My 2020 Goals and Resolutions


PHEW, let's start off with the elephant in the room and say THANK YOU to all of the support on the last blog post. It was a difficult one to write, but I'm so glad it's out in the world and I'm so touched by the response and by how many people it's helped.

Now though, it's time to look forward.

Because it's the start of a new year and a new decade. And anyone who knows me knows I am all about the new year hype.

I don't think it should be about y'know, getting rid of your old self or anything. But I like any excuse for a list, and I like any excuse to give myself new goals. So this new year feeling happens to be a personal fave.

As I've gotten older, my resolutions/goals/whatever you like to call them, have reflected my growth. But my ability to keep them has absolutely not reflected my transition into adulthood.

So whilst my list is a lot less 'find a tall dark handsome boyfriend' and more 'learn about investments', it's important to know that I make resolutions with a pinch of salt. I think it's important to bear them in mind, especially the important ones, but if I don't have abs my May, well, I'm not going to cry myself to sleep.

So, what is on the agenda for 2020?

Visit a new continent
In 2019, I visited America and in 2018 I visited Australia. In 2020 I would love to visit Asia and/or Africa (probably less Kenyan-safari, more Morocco). Last year, I came up with this '7 by 27' dream, in which I visit all 7 continents by my 27th birthday. It's pretty ambitious, considering I'd visited... two... when I made it.

But, we're now up to three, and since Asia in en route to Oz/NZ (where I'm currently living), I don't think the dream is that impossible. After all, I'm only 24 at the moment.

Tackle my debt
Look, I left university with £50,000 in university bills. So my student overdraft wasn't really the top of my to-do list when living my best life and adventuring around Australia. But, the overdraft is mounting and I'm a) not going to hide from it - we could all do with a little less taboo about money, and b) want to do something about it.

My goal last year was to stay put in Dorset and save up to eradicate the overdraft, but since realising that life-plan compromises my happiness (and if anything made me want to get away even more), I'm going to be settling down in New Zealand pretty long-term (for me). I've spent the last 8 months living out of a suitcase between different countries, which is a hugely privileged position to be in, but I'm excited to be settling somewhere for a little while whilst I short my shit out.

Earn a TEFL
The TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) has always been on my radar, but not something I've really looked into. However, I really want to work and travel as I go, particularly in SE Asia and potentially South America, and teaching English online is how a lot of people sustain their lifestyle as digital nomads. My hope is to split my freelancing between writing and teaching, and it's always useful to learn a new skill.

Get Fitter/Stronger
As we now all know, it took me years to get to the place I am now with my body. And I wouldn't trade that for the world. However, in myself, I want to be much fitter than I currently am. I've been in mental spaces previously where I enjoy going to the gym, so getting back to that is my current goal.

I love being outdoors, I love feeling physically productive and - despite working a lot from my laptop - one of my favourite aspects of my work in France was being on my feet all day. I'm no longer in that position, so I just want to get up and get moving and, hopefully it will give me a bit of a boost on the days I need it.

Start Saving
What for? I don't know either. But I feel like at 24, I should probably stop living paycheque to paycheque the way I do. Especially if I want to continue freelancing. Some people are born into the privilege of having saving accounts set up for them by their parents and/or grandparents, but for me what I have in my bank, is what I own. Even if I start putting aside £50 a month, I just want to have something there to know that I'm doing something about my future.

Develop My Language Skills
Once upon a time, at the very very start of this Alice's Antics journey, I moved to Italy. It was extremely Eat, Pray, Love and despite not knowing a word when I first arrived, I ended up learning Italian. I used it almost every day, and when my family came out to visit me for my birthday, they were both surprised and impressed. But then I stopped and didn't use it for 6 years and now here we are, and I'm back on Duolingo reminding myself how to ask for a coffee.

I really want to work on my Italian and French. I lived in France only last year, so I do have a bit more of a grasp on the language, but both need improving. I now have a bit more time on my hands, so I'm keen to put it to good use.

Okay, so that's it. Those are my goals.

I know they might seem quite materialistic, but part of that is because I'm pretty happy with who I am at the moment. Last year I challenged myself to be more vocal about my opinions and stand up for what I believe in. And whilst you can always improve on body positivity and feminism and being an LGBT+ ally, being more vocal has become more entwined in my life, so I don't need to create 'goals' to keep me aware the way that I did once.

Does anyone else love the start of a new year? If you're the resolution-type, let me know what yours are!

 I know it gets a bit of a bad rep, but my headspace at the moment is proof that if you're realistic, it really can be a great time of year.

Just remember to be kind to yourself.

Love, Alice x






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