I have been umming and ahhing about doing a post like this, which is probably why it has taken me so long to write it. I mean, 2020 was just the worst for everybody so I thought there was no point going through the year like I usually like to, but I also wanted to jot my thoughts down on some of the positives that actually happened for me (surprisingly there are some), even for my own peace of mind really. I am sat here in the midst of yet another lockdown feeling glum, so I’m hoping that having a little reflective session will help me out a little. Equally, I still want to set myself some goals. They’re not exactly going to be ‘visit as many places as you can between January and February’ but I still want to set myself something to work towards this year. As we are a couple of weeks into January before I am setting them, you can probably tell I won’t be super strict but it’s a start I suppose.
Last year…
As we all know 2020 was just…shit. I could go on and on for days about how utterly rubbish it was, but I just don’t have it in me. The obvious COVID situation aside, there were so many other events in 2020 that just made everything a million times worse. People go through so much more than what they share online and this can definitely be forgotten sometimes. Anyway, some good things did come out of last year for me.
Frank
The best thing to come out of 2020 was my little Frankie. I actually feel so emotional even typing this whilst he is sat snoring away next to me. Lewis and I had spoken about getting a dog for well over 10 years. We used to talk about moving out, getting 2 cats and a French Bulldog, pretty much when we first started going out, so maybe more 15 years then! Frank was the missing piece of the puzzle. I never in a million years thought we would be able to get him this year, but with working from home, everything just clicked into place. I cried the day we got him and have probably cried every day since. Don’t get me wrong, he can be the naughtiest little toad but the way he looks into my eyes when he gives me a cuddle, I have well and truly melted. When the worst thing happened last year, Frank was there ready to give me a cuddle and I will be forever grateful for my bestie. The way he just gets on with the cats as well, it couldn’t be more perfect. I say cats, Misty adores him, it is just the cutest and Meowth doesn’t really like anyone but me and the bed, so I tell him not to take that one personally.
Appreciating the little things
I know I won’t be the first to say that 2020 allowed for a lot of reflection time. I mean, what else was there to do! Something it did teach me was to appreciate the little things in life more. Everyday things that I really took for granted that all of a sudden I couldn’t do anymore, seeing family and friends whenever I wanted, just popping out to the shops because I could, little things that I just miss now. I have really enjoyed spending more time at home though. The amount of time Lewis and I have been able to spend together has been lovely and definitely something that has got me through these past few months. There has been times where I have wanted to throttle him, don’t get me wrong but most of all it has been lovely. I also think working whilst having a cat sat on your lap should be made compulsory, as it has been lovely to get my jobs done with the kitties snuggling on me, something else which has got me through the days, I just love them.
Now I know I have been in such a fortunate position over the past year compared to some and I just want to send love to you all. Everybody has really been through it in 2020, so I think we all need to learn not to be hard on ourselves.
This year…
In all honesty, my goals this year are going to be pretty much the same as the ones I set myself at the beginning of 2020. Not because I didn’t achieve them, but more that I like to use them as guidance really and I find I never achieve super strict goals anyway. The things that I want to work on this year are:
1 – Healthy Eating – I did really well at this before and then 2020 happened and I couldn’t make a cup of tea without grabbing a few biscuits. I want to start eating better again this year as I’m starting to feel super groggy with all this comfort food.
2 – Grow Instagram –I started working on this properly towards the end of last year and I think I may be getting there slowly but surely. I say that, but something will change in the next week and I will be back to square one again.
3 – Experiment with Makeup More – I have lost my makeup mojo a little in lockdown. I started off really enthusiastic but as time has gone on, you will be lucky if I pop a tinted moisturiser on. I’m hoping to get my oomph back and play around a lot more.
4 – Post At A Regular Schedule – I really want to get back into blogging regularly. It is one thing that has kept me sane in lockdown, but I let it slip a little. I’m hoping by planning everything out again I can get my motivation back.
5 – Work With More Brands – This one links to number 4 and I hope by posting regularly and getting back into blogging properly, I can work with more lovely brands.
6 – Work on Confidence – I don’t know if this is a lockdown thing or what, but my confidence has completely shrunk. When I had coloured hair, I definitely loved myself a lot more but now I am back to my natural colour, I just feel meh and it shows. It is something that I really want to work on this year.
7 – Continue to appreciate the little things – As I said before, I am definitely appreciating the little things a lot more. I want to continue this well into this year and beyond.
Hopefully these goals will help with my growth, both personally and with my blog, but after this last year, the only real goal I have is to look after myself!
Sending you all the love and good vibes for this year ahead. It is rubbish now, but things eventually will get better. I would love to hear some positives that you have had in the last year too, please share them in the comments. ❤
