My 2019 Goals

Thanks to Jeff Goins and his 500 words a day challenge, my 2019 writing goals have got off to a good start. One of the prompts I was given last week was simply to make a list of what I would like to achieve this year. As I have surprisingly not yet written my regular resolutions post for the New Year I thought that the best list I could make would be one full of resolutions.

I have to admit though, I don’t like the word resolutions. I feel like just by calling it a resolution, the option of not actually turning it into a reality is more likely.  So many people fail at resolutions. Why do you think they make them every year?

So let’s not call them resolutions, let’s call them goals, my goals for the year that I will turn 30. A big step for me and a new and exciting chapter for my life abroad!

1. Get a draft of my book done

I’ve always said I’d would write a book by the time I’m 30 and with my birthday fast-approaching in just a mere 3 and a half months, I might have to rethink that goal. However, rethinking it doesn’t mean disregarding it. I’ll just have to adjust my goal and aim to finish the first draft of the book by summer. And who knows, maybe even finalise it by the end of the year! What an achievement that would be. Jeff Goins 500 words a day has already gone a long way in showing me that 15,000 words a month IS doable. Something that on the face of it, seems impossible.

Click here to learn more about the 500 word challenge.

2. Travel to new and exciting places

I’m sure everyone has this goal every year but this year is a little different for me. My other half has been pushing me to go more and more outside of my comfort zone (5 star hotels and luxury bathrooms) towards backpacking and sleeping under the stars. The younger me wouldn’t have considered this but with age, comes wisdom, and this year it’s time to break the mould.

3. Help to make our house a home

Last December we bought a flat, right in time for the New Year. As we already lived in it we were lucky enough to not have to move. I would however like to start to get settled. Sometimes I feel like we are still renting. This is largely due to the fact that a lot of our furniture is cheap Ikea crap. This year I want to use some of our savings to buy some beautiful furniture and spruce up the place. I want to feel at home in our new home.

4. Make sure my sister has the best wedding possible

My sister’s getting married this year and as the older sibling I feel it is my duty to make sure she’s as happy as possible on her wedding day. I’ve been to too many weddings where the bride is really stressed out and I don’t want that for her.  It’s supposed to be the happiest day of your life and I’ll do everything I can to make sure that it’s hers.

5. Spend more time with family and friends

I’m already a very sociable person with friends often joking about my hectic and constantly full to the brim schedule. BUT this year I want to spend more real time with my friends and family. Too often our eyes fall onto our phones and we forget to just be with each other. I admit it’s often me who can’t help checking my phone for a cheeky Instagram update, but it has to stop. When I’m with people I want to be with them, not zoning in and out because of social media.

6. Keep my blog going and growing

My blog has continued to grow over the years but this year I would love it to really take off. It would be a dream if I could get to 10,000 monthly views, that’s my goal. Writing on my blog and specifically helping and advising other expats is something I really enjoy. I hope that this year I can get the word out and bring more people to my site.

So there you have it! I’m sure I could think of more but these are the things I really want to achieve this year. And who knows, maybe I’ll complete them all and have time to add a few more! Anyway, let’s see what 2019 has in store…

7. And last but certainly not least; become French

Some of you might think this is a strange thing to have as a goal but for me it’s not just that, it’s a lifelong dream. I’ve never felt particularly at home in England and the first time I ever visited France I knew I was where I was supposed to be. I don’t know how to explain it but I always felt French. Even back when I couldn’t order a croissant and coffee. It’s as if I was French in a past life! It would mean so much to me to become a French citizen. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that after my interview in May I’ll finally no longer be a faux Parisienne.