Top Three Goals for 2020

 I’ve spent the last month thinking through what I wanted to focus on in 2020. In 2019, I wanted to travel less, making more time for rest and figure out what to do with my side hustles. For part of 2019, I felt like I had no real direction or what I wanted next in my life in any aspect, but I found some clarity and can’t wait to apply what I’ve learned to 2020.

Travel More

Like everyone and their sister, I’d like to travel more this year. I intentionally planned far fewer trips in 2019 so that I could pay for my nose job and my basement renovation, plus I was exhausted from 2018 travel. But now I’m ready for travel, but more thoughtful trips like a European trip this spring. I’ve never been abroad and this scares the shit out of me. But also incredibly excites me.

If there’s one thing I took from 2019 after my friend Melissa’s death is that life is too short to not explore and take more chances. She traveled the world and I am more inspired than ever to channel her and her adventurous spirit. To do more things that scare and excite me.

Grow that Side Hustle

2019 was the year I met Topsie Vandenbosch who changed my approach to business and my mindset. She helped me realize photography, something I had almost abandoned, was worth channeling my energy into again.

Since meeting her, I have a legitimate photography business, tax consultant to help me navigate business taxes since I owed so much last year, business site with a business Instagram account, worked with a social media consultant for my personal blog, just finished a blog redesign and I’m sure there’s more things I’m forgetting, but I invested a lot of time and energy into taking the next steps with my side hustles.

From a few fuck ups in 2019, I have some items on my list for 2020: improve and complete an updated photography contract and do a little more marketing for myself along with learning more about documenting profits/loss. I hate accounting and anything to do with financials so this will be the biggest stretch for me in 2020.

Spend Less Money

My goal each year has always intrinsically been to “make more money” and this year, I’m totally okay with making less. I felt like I started to get into that right mindset last summer–to stop sacrificing my mental health and overall wellbeing for more money. I’ve turned paid blog jobs more and more, set better boundaries (but still need to work on this) and will continue the same mindset for 2020. If I’m making less money, I better be spending less! Last year, I made some sexy financial changes like upping my 401k contributions and I’ll need to do more of that–saving more, spending less!

Tee c/o East Lansing Threads | necklaces by Katie Dean Jewelry (one gifted) | bag by Saint Laurent | jeans by Madewell | boots c/o Everlane | hat by Carhartt

Photography by Sue Hamilton