It's Never Too Late For A Few More Goals

I have a huge thing for goals, resolutions, lists, rules (channeling that Hermione Granger vibe). I set myself new goals pretty frequently; get up earlier, try cut down on salt, swear less etc etc. And because of that I've always found New Years Resolutions kind of strange, because I do it almost every day? Lately I've found myself setting and resetting goals almost every other day, purely because the real world hit pretty hard this year and with a full time job came the lack of attention payed to my fitness, my nutrition, my pretty much everything. Don't get me wrong- I still loved my runs, my steamed broc and those self care days. But truthfully the dedication to fitness was very infrequent, the reliance on a quick meal always favoured the nutritional value of it, and just my general mindfulness of what I was doing in my day and my motivations behind the actions, totally gone.

I ate meals out of tupperware- ate is a long shot, inhaled is more accurate- in between customers and to-do lists. I showered as quickly as possible (#waterwarrior) after a measly 25 minute workout of half-hearted lunges and a few squats. I dressed comfortably, somehow avoiding wearing sweatpants to work, but still not really putting effort in. Overall, inspiration in my daily doings lacked, and convenience took favour.

But this is why I love holidays. I always see holidays as my reset button. No matter how long I am away from the real world for- I come back with a fresh face, a new approach, and a bucket-load of inspiration. And I should bloody well hope I do after this two month holiday I've been on!

So with the end of my two month sabbatical looming, I've been thinking long and hard about how I want to approach the last four months of this year. I'm diving straight into an even more full-time and full-energy job, coming home to a total image relaunch and social media boom which will have to be my baby. And with that daunting shadow lurking outside the International Arrivals gate, I'm having to seriously focus on what else I want from 2018. I was somewhat inspired by Cornelia Grimsmo posting a Youtube video about her vision board process, and decided to make my own. Alas, being on a tropical holiday on an Indonesian island leaves you somewhat short of craft supplies and a printer- so being the digital addict I am, I've made a Pinterest board. Which I have even further compartmentalised into each category of my goals for the rest of the year. So organised. So soothing.

My Vision Board can be broken down into Fitness, Nutrition, Manifestation, Attire, and Mindfulness & Minimalism. I'll explain;

Fitness:

This is a tough one for me because I very genuinely have set and reset fitness goals throughout the year and I've struggled so much to balance my time between work, socialising, fitness, and my own mental health. I've gone from having 16 hours of the day as a uni student to do whatever I want, to having a full time job wherein two and a half hours feature me in transit to or from work, 10 hours at work, and the extra 3.5 hours to exercise, cook meals, socialise, follow basic human hygiene practises, and blink a couple times.

I've been into fitness and exercise since 2013 and it's something that I fell in love with and was proud of myself for. While I've gone through almost every fitness phase one can, short of doing cross fit or Iron Man, I know that I truly connected to certain exercises and activities. Therefore;

GOAL: Run more frequently and for longer periods- remember the times you would grin through a run // Yoga at least four times a week- get bendy and sweaty and centred af // Swim when running just is not going to happen. Fall back in love with endorphins and sweat and panting.

Nutrition:

Alongside the adoption of fitness in 2013, I became extremely interested in nutrition and following an excessively healthy diet. While I pride myself now for being far more balanced, and enjoying gelato now and then, I do want to get back into making colourful, nutritious meals as opposed to throwing rice in the microwave and cooking broccoli and essentially calling that dinner. While, with my schedule, that will require a lot more meal prepping and time focusing on food, I really miss how much I enjoyed my colourful nourish bowls and really want to get that love for cooking back.

GOAL: Nourish bowls! Variety! Veggies! Greens! Even MORE variety!

Manifestation:

I always talk about how one day I will live in Paris for a year, or how I'll study a Masters in English at Harvard, or roadtrip through New Zealand. These have always been dreams for me, realities lived by me in another life called One Day. But this two month trip has seriously realigned my mindset when it comes to chasing the life you want. I booked flight tickets spontaneously, hustled an agreement with work, and shipped off to the UK, Vietnam, and Indo for two months. And only sat back last night and pinched myself thinking "how am I even here". My bucket list was always for when I was established, had the funds, had the job, had the future I will never stop chasing until I stop and look. But now I've realised that I can make these ideals realities. An older friend once said to me "Get on the plane because the desk job will always be there when you come back, whenever that is." And it really stuck. I like routine. I like structure. I don't hate my real world in the slightest. But to decide in essentially my final semester of uni that I wasn't going to study further yet, that I was going to work and experience a bit of the real world outside of day drinking and study sessions- it was very unlike me. And boy am I bloody happy I did it.

I really believe in manifestation. Obviously get off your ass and chase the life you want, but dream about it, speak about it, write about it- focus a large portion of your energy towards it and I can assure you, it will happen.

GOAL(S): Southern Africa Road Trip: within the year // New Zealand: 2020 // Apply to study overseas and if I get in; go. Also: go outside more- take myself to the beach, go for a walk, eat breakfast outside, make my own adventures.

Attire:

This is going to be a weird one for some. But hear me out. I've been backpacking for a month, on a beach island for the past two weeks, and in general holiday mode since early June. The self control to not arrive at work in sandals, ripped shorts, and my swimsuit on needs to be high. I work in fashion. I love fashion. I want to one day make it my career in some capacity. But I get bloody lazy when it hasn't stopped raining for two weeks or the sun is just a little too hot right now- and I throw on pretty much anything my hand reaches for. I feel like I am somewhat establishing my own personal style and I want to hone in on it. I've managed to collect some truly beautiful pieces in my travels and I need to do them justice people!

GOAL: Put effort into every outfit and be the person you would usually look at and think "wow they look good today". (Side bar: this doesn't include make up- I refuse to wear a full face of make up every day and you will not change that easily)

Mindfulness and Minimalism:

If this holiday has taught me anything it is that I have a shopping problem- as if I didn't already know that. I've bought so much that not only am I having to budget meals and accommodation more than I had to at uni, but I'm concerned about having to leave things behind when I fly home. Problematic. But the huge plus side is that by travelling the past two months with the limited clothing I packed for myself, I have realised that all the clothing I left back home- I clearly do not need. I am a clothing hoarder, as much as I clear out my closet at least four times a year; I still manage to have too much and replace the purged items soon after. So I have very excitedly been planning along this whole trip to excavate my closet and throw out as much as necessary and possible. Sure, I have been in summer so the winter things might be saved for now- but do I really need 3 grey camis and just as many white t-shirts? I think not.

I've also realised, in having to carry my possessions in a backpack across international borders, that I am an over prepared over packer. In other words, if you come down with any ailment, be it anything from dry hair to Bali Belly, I have packed the goods for it. Which to a certain degree is great- but I packed three different leave in conditioners guys. I have a problem. I just need to learn that the things I think are necessary, really are not. Excess is dangerous and to live simply is healthy for your mind (and at this stage, my back).

GOAL: clear out closet of the things I clearly haven't needed for two months and therefore won't for the next four // practice daily minimalism // be mindful in actions; eating, walking, showering, be in the moment and aware.

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So this was definitely a much longer post, the longest in a while. But I really enjoy this goal setting thing, and I'm hoping I head back home with the unearthed enthusiasm of a 'New Year" and a new approach to the next four months. I also hope that by putting it on here and out into the universe, I'll manifest my achievement of it all, and hold myself accountable!