I have a list of personal goals I want to achieve this year, but I’d like to keep most of it private. Instead, this is more or less an abbreviated list of all things I strive to do this year, with a few extra stuff:
Ins
Being confident in yourself: I’ve spent way too long in my shell and I’m finally ready to get out there and really push myself to see what I’m capable of. No New Years Resolutions, just going out and trying different things and see what I can do, at my own pace.
Being proud of my work: I’m done doubting myself and my writing. I know I can write good and that I’m a good writer, and it’s just up to me to do it and to post it on here freely. I have so much stuff planned that I actually have about two months worth of posts scheduled in advance, and I’m ready to write.
Learning new things: I’m going to really focus on learning. I’m focused on my academic studies and I have extensive plans for my future career—which I’m so excited about. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this enthusiastic about my future before. But also, I want to increase my personal learning. I want to obtain useful skills and sharpen the ones I already have.
More hobbies than you can count: This year is going to be all about hobbies. I want to try new things and get out my comfort zone and explore my creativity! I love writing, but there’s also a world beyond that that I want to see.
Being more social: Ever since COVID lockdowns, I’ve become a social recluse. I think this is a common experience for many. It’s not necessarily bad; it’s good to be wary and I think about my health in a more proactive way now. But I want to get out there, hang out with friends and go to things. I’m going to get the most out of this year.
Exercise: I hate to say it, but at least in my case, it’s been the best solution to my problems. I feel better, I have more stamina and more energy—and that’s all from just having a small exercise routine in the mornings and regular long walks for the last few months. It’s definitely something I want to continue in 2025.
Vision boards and goal lists: I’ve never been a fan because I never understood their purpose. But vision boards and goal lists have cleared up a lot of my anxieties about the future by putting them into plans and visual representations. I’m aware I most likely won’t achieve all of the things I want, but it’s important to me to have a structure and general gist of where I want to be by the end of 2025.
Continuing on with my writing and seeing where it takes me: I’ve always wanted to be a writer. As a kid, I even dreamed about being an author with a bestseller. Now, I’m not going to hopelessly believe I can just snap my fingers and get there, nor am I writing to get there. But I used to think that writing as a career was out of my reach. Being on Substack showed me it’s not. I can still successfully pursue my ambitions, and it’s given me a lot of happiness.
Outs
Brain rot from screen time: I love the internet, but it’s an all consuming black hole. I refuse to keep scrolling endlessly for the rest of my life. Seriously. It can be fun sometimes and a good break for five minutes, but we all spend hours on here. It’s time to go back to real life. The internet can have a place, but it can’t occupy a big one or else you’ll never get to do the things you want to do.
Being scared of success or change: I think I’m more afraid of success than failure. Failure is fine. It’s the idea that if I try something that I genuinely have a shot of being able to do, that scares me. I have a habit of denying myself oppurtunities and staying in my little comfort bubble because I’m not used to change. But change doesn’t always have to be bad. It’s time to get out there.
Laziness: I was paralysed by an overwhelming feeling of laziness the last few months. While I did need a rest, I’m ready to get back into things and I want to be productive. I’ve spoken about productivity a lot before, and usually my desire to be productive came from a place of insecurity. Now, I have an actual passion to do things, which is an incredibly exciting feeling.
Phonecall anxiety: I hate phonecalls—even with those closest to me, but adulthood is all about it. It gets easier over time and due to exposure I’ve heard.
Overconsumption: I want to be strategic about my shopping choices. There are a lot of things I bought myself that I simply didn’t need, that I don’t use, have no purpose and don’t provide me with an emotional connection—which means it’s a waste.
Not reading: I was really busy last year, I will say. But I dropped the ball, and I’ve taken a few steps back. I want to read and read and read, so that’s what I’ll do.
Imposter syndrome and comparisons: I used to believe my writing was bad. It’s a universal experience; external validation always increases the internal. Having you all read and liking my work gave me a boost and it changed my perspective. But it also taught me to not rely on just that. First and foremost, I need to write for myself—as we all should, and then, for others.
Junk food: There’s nothing wrong with eating junk food—I do certainly have cheat days. But I’ve been having gut and stomach problems for years, and just recently in the last two years have I cleaned that up by eating more healthier foods. Fruits, vegetables, proteins, all that jazz. I feel so much better about myself and my face has cleared up immensely and I have a few scars to show for it.
Hey! Came across your profile and this post, and definitely see some common goals we have for this year-would love to connect and support each other :)
this is a great list! good luck elma!