New Years Eve is my favorite holiday.

I love reading other people’s goals. I love hearing how people want to better themselves and aim for their highest potential. New Years holds hope and endless possibilities. People forget the shortcomings of the previous year and search their hearts for what they really, really want to come true in their life.

Looking back on the previous year is also one of my favorite things to do as well. Reading my blog post exactly like this one from last year (I have 3 posts like this… I’ve been blogging this long?! So crazy!!!) and thinking about what I know now that I didn’t know then, what I would go back and tell myself… Let’s reflect.

In 2018 I…
+ Changed my blog name to something that describes my passions better than my previous name.
+ Moved back to California.
+ Lost my job and found a new one that activates all of my strengths and allows me to grow and shine in ways I never have been able to at a job.
+ Became single and stayed single. For better or worse, this is where my life is at and there are some truly wonderful parts about being single and learning to be alone and learning to love me. I hope that everyone gets to experience what this feels like! Relationships are about two WHOLE people coming together, and before this, I am not sure I would have been able to bring that to the table.
+ Dove into photography and decided to give it my all and have begun to see the fruits of that. I love meeting new people and capturing them SO much and I can’t wait to see where that takes me in 2019.
+ Decided to get rid of all of the food that was weighing me down and making me feel like crap. It was hard, it still is hard, but I am not giving up.
+ Kept up with spin classes, kept working my body, kept proving to myself that I have determination, motivation, and self-control.
+ I have taken steps towards humility and bettering myself, getting rid of the negative parts, and learning to love myself even more and listen to others feedback in order to grow.

I am going to be 100% transparent and vulnerable here, I was happier at the end of last year than I am at the end of this year. But I think that that actually is a good thing. I think that this year, Jesus is teaching me that without him, there is no point in having anything, really. That my satisfaction, desires, and joy can only come from him. Lifes pieces are constantly going to be moving, but He stands firm amidst the movement. That doesn’t mean that I am not allowed to feel the differences between these two years and examine where my heart was at and where it now. And how my longings really haven’t changed much. If I have learned anything this past year, it is to cherish literally every, single moment and enjoy those who are walking through life with you.

Turning 25 was definitely a milestone for me that I wasn’t looking forward to. But after it came and went, I have begun to relish in this age and this year. But with getting older, there is a lot of wisdom that comes. And being older is actually really, really fun. You have your own money to spend (and save), you (hopefully) get to get up every morning and do something that you love every single day, and you know more of what you want in life, at least I do.

I think that “resolutions” are a bit of a daunting term. I think they are great and super aspirational, but still ominous. Filled with the expectation of failure, in my opinion. I am splitting up my “resolutions” into different terms. Commitments, goals, and dreams. Commitments are the things that are non-negotiable. I think that every new day is a new start and you don’t have to wait until the New Year to begin creating better habits, but it’s definitely a good place to start, and great motivation for me. Goals are more fun things that I want to accomplish or do in the next year and beyond. Dreams are the things that I am going to work towards, that I am going to put all of my time and heart into beause they matter to me.

Commitments
+ I commit to starting each day in the Word. Whether that be simply reading the verse of the day, or diving into a couple chapters with a cup of coffee and Boston.
+ I commit to being less critical and judgemental of those around me and of myself.
+ I commit to saving more, getting rid of debt, and doing less thoughtless spending.
+ I commit to my “food is fuel” journey and maintaining/expanding my health.
+ I commit to relentlessly pursuing photography and giving it my all.
+ I commit to listening more and talking less.

Goals
+ Write more: blog and journal.
+ Read more books.
+ Be just a *little* more laid back 😉
+ Learn more. Maybe take a course or find some topics to research and become an expert in them.
+ Explore more hobbies and find a few to consistently do.
+ Stop comparing myself to others. No one is walking in my shoes, or I in theirs.
+ Creatively inspire others.
+ Procrastinate less on the things that are really important.
+ Expand my network.
+ Volunteer more.
+ Share my style in a genuine way.

Dreams
+ Photograph the coolest clients. In the coolest places. While being paid for it.
+ Work with big brands that share my vision and help others.
+ Travel places that I have never been.
+ Meet awesome people and listen, then share their stories.

What are your goals? What are your dreams? What are you committing to this new year? Dream BIG and aim for the moon. Push yourself to places you didn’t think you could go. You will be surprised where you end up.