My goals for the year ahead…
I never really set resolutions, although I suppose the yearly goals I jot down could be considered the same thing. I guess the difference is that I’m not looking to change myself too much (no ‘new year, new me’ sentiments here!), or set unrealistic targets that I won’t stick to. I’m old enough to know better by now! Instead, my goals for the year ahead tend to be more milestones or plans I’d like to see set in motion for the year ahead. Realistic and achievable hopes for the coming months that I can slowly amble towards so I am always making some sort of progress.
This year I do hope to see a lot of change, I’ve always been someone who is constantly plotting and planning. I like to feel like I’m always moving forward, I like dates in my diary and plans to look forward to. After two years of very little happening, I’m ready to shake things up a bit!
Aim For Change
I feel like really pushing myself to do something different this year, especially after looking back at last year and realising we didn’t really do anything of note! I mean, did anyone?? But even so, I feel like I have this itching to do something big! A house move hopefully, but perhaps to somewhere new. After almost a decade of living in the same area, I feel like it’s time to explore a new neighbourhood, or a new city even. Fingers crossed a plan falls in to place because I feel like it’s time we had a new adventure!
These photos were taken on New Year’s Day, we drove through to Portobello to see some friends and it was such a lovely day! It was super mild and there were so many brave people swimming, and we caught up with some close pals we hadn’t seen in a while. A very wholesome start to the year!
Set Some Sustainable Goals
I’ve always been quite a conscious person, I grew up in an environment where nothing was wasted, everything was re-used, repurposed or recycled in some form. I still have a lot of that mentality but somewhere along the way I picked up bad habits too, and while I don’t think environmental change fully falls on us, I do think there’s a lot we can do to set this change in motion.
So many planet-friendly actions that I stick to are obvious to me; using a Mooncup, rarely eating meat, donating unwanted clothes and home items, buying second-hand where possible, rewearing outfits, and making the effort to recycle.
That said, there’s also a lot I could do better. This year I’m hoping to cut down on the fast-fashion brands I wear, avoid promoting mass-consumerism by changing my wording on social media, and encourage rewearing outfits and buying second-hand to name a few! There’s some things on my list of sustainable goals that are more manageable than others, but I’m hoping that I can educate myself and as a result live in a more conscious way.
A New Project
I say this every year – sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t! I’m a big believer in waiting for the right time, and so far nothing has come my way that fits. This time last year I was so full of ideas and dreams, a product of lockdown boredom that never really amounted to much. I think we can probably all relate to that!
Hopefully this year I’m kept busy with something new, a project that is different than my usual day-to-day job or something that will bring some new challenges. I feel quite restless at the moment (if that isn’t already obvious!) so this is a goal that sits high on my list for 2022!
Final Flat Updates
Whether we move this year or not, I hope to get some final flat changes done. We’re still working on the kitchen as sourcing items has been tricky, and as we’re trying to do the updates with minimal waste, our spare room is currently filled with items we need to repurpose or sell so it’s like having two rooms down!
Once the kitchen is finished (I just need the tiles back in, a cabinet built and to paint the room), I’m going to work on the spare room. At the moment it’s sort of an office space but I want to make it more of a multi-use room for both work and downtime. It’s currently a terracotta shade which I initially loved but have since decided doesn’t go with the Victorian era of the flat, so I’m hoping to find a beautiful Parisian blue to go in here instead! Picking paint is always the hardest task, I swear.
I’d also like to finish the hallway – it needs to be painted and we need a new rug, I want a beautiful vintage find so it’s taking me a while to source one – and declutter and reorganise the place too.
More Weekends Away
I am desperate to see more of the UK, and weekend breaks are my new favourite thing. We’ve seen a fair bit of Scotland (although not enough for my liking!) but not a lot of England, and I have a whole list of dreamy country houses, eco-friendly cabins and seaside hotels saved that I would love to explore this year!
Of course, in true Kate spirit I have a list of small goals I want to achieve this year too – like reading at least 30 books, shopping locally and avoiding Amazon where possible, keeping a tidier and more organised flat and using my time more wisely too. No more late night scrolling on social media!
I want to make our bed comfier (new bedding is needed!), spend more time outdoors and drink less caffeine (and alcohol for that matter!). Go swimming regularly because I love it, cook more often and make use of my evenings rather than just chilling on the sofa!
I love this time for feeling motivated, hopeful and inspired – January is such a miserable month if you don’t have anything to look forward to! What are your goals for the year ahead?
