2019 Intentions

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2019 is here (1 week ago today to be exact) and I am READY for it! I wasn’t going to make resolutions this year because I always end up sticking to them for the first week and then completely forgetting them the minute I go back to work or school. But, I met up with a friend for coffee and she talked about setting intentions for the new year instead of resolutions. I like the idea of intentions because there definitely are goals I want to work towards, but they’re ongoing. Intentions to me sounds more like a progressing challenge to become a better version of myself, rather than resolutions to be less bad.

2018 wasn’t a bad year by any stretch, but from coming off the incredible year that was 2017, it was tough to even compare. If you’re new here, I spent 6 months of 2017 traveling around Europe while on a semester abroad. Then when I finally got back home, I had some time off before I started a work semester for school at basically my dream job in my current field. Overall, I can confidently say 2017 was the best year of my life, 2018 was okay, and as we head into 2019, this year might just surpass 2017. Just maybe, but even coming close will be exciting! In 2019 I’ll be graduating university with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, traveling to 2 new continents, moving out of my parents house, and starting my “big girl” job, among other things. So this year is going to be busy but SO exciting!

ANYWAYS, back to my intentions. I think it’s important to refocus every once and a while to really reevaluate what’s going on in your life and what changes need to be made. This definitely doesn’t have to happen January 1st, but I love using the day as a resent button. Anything seems possible that day, which maybe it isn’t, but I’ll continue to think that! I’ve separated my intentions into a few categories to organize them a little more. It’s going to be a long one so grab a coffee and here we go:

LIFE

Produce Less Waste

Being more environmentally conscious is something I’ve been working towards for a few years now. I always tried to recycle and avoid excess trash and what not, but this year I really want to take it to a new level and eliminate some things from my life. For some reason, this past year has really lit a fire under my ass (for lack of better terms lol) to be more mindful of what I’m doing. Here are some things I’m planning on changing:

Travel mugs and water bottles: probably the easiest thing to do and so impactful because if you’re like me, I drink a coffee a day and more water than that. Being at school all day too doesn’t help my cause. I need to be super good about bringing both these things every. single. day. To be honest, I’ve been pretty good about this this past semester, but I’m ready to do better!
Reusable bags and produce bags: another easy switch that I ALWAYS forget. I always intend to bring them and then forget it in the car or home.
Buy/take less crap: ever since I got home from my semester abroad, I noticed myself trying to purge all the shit I have. If living in a dorm room halfway across the world did anything for me, it’s learning that I don’t need a lot of stuff to have the best time. So coming home to a room full of, pretty much, crap… did not make me a happy camper. I purged the day after I got back and have been doing it ever since. That being said though, I still need to make a mindful effort of not accepting free stuff that will essentially just sit in my room until I donate it. In the same sense, I need to actively not buy useless stuff either. Being a fashion lover, it’s probably unlikely that my clothing habit will be kicked any time soon. But I can always try and be more mindful of what I’m buying and why. You’ve gotta start somewhere!

Stick to a budget

I’m pretty good at sticking to my current budget, but it’s going to be even more important this year. I’m not working between when I finish university and start at my full time job in October, so tracking my spending and changing it accordingly is going to be that much more important. I created a good little budget for myself so that I know exactly how much I have to spend each month so now the challenge is going to be resisting those new summer lines that come out…

FASHION

Take more fashion risks

As most people are (even secretly) aware of other’s opinions, I tend to gravitate my style towards things that are out there, but won’t make people do a double take. This year I want to wear what I want, because I want to. I’m ready to let my true fashion self emerge, and I have a feeling she’s going to be a little out there. I’m ready for it!

Wear more colour

I have a habit of wearing black and white, and grey and more black and white. This year, I want to embrace all the colourful Instagram posts I saved of my favourite bloggers wearing bright shades and do it myself! I really think you can see true fashionistas through how they pair colour. So, this year I’m showing myself that I deserve to be in my own fashionista category. I’ve dabbled here and there, but I hope you guys like colour!

Be confident in what I’ve got

I don’t look like a lot of the bloggers I follow. I’ve got some thicc thighs (yes I’m using a double c instead of a ck, deal with it) and probably no time in the future will I ever be considered the short one in a room. Most of the time, I don’t mind one bit. But there are those specific moments where I just wish with everything in me that Levi’s Wedgie jeans actually fit me. Until that day (probably won’t ever come), I’ve got to rock what I’ve got. 2019 is my year!

Buy Less

I’m not going to lie, I do buy a lot of clothes. It’s my thing; it’s what I like to spend my money on. Whereas other people buy expensive meals out or coffees every single day, I choose to spend my money on a new top or bag and pack my lunch from home. I get a lot of heat for this and it kind of bothered me for a while. People automatically assume I’m terrible with money because I choose to spend mine on clothes. Either way, I’ve decided that I don’t care, but I also could cut down here and there. Plus, I always have my trusty shopping saving tips to get me through those buys I do make 😉

BLOG

Consistency

I always have trouble sticking to a schedule because I don’t want this blog to feel like a chore. It’s hard work and takes a lot of time. I love doing it but sometimes when I’m in the middle of midterms, have 5 projects due, volunteer hours to complete and accounting exams to mark, the schedule falls to the wayside. This year, my goal is to plan early and schedule in advance. This way, I can take the stress out of those super busy times while also staying consistent.

Realness

When I first started my blog, I was terrified for people to find out. I never wrote about feelings or chatted on Instagram because I was scared what people would think. This year is the year for realness because I’m trying my very hardest not to care. I probably ramble on on Instagram stories but I think it’s funny, so I’m going to do it! Hope you like them, otherwise skip to the next, I’ll never know!

Change

I have some big plans for the blog this year. Although I’m not ready to share them yet, I’m excited for the prospect of a little makeover!

And there you have them, my New Year’s intentions! Do you have any resolutions/intentions you’re implementing this 2019?! I’d love to hear them in the comments below!

xx Victoria

Comments

Cate says

January 8, 2019 at 1:38 pm

Loved this post! I definitely agree with having intentions and setting long term goals. Resolutions are overrated!

- Victoria says
  
  January 8, 2019 at 1:41 pm
  
  Thanks Cate! That’s what I was thinking too, have to get into the mindset that they are life changes more than having one year timelines. xx