With all the big changes that happened last year (moving, getting married, starting this blog, etc.), it felt so nice to take the last week of 2018 to really reflect and set my intentions for 2019. I don’t think I’ve really slowed down last year so it was nice to be able to step away from my computer and even my phone. I spent my break with my family. We went on adventures together and ate everything we wanted. It was so much fun. I haven’t felt that at peace for months. No self doubt or worries, just pure happiness and relaxation.
A little background story, I went through really rough waves of depression and crippling anxiety attacks last year. I didn’t know who I was or who I want to become. I’m the type of person who always has a Plan A, B and C for everything but not this time. I didn’t find joy in my motivation to go up in position anymore. I felt so lost when I realized what I’m working towards isn’t what I really want anymore. Having no direction or motivation was the most troubling part for me. I’ve realized that there’s really nothing worse than losing faith in yourself. After college, I think I’ve been laser focused on climbing the career ladder that I forgot to find out what my true purpose is.
In the end, I realized that I’m chasing a dream that’s based in society’s version of success and not what matters to me.
Losing myself last year might be setting up all the greatness that’s about to happen this year. I want to stop living in others’ expectation of me and start living authentically. Who am I? Knowing who I truly am will help me understand what I want.
So I asked myself:
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What kind of life do I want?
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If I can do anything, what would it be?
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If I can have anything, what would it be?
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If I have to spend many hours with someone, who would it be?
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If I can do something for fun what would it be?
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If I can help someone who would it be?
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What do I want more of?
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What do I want less of?
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If I can get lost working on something, what would it be?
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What will it take to live a full life?
After writing down all the answers to all these questions, it became clear to me what my intentions are for 2019:
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Stop caring about others’ judgments
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Treat myself
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Create freely
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Live authentically/simply
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Financial freedom
After this quick self discovery exercise, I learned that the things I wanted were more than what’s on the surface. Getting a new title or a raise was not what I’m really after. I wanted what I thought those two things offered: freedom to design/share my design knowledge and financial freedom.
I’ve decided that I need to stop making excuses by waiting for things to happen to me, I need to make it happen for myself.
This also helped me understand clearly where I want to take this blog and what “simplifying life” really mean. I want to use this platform to inspire others to love oneself and find joy in living simply while respecting the environment. I want to explore what it’s like to take time for myself. I want to do what makes me feel relaxed and creative.
Trying to keep up with the affiliate marketing of the blogging world was just too overwhelming so I’ve decided to let go of that commanding presence. I’ve accepted that I was not ready and will try again later. I’m no longer affiliated with Amazon and other brands. I will be focusing more of my own content and talking about the things I care about without the looming pressure. I will still talk about the products I love of course, just won’t have the convenience of knowing upcoming promotions and access to photo libraries.
Phew, I hate failure but I’m ok to let it go. IT’S OK. I will be ok. Everything will be fine. 🙂
I will share more of my design knowledge on this blog and I will open an Etsy account to sell my printables, branding packages and greeting cards. I want to create design tools for bloggers and help simplifying the process of starting a blog. I’ve decided to create financial freedom for myself so I will start documenting my Total Money Makeover debt-free journey and minimalism.
Excited to get started and stop worrying about being a newbie in the blog world.
I have to remember that Consistency > Perfection
I hope that the questions above will help you find the answers you need to help you set your intentions for 2019.
Happy new year! Thank you for reading.
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