*updated December 31, 2017*
Hi, guys! I talked about this post a little in my last post, and now that 2017 is almost exactly half way through (which is crazy), I wanted to update you guys on what’s been going on with me and talk about my goals for my life and this blog!
I’m home from college for the summer, and the adjustment to moving back home was harder than expected. I’ve been feeling kind of stuck and just not like my usual self recently, but I’m working on it, and organizing what I want to get done has helped a lot this week.
I usually don’t like creating bucket lists, because I feel like it’s better to make a list of things you’ve accomplished than to make a long list of things you may or may not get done… a lot can change in a year! But, I’ve been editing this list so far this year and I genuinely think I can accomplish most of it by December 31 of this year.
Below is my bucket list for the year, and after that I’ll talk a little about my goals for this blog so you know what to expect, and so I can keep myself accountable.
Some of these things are more general goals that won’t be “completed” until the end of the year, but I’ll keep updating the list as I finish things!
- Donate blood – On 12/30/2017 my dad and I finally did this!
- Donate hair for 4th time – Done 8/2/2017! Read about it here!
- Reach 90 total blog posts – This post was #98!
- Keep above a 3.5 GPA – Finished out 2017 with all A’s!
- Get a summer job – I worked as a summer camp counselor!
- Move into my house!!! – I moved in 8/10/2017!
- Find a little in my sorority! – Big Little Reveal was 10/11!
Visit at least 6 cities other than home & school– St. Petersburg, St. Augustine, Orlando, Treasure Island, Marco Island, Sarasota, FL; Big Sky, MT; Clemson, SC- Keep a regular workout routine – This wasn’t my strongest area this year, but I did work on semi-regularly so I’ll take it as a win.
- Turn 20!!!
Reach 1000 Instagram followers by the end of summer– I hit 1003 on June 30!- Celebrate 1 year of blogging – done! (read here)
- Do my first giveaway! – and done!
- Blog more about style, beauty, & DIY – I may have written less about faith in the process, but I’m going to find a balance in 2018.
- Grow the Facebook group – We grew from 42 to 88 lovely ladies!
- Upgrade my site, or switch to self-hosted! – Switched to self-hosted 8/10/2017
- Work with more brands (or at least reach out to them) – This was a big win for my brand this year!
- Open my own Etsy store! – see it here
- Be able to look back on a good year: one where I loved more, laughed more, created more, and loved the life I lived.
Like I’ve said, I always want this blog to show who I am, and I never want it to feel like work. This August will mark one whole year of blogging for me, and I still don’t feel like I’ve totally settled in a “niche”, but I also don’t feel like I have to settle.
I love writing posts about my thoughts and what I’m going through, and you’ll definitely keep seeing faith & inspiration posts from me! But, as I’ve grown my Instagram, I’ve wanted to start adding more style posts too, so you can expect to see more of that, like my last post!
I love blogging because it gives me a place where I can be myself and make my own rules. I love that it gives me a platform to share my light with the world, and meet so many other incredible people! I love that it pushes me and inspires me and drives me to be better.
I never want to “just be a blogger” who posts content and disappears. I want to be someone who’s readers feel like they know me, and I want to know them! I want to connect with people, and reach for community over competition. It’s not just about “the numbers”. It’s about the number of people I get to reach, connect with, and support.
I’m so glad you’re joining me for (at least a part) of this ride! I hope you’ll decide to stick around and see where it takes me. 🙂
June 16, 2017
Go, Kristen! I love your energy and all the goals you set for yourself. I needed to read this today! Thanks!
June 16, 2017
Thanks so much, Lori! I really appreciate your kind words & support! Blessings girl!
June 16, 2017
This is a great list and looks like you have a great start! I love bucket lists because it helps us anticipate the season, be intentional with our time and help us be grateful for all we have done! Happy summer, it’s always an adjustment! Xoxo Erin
June 16, 2017
You’re absolutely right, Erin! I think I need it to do all this in the season I’m in. Happy summer to you too, girl! 🙂 blessings!
June 16, 2017
That is a great way to do a “bucket list”
June 16, 2017
Thanks!
June 16, 2017
Keep it up girl! I totally forgot to set goals for myself at the beginning of this year (lame i know). I’ve been thinking about setting monthly goals though!
Sam | http://www.sincerelysamxo.com
June 17, 2017
Thanks Sam! You should do it, to never too late!
June 16, 2017
very cute blog! I’m a fellow native Floridian but old enough to be your mom. I don’t know where you live in FL but think about putting downtown Lakeland on your bucket list. Lakeland has the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the country. Have a fun summer!
June 17, 2017
Thanks Kim! I’ll definitely have to add that to my list, that sounds awesome!
June 16, 2017
I just love your honesty about bucket lists & really just doing your best, not stress about it. Your list is a good & healthy one with not so much that you feel overwhelmed. I’m excited to see how you do at the end of the year (and I’m pretty sure it will end better than you expected!) 💕
June 17, 2017
Ahh thank you Lianna that’s all so sweet! I feel like people sometimes bite off more than they can chew with their lists but I like to keep it real!! I look forward to seeing what I get done, too 💓 thanks for reading!
June 17, 2017
This is awesome! Makes me want to go back and check out my list to see how far I’ve come!
June 21, 2017
Yes do it girl!! Progress is so important
June 17, 2017
I love your Facebook group. IMHO, I think you also do a great job at connecting with readers.
June 21, 2017
Thanks so much Lizzy! I appreciate that 🙂
June 19, 2017
How ironic 🙂 I just made a really general bucket list post earlier this week. Congrats on completing the items on the list so far, don’t be afraid to kick the rest of the year’s butt!
It’s honestly pretty impressive that you’re able to keep up as much with your list as you have, most people have trouble with even one resolution but you’ve seemed to maintain many goals at once.
June 21, 2017
I’ll have to go check out your post!! Thanks so much! I try to keep on top of things, and not be that kinda person that sets goals and gives up / forgets about them! Goal setting & keeping is super important for me to get things done! 🙂
June 21, 2017
Me too! Not to mention, it’s so fulfilling to set meaningful goals and achieve them. 🙂
July 3, 2017
What sorority are you in?! 😊
July 3, 2017
Gamma phi beta!
July 3, 2017
That’s awesome! I’m in Alpha Omicron Pi.
July 14, 2017
This is such a great list – I’ll have to sort out some resolutions for next year, because this is a really cool thing to do. I’ve been finding it really hard to blog this year, but I’m starting to get back into it!
July 15, 2017
Yes, definitely do it, but don’t stress!! I’ve been working on my list all year to figure out what I’ll actually get done 🙂
July 16, 2017
I might do a half year list 😀
July 26, 2017
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