After going through my highlights of the last 12 months, I thought I’d set some goals for 2018.
After all, I’ve really enjoyed looking back at some of the goals and ideas I had at the beginning of 2017 and seeing how much my plans changed and looking at what I achieved or forgot about!
1. Run 5k
Last year as I tried running back in March and instantly gave up. I couldn’t seem to make it into a habit. However, a month ago I ended up going on a run instead of my usual HIIT class and I couldn’t believe how my fitness had improved! We did a 5k circuit with a few stops and slow bits on the inclines, but I made it without dying, so my goal this year is to be able to comfortably run 5 kilometres.
2. Read 10 books
Okay so my goal in 2017 was to read 12 (one a month) – quite ambitious considering each year before I’d only read one per year! I only made 8, but it was achievable for sure, so this year my goal will be set to 10. Small steps!
3. Travel to a new country
I’ve just returned from the French Alps which was rather new for me, and already have a couple more trips lined up for 2018, but I’d love to visit somewhere totally different this year. Last year my trip to Montenegro was breathtaking and definitely very different to anywhere I’d ever been, so I’d love to repeat that feeling.
4. Continue being meat free & try cooking more
Other than a couple of cheeky pigs-in-blankets at Christmas, I succeeding in not eating meat for a whole year!! I’m looking forward to another meat-free year, with more focus on healthy dairy-free cooking and recipe experimenting.
5. Launch my new project
I mentioned in my highlights post that I have a new project up my sleeve that’s nearly ready to launch. Hoping to get this done for February and I’m really excited to try something different like this so watch this space.
6. Train Pepper
Last year I set a personal goal for myself to be able to have lunch at a dog-friendly cafe or restaurant with Pepper, and I achieved it! We have taken her to Gylly beach cafe a couple of times now and the Blue Bar at Porthtowan and she has been well-behaved, so the next step is to get her better at recall. She’s already improving loads thanks to some stricter training and being with Maisey (Alex’s beautifully well-behaved lab-cross-collie).
7. Explore more of Cornwall
I had a fantastic time in Summer, going on long coast path walks with friends and exploring new places on my own – but this year I want to really try and visit some totally new places – like the Roseland and more of North Cornwall. There are so many beautiful spots I haven’t been to yet so bring on Spring!
8. Go to a festival abroad
I ended up going to lots of festivals last year, but they were all local to Cornwall (bar Love Saves The Day in Bristol, but that is kind of local for me as I used to live there). So in 2018, I’m pushing the boat out and have not only booked my Boomtown ticket (a huge UK festival that’s NOT in Cornwall), I’ve also booked my flights and ticket for Hideout in Croatia! I am ridiculously excited…
9. Improve my surfing
In 2017, I took my first ever surf lesson with Corinne in Newquay, and then spent a week learning how to surf in Portugal, as well as some time practicing in Fuerteventura. This year, I plan on surfing A LOT more; in the UK and abroad again hopefully. Once I’ve progressed past a learners board, I might even buy my own!
10. Exercise 3 times a week
For most of 2017, I ended up going to some form of exercise class at least twice a week; sometimes more and sometimes less. But this year I really want to improve my fitness even further, so I’ll be carrying on with my HIIT classes twice a week, and also doing one other form of training – whether that be running, a Body Pump class, or a mixed gym session.
11. Collaborate with more brands on my blog
Looking back at 2017, I’m super proud of what I achieved with my blog. I worked on a big campaign with VisitBritain back in March for a 3 day tour around Cornwall, collaborated with WhiteStuff during my trip to Montenegro, and got featured in a couple of magazines too. This year I want to double down and work with even more brands I love and carry on growing this space.
12. Find my perfect balance
Thanks to my rollercoaster of a year, I’d say I’ve used 2017 as my ‘test’ year. I’ve tested the limits of working too hard, and found out what burning out looks like. I’ve tested the limits of ‘enjoying life’ and going out lots, and found out what ‘too much of a good thing’ looks like. This year I want to strike a perfect balance of work, life, health and relationships/friendships – if that’s even possible!
