Happy New Year!! 2018, its 2018! Can someone explain how that happened! It feels like 2017 was a blur with the rate it’s passed us by, I don’t remember a year having ever gone over as quickly as the last. I do hope 2018 will be at a more steady pace. I always have mixed feelings about going into January. I absolutely love the festive period and it is without doubt my favourite time of the year, the arrival of January signifies the end of that for me. I definitely find January and February a struggle which ever way I look at. I find that beginning a new year with fresh goals and focus help to keep me moving forward and not dwelling too much on the end of the festivities.
I’m a firm believer of setting goals, I work best when I am working toward something and once I achieve it I can feel proud of myself and then push myself further by moving the finish line. For my own self growth I find this invaluable. For 2018 I am setting out some key focus areas which require different things from me, more lifestyle choices than anything else.
Adjust To A More Ethical Lifestyle
As far as being ethical goes I don’t feel like I do a bad job, I always recycle as much as I am able too, I rarely eat meat, I carry fabric bags with me when I go shopping to cut my plastic waste. I am sure anyone like myself who watched Blue Planet 2 would have been horrified to see our impact on the oceans. It really affected me to see what we as humans are responsible for.
I might only be one person, but if I can do my bit it all works towards a bigger picture. It’s all simple stuff we can all do such as, say no to the straw, buy cotton tips with card centre’s instead of plastic ones, use products that come in recycled bottles and that can be recycled, stop getting plastic carrier bags and opt for reusable fabric bags instead, buy a reusable take out cup for your coffees rather than get plastic coated ones. There are many things we can all do. Even ensuring we recycle everything we can and splitting our waste is a huge thing.
I am going to start to move more toward vegetarian / vegan options and try a more plant-based diet too. The areas I know will be a struggle for me will be dairy. I love milk and cheese so I’m hoping I will be able to find alternatives I will enjoy to swap them out. I will also now make better choices when it comes to products I get by opting for cruelty free options also.
Practice Better Self Care
This is a very broad goal for me this year. I want to of course improve my eating and ensure I get all of my veggies and what not, incorporate regular exercise with a view to being healthier and promote a healthy lifestyle, not just to lose weight. I have enjoyed eating as I please over the course of most of 2017, and I feel a bit lethargic and almost like my body isn’t running right.
The other is to try to better my self-care from a mental health point of view, more now than ever I am suffering with anxiety and I want to work toward trying to stop it. My plan is to get back into meditation, and to pick up yoga again, this combined with an overall healthier lifestyle I feel should go some way to helping with that.
Lastly, I want to take better care of my body physically too. Making sure I routinely exfoliate and moisturise after every shower. Use face masks twice a week along with my regular morning and evening skincare routine. Ensure I treat my hair to nourishing masks a couple of times a month also. I feel like I’ve really neglected these aspects over the past year so I am keen to put them right.
Do More Good
I saw a quote that read “All you can take with you is that which you’ve given away” and it has inspired me to be more giving and charitable and to generally try to do more good. I own so much, far more than I need so it is my first goal to be ruthless and declutter and donate everything to charities and women’s refuges, etc.
I also plan to make regular donations to food banks, women’s shelters, animal shelters, and blood donations too. I’d love to take part in some events to help raise money also such as the race for life, I can probably just about manage that length of a run! The pretty muddy event looks fun too but I don’t think I could deal with getting that filthy!
Save, save, save!
Not a strong point for me as money tends to burn a hole in my pocket! That and the fact that I feel like I need everything I see! This year I am going to make every effort to save as much as possible and hopefully with that and being more mindful of what I buy I should be able to put some money aside and do more things.
I did a post like this at the beginning of 2017 which you can read here also. See how my goals compare.
What are your goals for 2018? I’d love to know, I find it uplifting and inspiring to read them so feel free to drop me a comment below.
56 Comments
I really need to start saving too, and I definitely want to try and do some more good! Such lovely goals hun, wish you all the best for 2018!! 🙂
Erin || MakeErinOver
I am so with you on the self care, it can be so hard to find time to do little things but actually when you do them they make a huge difference! Also totally with you on the saving front!
Emma | Reverie de Paris
Great goals, and self care I think is one of mine this year too!
Good luck with your goals – saving more is one of my goals but it’s not going well so far…
http://www.ofbeautyandnothingness.co.uk
I love your goals for the year. Especially when it comes to doing your bit to saving our ocean animals. You’ve opened my eyes to a few of the small changes I can also make in my life to help protect them! Thank you x
I love this post! It’s inspired me to write down my own goals for the year. Good Luck with yours, especially saving money, its so hard to save isn’t it! theres too much temptation out there to spend £££.
B x
There are some brilliant goals here! I definitely agree that self care is so important! I have anxiety and find that when I’m kinder to myself, my anxiety is easier to control and I feel overall less stressed. I hope 2018 is a good year for you x
I 100% need to be saving more too!
You have such an amazing goals for this year! I joined to help an animal shelter last year, and Im so happy I did that, because helping is so amazing. Also I joined this post lovely xx
littlewritingworld.wordpress.com
I definitely work best when I have a clear goal too, it’s just so satisfying to see things ticked off your list! I am also transitioning into a more ethical lifestyle in 2018 with veganuary this month – I’m really enjoying it so far and discovering so many great plant based alternatives! Looking after yourself and giving yourself some much needed TLC is so important so I’m pleased to see that featuring on your list!
Abbey
http://www.abbeylouisarose.co.uk
I love that your goals are mainly about doing better things for yourself and the planet rather than just the standard ‘achieve this’. Saving is also on my list for this year too! x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
These are great goals! 💕 Self care is so important, it’s something I want to focus on this year too! ☺️ I’m not sure I’ll be able to manage the saving goal though he he 🙈. Fantastic post,and I love your photography, it’s so gorgeous! All the best for 2018 and hope you achieve everything you want to 💖 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
These are some really great goals! Self care is super important and something I’m also planning on focusing in 2018! Fab post!
Brilliant selection of goals. I especially love the Do More Good one, that’s something I’ve challenged myself to this year. I ran the marathon last year to raise money, and I’d love to do more things like that this year!
Hels xx
http://www.thehelsproject.com
Lovely photography! I need to do the self care, being a wife and mummy I tend to put myself last. I have recently fancied yoga and must make sure I look into this and try. We are trying to save too xx
Stacey | SimplyStacey.co.uk
Great goals 👍🏻 Self care is def high on my agenda for this year ❤️ Hood luck with your goals and a (Belated) Happy New Year!
I love reading all the goals posts everyone’s creating at the moment! It’s really got me thinking about what I want to achieve in 2018! You’re right though 2017 absolutely flew by!
I think self care is a great goal, its so easy to forget yourself when you lead a busy life! Good luck with your goals (especially saving cause that’s gonna be hard! Lol)
PaleGirlRambling xo
http://palegirlrambling.co.uk
Happy New year 🙂 your goals for 2018 are fab, do more good is a fantastic one, it’s something everyone could benefit from. I’m also trying to practice more self care this year, it’s so important. Good luck with all your goals.
Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk
I love all of your goals and they’re so honest and heartfelt. I too am trying to be a bit healthier and am going the vegetarian route (very slowly, starting with read meat / pork), I also want to lose some weight as I put on a bit last year thanks to some health issues. Thanks for inspiring with your own goals #TeacupClub
Shevy
http://moonsomnia.com
Happy New Year! These are all great goals! Also inspiring. I should have one of them for myself! Saving being on top of the list! xx corinne
First of all… your photography is beautiful! Secondly good luck with all of your goals for 2018 there are some great ones on here. I Haven’t set to many this year as I don’t want to put to much pressure on myself but after reading this I think I need to set some more ones for myself.
Hi, these are some great goals ther are lots of great dairy free cheeses to choose from nowI like Violife. I would love to save more as well, but spend it on holidays 🙈.
You’ve set such wonderful and positive goals. I too would like to gradually swap meals for more vegetarian options although it is such a big step. I’m also hoping to try and read at least 2 books per month which hopefully will hopefully be achievable. Wishing you a happy and well new year,
Zara xx
Some really great goals here – love reading these kind of posts.I haven’t set myself any 2018 goals yet.
http://ohduckydarling.com
My goals are pretty similar to yours to be honest! I’m doing veganuary at the moment as I feel like I’ve kinda lost my way with being ethical. When I was a teenager I tried really hard, but as I’ve got older I’ve seem to have forgotten what’s important a bit.
Also money… oh my goodness this is so hard! I’m usually quite good but Christmas destroyed my finances. I’ve made a spreadsheet and everything to try and sort it all out!
Good luck with your goals, I bet you smash it 🙂
I loved reading this blog post! I am all up for setting goals at the beginning of the year I feel it really helps to motivate you right from the beginning of the year. You have set some really good goals, I think self care is so important.
Steph x
stephhannam.wordpress.com
I also struggle with January. I always find it really hard to motivate myself to do anything! I think the practice better self care goal is a really good idea and it’s something I’m trying to do myself.
Eve x
I think this was such a lovely post! During my Christmas clean out I donated my clothes to charity and persons my gran knew were in need. And as far as ethical goes I think you’re doing a great job! 🙂
xx Lena | https://lenadeexo.com
lovely pictures and great goals, wishing you the best!
http://www.lifeascaitlin.co.uk/
I love your photography for this post! It’s so cute!
I need to save money too as I want to move some point this year, but I need money to do that 😂
Ciara | http://www.teatimewithciara.com
Great goals, I love reading other people’s hopes and dreams!
My goals are:
– Get more views on http://www.oddballcontent.com. Blog every week and create new content like interviews and how-to guides. At the moment I’ve just been reviewing bad kids’ TV! 📺
– Volunteer with hospital radio 📻
– Run a half marathon! 🏃♀️
I love this post! I’m also definitely one for setting goals for the new year. I really admire you for aiming to be more ethical, I think it’s something I want to try too! Saving as well, because I’ve never been good st saving!
Ashley | hiyaitsashley.com
2017 really did fly by! I usually really struggle with January and February too, but with our baby girl due in March, we have so much to plan for and sort out.
I love the goals that you’ve set. I try and recycle as much as possible and take the most ethical option when I can. While I need to use a straw to drink because of my wrists, I’ve got a few reusable ones that can go in the dishwasher, rather than using disposable ones each day. Something that really frustrates me though is the amount my area don’t let us recycle. It’s disgusting! My Mum always takes a bag of recycling home with her for us when she comes to stay, as her area will recycle so much more! Xx
Tania | When Tania Talks
Yes, it feels like 2017 just zipped right by!
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
I’m an idiot and hit submit too soon!
It really did feel like 2017 zipped by. One minute it was May and the next New Years Eve (:
I was gobsmacked by Blue Planet 2. It’s shocking to see what humans are doing to the earth so I’m trying harder this year too. More recycling, cutting down plastic waste, generally being more ethically minded.
It’s great that you’ll be donating blood! I wish so much that I could, but I have MS and it’s a condition that excludes you from giving blood 🙁
Have a fantastic 2018, you’re definitely off to a fantastic start with your goals.
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
I’m trying to save more this year. definitely putting myself on a spending ban
I love the idea of trying to live more ethically! I’ve definitely become more conscious of how much I throw away and giving things to a new home rather than throwing them out! I am so bad for forgetting to exfoliate and moisturise my body after a shower – think that might need to be one of my goals for this year too! x
I’m so with you on that first goal. I need to be as ethical as possible this year and think more before doing it! I haven’t set myself goals as such but I’ll definitely be doing this x
Such a lovely read! It’s always good to have goals to aim towards, especially when it comes to self care (:
Alys / alysgeorge.blogspot.co.uk
I know exactly how you feel. I love Christmas and I do like the idea of a fresh new year but Jan and Feb are a struggle. I’m definitely trying to be more ethical. My boyfriend is vegan so I eat a lot less meat then I used to and I’ve started taking a reusable flask for my latte and if i don’t have it with me then no Starbucks for me!! I also need to start saving more. It would be nice to have some money for emergencies! Happy New Year. x
Goodness me, I think I have literally ALL the same goals as you! I even wrote them on my own January goals post! I’m aiming to eat less meat this month – and hopefully for the rest of the year. I’m currently doing 2 meat free days a week (which I completed for week 1 of the year today, yay!) I also want to knuckle down on saving and DEFINITELY practice self-care more. Best of luck with yours! <3
I love reading goals post and I love the ideas you’ve come up with. I definitely need to practice better self-care!
My main goals for 2018 are to learn calligraphy and open an Etsy shop 🙂
I haven’t set any goals but this post has motivated me in doing so. I really need to practice self care, always find that I put myself last whether that’s mentally or physically so maybe one goal should be along the lines of ‘being selfish!’ If that is the correct term.
One of my main goals for 2018 is to save more, I’m absolutely terrible and I think having a little bit aside will help if an emergency happens instead of using my credit card all the time.
Good luck with all your 2018 goals!
Heather xox || http://www.xhighlandbeauty.co.uk
I wish you the best of the luck with making these all come true. I think that they are very good goals
These are some really good goals for the new year, I really need to try and save a lot this year too. It’s so hard though as you treat yourself to one little thing and then pay a bill and before you know it it’s all gone aha x
These are such good goals! I’m completely the same on the self care one! I’ve told myself I’m making it a priority this year! Also, every year I set myself the do more good resolution – I think it’s always a good one to work on! x
whatevawears.co.uk
Firstly, your photos are goals!
Secondly, I agree wholeheartedly with everything you have said here, especially the self-care goal. It’s important to have YOU time in a very busy schedule! I’m the same when it comes to saving, too! Let me know how you get on please? xo
I could have written all of these! Definitely things I want to work on but I hadn’t actively acknowledged them as goals until now. Good luck with it, have a fab 2018! #BloggersTribe
I enjoyed reading your post & you have set some fantastic goals for 2018. You are very conscious about being ethical & I respect that. I wish you all the best in your move to a veggie/vegan lifestyle. It is by far one of the best decisions I have made going veggie & then vegan. Have a fab 2018 x
Best of luck with your goals- especially the self care ones! I’ve been thinking of trying out yoga, I already do meditation so I think it would tie in nicely with it 🙂 x
http://jademarie.co.uk
So good to set goals for ourselves – the trouble is just sticking to them!! x
I wish you the best of luck with all your goals.
Wishing you all the luck with your goals! I’m sure you’ll smash them xx
I’m totally on board with you’re save save save resolution! I have to do it too, money seems to dissapate around me 😯😯
This is a great post. I definitely need to save more this year too!