Hey guys! I don’t know about you, but for me, 2018 came in hot!! Once Thanksgiving arrived, I swear time started tick-tocking away!

2017 was a busy year and the second half really kicked into high gear. This past August I turned 30, and I’m not going to say that there was this huge epiphany that occurred, but I will say, as I entered a new decade and got engaged shortly after, I really started thinking about my life: where I’ve been, and where I want to go. Not only that, but I also started thinking about how I want to feel.

I want to feel confident, free and empowered.

It sounds easy, but it hasn’t been for me. I ended 2017 feeling depleted, which should’ve been the opposite of how I felt given my activity level. So, I went a bit deeper. I started thinking about what has been holding me back and what changes I need to make to feel better.  So, today, I’m sharing some of my personal priorities for this year.

Planning Ahead

I am so tired of always feeling behind. It is killing my spirit. I surveyed some friends and folks on Instagram to see how they stay organized and keep it all together. Almost everyone said that they have a planner or an accountability partner. So, now I have both. My planner is starting to fill as I get in the habit of using it in tandem with my Google calendar, and I’ve set check-ins with other creatives so we can make sure we’re being productive.

Save Money

I can’t even say save more money because aside from putting money away for taxes, I do not save money. There. I admitted it, and I feel really ashamed typing it but they say admitting the problem is the first step in fixing it. I am probably going to turn into the most frugal person ever, but I’ll be patting myself on the back this time next year. I am going to start cashing the checks that I receive from my clients because the last time I held money in my hands, it made a bigger impact than when I saw the number on my account summary. I appreciated my hard work more and I didn’t want to waste it. My first step is to put more away when I am first paid, and second, by making some lifestyle changes. I started canceling and consolidating memberships and subscriptions that I’m not really using. I’m also setting a weekly budget for personal and professional expenses. It starts with small changes over time and I started toward the end of last year by watching the daily expenses. For the most part, I make my own coffee and started cooking again, which has been not only cost savings, but I really love to cook, so it’s two-fold. I’ll keep you updated on my progress!

Stop Carpe Diem’ing When it Comes to Food

Isn’t it interesting how for some people, food can really be a sign of how someone is doing? Put it this way. When I was working two jobs at $11/hour and not even making 40-hours a week, I was very selective in what I purchased from the grocery store and how often I went out to eat (and what it is that I ate when I went out). This past year was a dream. I ate what I wanted when I wanted. Do you like how I called it a dream? That’s because, in reality, you can’t do that if you are trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I also realized that I eat until my plate is finished, not until I’m full. I didn’t grow up in a household that made me finish every bite, so I am looking to change my relationship with food and hoping to add a few more years to my life by doing so. 🙂

I also feel like all of the money CJ and I have spent on takeout and Postmates fees could help me with the first goal I have.

Stop Saying Yes to Shit I Should Say No To

OK, this is the biggest one. In my professional and personal life, I get caught up in saying yes to a lot of opportunities. I’m not sure if it’s my FOMO in the driver’s seat, or I feel like something as good won’t happen to me again. Either way, I can’t do it anymore. This also goes to stop saying yes to people I should say no to. Not everyone has your best interests at heart. Not everyone brings you up. If there are people in your life that bring you more strife than joy, then I say you make a change. I’ll be right there with you.

Make the Shit I Say Yes to Count

It’s about quality, not quantity. I am praying that by saying no to more, I can say yes to the things that bring me joy and help me grow as a person and as a business owner. I know it will help fuel my creativity and as a result, I’ll serve my clients better by being a stronger creative partner. It will also allow me to make the time I spend with my loved ones even more meaningful by being fully present.

I would love to know what you are making a priority this year! Please share in the comments. Thank you so much for reading! xo

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Photos by K Standal Studios