New Year, More Growth // 2017 Goals

So, it's finally 2017. Some are calling it the year of Trump, or the start of The Hunger Games. Same thing. Personally, this year has started off with some amazing new changes for me. Not only did I make the leap into a new job where I'm writing full time (I'm a newly branded copywriter), but I've been blindsided by other unexpected, yet beautiful new developments.

I've never been one for making New Year's resolutions, because those tend to cause anxiety and trigger a sense of failure – and let's be honest, most are thinly veiled, so I would rather make some goals for the year. Some are things I will continue to conquer, like I do everyday, and some are brand new.

Last year, I made enormous strides with my anxiety. Starting last June, I made the decision to start attending therapy and it's been the greatest decision of my life to date. I was already slightly self-aware going in, but now it's like night and day. Even my therapist has noticed a significant change in the way I've been viewing myself and the situations around me, and I couldn't be more proud of myself. I've gone from sobbing when my therapist looked me in the eye and told me, "you are good enough," to confidently telling her in a session that I deeply believe I'm worthy of happiness and love. It's been a seriously long journey, and there's no chance of me giving up now. I will always be a work in progress, but I can't wait to see where life and my new found confidence takes me.

I've received several different compliments this year from people close to me, and not so close to me, that I'm fearlessly myself, regardless of what situation or social setting I'm in. I've always prided myself on this fact, and not only do I plan to continue maintaining this attitude in the New Year, I plan to be kinder to myself. I'm intensely hard on myself and it's time to cut me some slack. Everyday, I'm doing the best I can – and that's enough.

This is a big one. In therapy this year, and more recently, I've learned that I need to establish some clear boundaries when it comes to individuals who trigger my anxiety. Whether that be family or friends, I need to distance myself when my emotions aren't being respected or recognized. In the past, I've always felt compelled to please the people around me, but in going to therapy and growing into myself, I realize that there is no one to please but myself. If I spend all my time trying to make everyone else around me happy, I'll just be anxious and and have zero time for myself. 2017 is the year I remove myself from relationships that do not feed my soul and help me grow into the person I know I'm capable of becoming. 

  Over Christmas, I went to Big Sur with my dad. It was a spontaneous trip, but one I'll never forget. There's nothing quite like spending your a holiday with your favorite person in the world. All we did was hang out, read, walk among the trees, and eat. It. Was. Glorious. While we were there, we explored Carmel, an adorable little town nearby and of course, I was drawn into a writing shop where they sold gorgeous leather bound journals. My dad decided to get me a Christmas present, so now I own one of those treasures. I christened it my travel journal of 2017, starting with our trip to Big Sur. I plan to fill up that journal with many memorable moments and adventures this year.

This one isn't quite as romantic, but it's necessary. I've never been very skilled at cooking (I burned soup once. Seriously.) At my previous job, we had free lunch everyday (boy, do I miss that) and now at my new job, that's not the case. However, I see it as a blessing in disguise because this is how I will learn to cook better. For the New Year, I ordered my first Blue Apron, and I'm excited, but also slightly nervous, to begin this challenge into the culinary world. I guess I gotta grow up at some point....although, I will always consider a quesadilla and avocados a balanced meal.


Welp, those are my goals for 2017. What are yours? Share them with me in the comments!