Happy 2019 everyone! I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling pretty good about the new year. I’ll be honest, 2018 wasn’t my favorite. Although I took some amazing trips, met some fantastic people and got clear on some of my blogging goals, I also experienced some serious bouts of self doubt coupled with some unexpected family drama, which put me in a dark place towards the end of the year.
Over the holidays, I decided to get back to doing things that brought me joy – little things like baking, lighting candles, playing holiday tunes and spending time with old friends. I also made a conscious effort to keep up with my blog – taking photos, writing and posting on a regular basis. I took it all seriously and started seeing results.
Now that we’ve crossed over into 2019, I want to keep that momentum going. No more excuses, no more procrastinating, no more comparing myself to others which does nothing but make me feel bad. I thought I’d kick things off by setting my intentions for 2019 and sharing them with you! I’m hoping that putting them out into the world will keep me on track and perhaps encourage you to set and stick to your own goals for the new year!
WORD OF THE YEAR
My word for 2019 is consistency. When I think about the people who I most admire in the blogger/influencer space, the one thing they all have in common is that they show up every day consistently. They are clear about their niche and they regularly create and share content that serves their audience. It isn’t rocket science, but it does take discipline. And this year, I am committing to showing up and doing the work even my content isn’t perfect, even when I don’t feel like it, even when I’m doubting myself, even when… What’s your word for 2019?
TRAVEL GOALS
At the beginning of each year, I like to make a list of my dream destinations. I usually don’t make it to all of them and often end up visiting a few places I hadn’t anticipated. Here are the places that made my list this year.
Japan – I’m desperate to visit Japan during cherry blossom season, which takes place from March through May. I’ve seen the beautiful trees in bloom in D.C. and at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, but I think being in Japan and actually seeing them in their full glory would be so magical!
Croatia – I came close to attending a conference in Croatia last year, but changed my mind at the last minute. Leading up to the trip, I did a bit of research on things to see and do there. I was enamored with the beautiful scenery and really want to view it with my own eyes.
Greek Islands – I have been wanting to visit the Greek islands for years. My Russian and I took a quick trip to Greece a few years back, but only visited Athens. I hope to return and head straight to the islands next time!
Russia – I have been dating my Russian for about 7 years (omg, that sounds so long!) and I have yet to visit his homeland. He is from the tiny country of Belarus and his parents and brother still live there. Now that the country has lifted their visa requirement, I really have no excuse! I’m looking forward to seeing where he grew up and getting a fuller picture of the man I love.
Caribbean – I always like to add a tropical getaway to my travel to-do list each year. Whether it’s visiting a new destination like Turks and Caicos or a repeat trip to Jamaica, Aruba or Tulum, I am looking forward to adding an island retreat to my 2019 travels!
Turkey, Jordan or Egypt – I like to take one “real” trip a year. By real I mean not a last minute quick trip like most of my travels, but rather a longer stay that I plan well in advance. Our trips to Thailand, Cuba, Armenia and Iceland are some examples of “real” trips we’ve taken recently.
This year, I would love to take a “real” trip to either Turkey, Jordan or Egypt. All three destinations would require a bit more time and significant planning, but where there’s a will, there’s a way and I’m anxious to visit these incredible places!
BLOGGING/BUSINESS GOALS
When it comes to my blog, there are a few things I want to really focus on this year.
Create more Indy content – Last year, a lot of readers indicated they would like to see more articles about my hometown of Indianapolis. I have been wanting to incorporate more Indy content for a while and sharing fun brunch spots, bars, wineries, restaurants and highlighting local events and festivals. I was excited to learn that readers were interested in that type of content. It will be coming soon so stay tuned!
Set a regular work schedule – One of the nice things about essentially working for myself is that I get to set my own schedule. With my frequent travels and shuffling back and forth between Indianapolis and New York, no two days are ever alike. But on days when I am working from home, I plan on making an effort to set a more regular work schedule rather than giving in to my night owl tendencies.
Grow my blog, email list and Instagram engagement – This year, I’m shifting my focus from increasing followers to improving engagement. As the influencer space continues to expand, the new buzzword is engagement. It’s no longer about having a high follower count, it’s about building a community that you connect with and who engages with you on a regular basis. That means getting clear on who my ideal audience is and churning out content that serves that community.
Re-design my blog – After 3 years of the same look, I think it’s time my blog got a makeover. I made a few changes at the end of last year, but there are still a some more things I want to tweak!
Attend quality conferences & workshops – Last year, I attended the first ever Travel Con in Austin, Texas and I was thoroughly impressed. I’m excited to return in September to reunite with friends and see how their blogs and businesses have grown. I also have my sights set on a few other conferences happening in the fall. I realize the importance of continuing to learn and grow and surround myself with like-minded creatives and conferences are great for that.
Attend a press trip – One of my big goals for the year is to attend a press trip. I have a few destinations in mind and I plan on reaching out to their tourism boards and will hopefully be able to set up some exciting getaways!
Secure brand collaborations – I have enjoyed working with a few different brands including Jord Watches, Saranghae Skin Care and GPSMyCity. This year, I look forward to partnering with more brands and working on some fun collaborations!
There you have it! My goals and intentions for 2019. I’ll admit that writing down them down in black and white and making them public feels really intimidating. But it will also force me to stay on track and DO. THE. WORK! What are some of your goals and intentions for the new year? Feel free to share them below!
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