Welcome 2020!

It’s here! The new decade! I honestly haven’t been this optimistic about a new year in so long that it’s actually kind of refreshing to have something to look forward to. Anyone who knows me and has followed the blog for some time knows that I’m not the best at following resolutions or the most accepting of epiphanies. But even I have to admit, there’s nothing wrong with being hopeful. After all, it’s the best thing we do.

So in honor of beginning anew in 2020, I decided to share with you my manifest list for this year. This was something I picked up from one of my favorite podcasts, The Lady Gang, last year. I’ve actually done it on the blog before. It’s a little different from a New Year’s Resolutions list in that there are multiple different categories to fit certain goals into. I think it’s super helpful in really narrowing down something specific you want to accomplish in the new year. So here’s my manifest list for 2020!

Family

I haven’t always gotten along with my family. We’re full of stubbornness and independence, and too much of that doesn’t always blend well. In the last year or so, I’ve really come to terms with understanding the differences in our personalities and accepting each of my family members as being imperfectly beautiful. In 2020, I hope to see myself continuing to acknowledge these differences and working toward a more comfortable relationship with my family.

Friends

In the last ten years of my life, I’ve struggled greatly with setting unrealistic expectations for the people I care about–specifically my friends. And a little shamefully, it’s only in the last couple of years that I’ve realized this flaw about myself. So in 2020, I want to make sure I’m actively appreciating our differences as people. I want to be better at accepting my friends–current and future–as flawed and complicated people that are working everyday to change and better themselves, as opposed to stagnant individuals that only have the purpose of fitting into my life.

Work

Since graduating from college, finding a stable work life has been very difficult for me. It’s probably the biggest thing that caused me distress in late 2019. This year, I’m going to find a job at my own time, not because society has this expectation of me to be working my life-long career. It’s going to be a job a like and a job I’m doing for me.

Money

I’m going to be honest with you guys…I’ve never been very good at saving money. At least, not as good as I tell myself I am. This year, I really want to start some kind of savings account–one a real adult would be proud of. I want to set my future self up for success by taking actual steps to financial stability.

Health

Like with Money, I’m not very good at actively watching my health. I don’t know that I’ll really get that much better at it this year, if I’m being honest. But I’m going to try and set an adjusting fitness and eating schedule for myself. I’ll start by working out at least twice a week, and then once I get into a routine, I’ll try and add days–three times a week, then four times a week–until I hit a place where I can be proud of my physical health.

This year a friend challenged me to only eat out twice a month. Limiting a habit you’ve indulged in for literally years is hard. So I’m going to try and start by eating out twice a week, and then slowly work my way to twice a month.

Home

I said this last year, but this time I mean it–2020 is the year I move out on my own. I’ve lived away from my family before, but I’ve never been completely without their support. It can be hard to stand on your own for the first time, but sometimes it’s what you really need to discover how to be your own person.

Travel

Because this is the first calendar year I’m going to be out of school, it means I’ll have plenty of opportunities to travel at will. Now, all of my early-twenties readers know how tight money can be in this time of your life–it’s definitely the biggest thing that keeps me from traveling as often as I’d like to. So as a compromise to myself, in 2020 I’m going to travel somewhere at least once a month. And that doesn’t have to be somewhere big or somewhere new. Just somewhere different. This is such a beautiful time in my life and I don’t want to miss out on as much adventure as I can get.

Love

Until late last year, love hasn’t been something I’ve thought a lot about since probably high school. I took a lot of time to figure out what I wanted in life and the person I wanted to be in college, and looking back I think that was the right move for me. But I think now it’s time for me to start remembering what a fun, unique, and complicated experience dating and love can be. I’m not saying I’ll fall in love this year, but I want to cleanse my heart and let myself be open to all possibilities.

Fun and Self

Similar to my Travel goal for this year, I’m planning on doing something for myself at least once a month. I think it’s important to always be the first person to treat yourself right. I’ve already thought about ways I can change up my look or how I can teach myself a new language. I really want to be able to indulge my miscellaneous desires a little bit more this year, because even your random dreams are important dreams.

* * *

What are some things you’re adding to your manifest list this year? Share your 2020 goals with me in the comments section below!

This year I’m implanting some upload changes to the blog–like a Poetry Series with new posts every first Monday of the month! Check back tomorrow for the first 2020 addition to that series. And make sure to stop by the homepage and stay up-to-date on all other new happenings.