Ten Goals to Make 2019 the Best Year Yet

Happy New Year, friends!!! It’s three days into January and I can’t tell you how productive I’ve already been. I have a really good feeling about this year. And I mean a really good feeling. I wasn’t going to do a “New Years resolutions” post, simply because I really don’t feel like there are that many people out there who really care what my resolutions are! Haha! I’m not trying to be self-deprecating at all – that’s just a fact! But also, if I’m being real, I’ve kind of tried to steer clear of “resolutions” in the typical sense this year. Instead, I’m focusing on specific (or maybe a tiny bit vague) goals that I’d like to work toward/achieve!

It seems like so much of the time our resolve is super strong in January, but by June (or probably more often by February) all dedication to change is gone. We sink back into our familiar, easy ways, whether that be ordering takeout for dinner every night, skipping the gym more often than not, opening Netflix and letting the books gather dust, you name it. It’s way less work to just let those resolutions fall by the wayside – quietly, though. Wouldn’t want to let anyone know you “failed.” 😉 For me, I have so much more incentive to keep on keeping on when I have a goal I’m running toward, full speed!

SO instead of keeping my goals to myself, I thought I’d share them with the world in the hopes of being held accountable! They may not be the same as the goals you’ve set for yourself, and that’s perfectly peachy. But if you’re still struggling to figure out what you want to change – and I mean really change – this year, here’s to hoping you find some inspiration below. After some outfit pics, of course.

Sweater is sold out, but here’s the closest thing I could find (if you’re into spending a lot of money on sweaters) // jeans // shoes // similar bag (I got mine at a Ross so can’t link the exact one) // similar earrings (I’ve had these since high school)

1. Read the entire Bible.

It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and I’ve started many times. But I think I’ve finally got the discipline to do it!

2. Cultivate a better prayer life/relationship with God.

Since graduating college, I have gotten so much better about trusting God to take care of me, no matter what. I know He’s got my back, in every aspect of my life. He provides. Over and over. But I am so incredibly unworthy of his never-ending blessings. When I do pray, 95% of the time it is because I need something. Wisdom. Guidance. Patience. Healing. It is almost never because I just want to talk to Him and let Him know what’s on my heart. Thank Him for letting me live another day on this earth. I yearn for a closer relationship with my Creator, and my goal is to develop one – no matter how “hard” it might be.

3. Drink 8+ cups of water a day.

I’ve never been much of a soda or tea drinker, so this one isn’t going to be THAT hard. I pretty much only drink water and coffee, but my problem is drinking enough water. There are plenty of apps out there to track this and send reminders, which is what I need, so I plan on downloading one ASAP!

4. Travel more.

In 2018, I spent some time in Austin, NYC, Los Angeles, New Mexico, and Hawaii. All places I’d never spent much time (or any) in before! My goal for this year is to make as many travel plans as I can financially handle. Haha! I’ve already got a possible 3 week road trip to several national parks and possibly Canada in the works, so I’m well on my way to achieving this goal already!

5. Develop a morning routine.

I’ve desperately longed to be a morning person for as long as I can remember. But alas, I have always been a night owl! It’s when I am most productive. After everyone else is asleep, that’s when I can finally get my thoughts in order and get stuff DONE. However, I am also fully aware of the effects of less than 8 hours of sleep a night. And I have just heard too many positive things about getting up early and crushing it before most people even make it to work! So here’s to really developing a solid morning routine (I’m talking 6:30 am morning) – prayer, water, maybe some yoga or a run once it gets warmer. Whatever I end up deciding works best for me! Speaking of which, I also want to…

6. Give running a real shot.

Many a time I have tried to become a “runner.” I’ve made it a couple of months in the past before getting tired of it and quitting. But NOT THIS YEAR, BABY. Once again, I have too many friends who have completely changed their lives by developing a love for the activity I have loathed for years. I would really like to be able to run (not run/walk) a half marathon by the end of 2019!

7. Always strive to improve – in every area of life.

To quote Dave Stutman, “Complacency is the enemy of progress.” I never ever want to feel like I can no longer grow or improve. As a friend, as a Christian, as a blogger, as anything! It is so important to realize that there is always room for improvement. So here’s to a year of growth!

8. Be bolder.

Kind of going along with that, I want to focus on something that has always been hard for me, in some ways at least. In college, I became so much bolder – especially when it came to making new friends or being open and personable to strangers. Even in performing, I developed a much greater amount of self-respect and confidence. But it’s a lot easier to be confident when you’re succeeding. When you’ve had training.

Blogging is something I didn’t train for. It’s a hobby that I am working towards building into a career. There’s no degree in being a social media influencer. Haha! Which is why I’ve had this blog up and running for over 7 months and have yet to reach out to a single brand. I keep saying “once I get a little more traction” or “once I hit X amount of page views or Instagram followers.” But why? I have so much to offer already! I’ve poured my heart and soul into this little corner of the web and I would work so incredibly hard for any brand I partnered with. But fear of rejection continues to squash me down, convincing me to wait. And wait. And wait.

This year, no more waiting. I’ve already made a list of brands I would love to work with, and I plan on sending out emails next week! It’s time to stop downplaying my strengths and start being bolder.

9. Try 5 new things.

I don’t know what they’ll be. But I’m going to make a list! And I will keep everyone updated as I try each one, believe me! I think yoga might be the first, but we shall see.

10. Place my trust in God – not in myself.

I said earlier that I’ve gotten a lot better about trusting God, and that’s true! But I still have so many times where doubt creeps in and my trust starts to crack. As I try to figure out where I’m moving next, what job I’ll get until I DO make blogging my full time source of income. I have so many other questions and stresses that weigh on me day after day. Completely forgetting that I am not in control. God is holding my hand every step of the way. I don’t have to figure everything out on my own.

It’s a tough thing to remember, but it’s the truth. And I’m going to try my very hardest to trust that He’s got this. Always. 🙂

Now, I’m being serious when I say I want you to hold me accountable! Slide into my Instagram DMs and ask me what I did today in order to achieve my goals. Ask me again 3 months from now. 6 months. Tell me your goals and I’ll do the same for you! In the words of the High School Musical cast…

We’re all in this together 😉

lol I don’t even like HSM I’m so sorry byyyyyyeeee

Candidly,

Kristianna