Ok I am honestly super excited for 2019. 2017 was rough. 2018 started out challenging, but I feel like I caught a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel there at the end. And right now, 2019 is looking pretty promising.
I guess if I had to sum up 2018 in one word, I would say it was eye-opening. It taught me a lot about what I want out of life and even more so what I don’t want and won’t settle for. I learned where my passions lie. I had a lot of wonderful experiences and a handful of difficult ones too. I made some great friends, traveled some, paid off debt and never stopped dreaming.
As cliche as it sounds, I love the idea of a fresh start with a new year. I have a feeling 2019 is going to be full of positive changes. Obviously I can’t guarantee that, but I’m doing my best to speak it into existence 🙂 Chasing dreams. Removing toxic habits and people. Taking risks. Trying new things. I’m going to stop making excuses and start taking action on the things I want. Really find what makes me happy. This year needs to be about growth for me and I’m committing myself to that. I refuse to remain the same any longer. I don’t want to look back a year from now and wish I would have done more.
I love the quote “A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there”. That is so incredibly true. It’s easy to become complacent and fall into a life of finding your comfort zone and never leaving it. I’m so guilty of doing that over the last few years which I realize I need to change. I am over feeling like I’m not truly living, but rather just getting by. With all of that said, I am making some major (and exciting!) changes in 2019! Happiness and time well spent are going to be two major priorities for me along with a few other things…
College
One major step I am taking in 2019 is going back to school! I got my Associate’s years ago, but even that was a struggle. At the time, I was fresh out of high school with no idea about what I wanted to do with my life. I was more concerned with having a social life and I didn’t feel like I had any real direction on where school was taking me so it was hard for me to give it 100%. During my second year, I moved away which helped me focus and do better, but when I was done, I still didn’t know what I wanted to do career-wise so I didn’t go on to get my Bachelor’s. Instead, I got a job and have been working full time ever since. Somewhere in there, I started working a part time job too which hasn’t left me with much free time in the last few years.
I always told myself I would go back to school, but the more time that passed, the less realistic that goal became. Now between jobs, blogging, family life and maintaining a (minimal) social life, it has seemed all but impossible. Recently, I got to thinking more and more about it and it just feels like now is the time. It’s like having a kid. Are you ever really ready? No, but you’ll make it work regardless. I’ve made many excuses over the years. I didn’t think I could afford it. I didn’t think I would have the time to commit. And I have a job – what do I really need a degree for? The list goes on.
While I am grateful for my jobs, they are just that – jobs. Something to pay the bills and nothing I am passionate about. I think that has become so evident to me in the last few months which is really the reason why I’m finally feeling motivated to get back to school. I can’t fathom living the rest of my life dreading 40+ hours of my week. I can’t imagine spending all of that time doing something I could care less about and continuing to only be able to give a sliver of what’s left over of my creative energy after a 12 hour work day to something I actually want to do. To have my income capped based on raises being withheld and employers determining my worth. I am tired of wishing away the work week just to get to the weekend, only to repeat the cycle the next week. For me, that’s no way to live and that has become extremely apparent to me. So I’ve decided to do something about it.
The reality is that you will never regret having an education (even if it seems like just an expensive piece of paper). So many jobs nowadays prefer or require you to have a degree, especially if you want to be making more money. I’m definitely not looking forward to having student loans, but when all is said and done, I know I will be so proud of myself and it’s going to bring me one step closer to building my dream career, whether that be working for a company I love or even starting my own. I’m honestly probably going to be stressed and tired for the next two years or so, but actually wanting to go to school rather than it being a post high school obligation has me feeling driven. I know that I can and will succeed. I’m honestly excited!
Work Less, Blog More
I have some debt I want to finish paying off and then in a few months, I also plan to leave my part time job. I don’t work there a lot, but it’s enough that it’s taking away too much of my time that needs to be focused elsewhere. Also, the amount that I’m making is just not worth it for me to stay. I’ll have to cut back a little for a while, but honestly I know I am going to feel so relieved and cutting out a few trips to Starbucks and dining out a few less times a month won’t kill me. I will be less stressed and so much happier filling my time with things that I truly enjoy. This will give me more time to focus on both school and my blog which are two very important things to me.
With that said, I really hope to take my blog to the next level in the coming year. I have been able to do so many amazing things with it this past year and I just really can’t wait to see how I continue to grow it. I have picked up photography (and I’m loving it!), become a better writer and have received so many great opportunities. I have so much I plan to accomplish and I am excited to keep growing as a person, as a writer and as a creator and if you’re reading this, I can’t wait to have you along for the ride!
Travel More
I don’t think we traveled anywhere in 2017, but this year we got to take a few trips and it reminded me how much I love to travel and how good it is for your soul to just get away. It is so refreshing, even if it’s just for a night. My goal for 2019 is to travel more and experience more. There’s so much more out there beyond this small town and I hope to soak in as much as I can.
Pay Off Debt
This is going to be a tough one, but I actually made quite a bit of progress with it in 2018 and I want to carry that over into the new year. You may be wondering how I plan to do that after leaving a job and wanting to travel, but I believe I can do it with setting money aside and budgeting properly. I am all about finding a good deal, I coupon, etc. lol – I am convinced it can be done! 🙂 Chances are I won’t be able to pay my debt off in full yet, but I’m definitely going to keep plugging away at it.
Make My Health a Priority
I feel like I tell myself this every year, but this time I’m serious about it. I used to be fairly healthy, but I feel like I’ve really put that on the back burner over the last few years and I’m just not happy with where I’m at. I’m really going to work towards making the gym and eating right a priority. Reading more. Getting more sleep. Just overall being mindful of what I’m putting into my body and what I’m doing daily to improve my health and life in general.
If you’ve made it this far, I appreciate you reading about all my plans for the coming year! I’d love to know what your goals and plans are for 2019. Please let me know in the comments below!
Here’s to a great New Year!
XOXO,
Ashley
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