Well hello to you my reader chums! 2020 wasn't exactly the year any of us had planned, however, despite that, for me, it was a year of growth. I really managed to knuckle down and get four books written, make some great memories with my loved ones, and learnt to take a slower pace of life. It came with a lot of ups and downs for everyone, and I really hope 2021 is more of a positive and hopeful environment for us all.
With that in mind, I've got lots of ambitions for the year ahead. Here are my 2021 goals:
Become a published author
I have wanted to be an author since I was little and dreamt about having my book on the shelves for as long as I can remember. However, I never took the proper plunge into writing my books properly until this year. I had started them and had a million ideas bouncing about but didn't go for it. Furlough was really a blessing in disguise for me as I finally had that free time to really focus on my own writing, and getting to grips with writing books. I've managed to complete one young adult fiction and three children's books - and the next step will be to get them published. I'm aware of getting a book published is no easy task, however, you can't blame a girl for trying and I would love it if I was able to achieve that goal or be on the way to before my 25th birthday. That would be the real dream.
Travel, travel, travel
If you read my blog often then you'd know travel is my biggest passion. I'm either always away on an adventure or planning my next trip - which means 2020 was a bit of a weird one for me. It's the longest I've stayed in the UK since I was probably about 19. I usually go away at least 5 times a year and I'm completely grateful for that as it's something I've implemented in my life for the past couple of years.
Going to the airport every other month became as normal as going to work each day. It was like a routine and something I had to look forward to. I would plan my year around my travels, my holiday days from work, and my budget. I was able to go on a trip before lockdown this year but all the other trips I had planned were cancelled. I'm hoping 2021 is safer for travel and I can fulfil all my travel goes and get back to what I love doing best - seeing the world.
Continue with my healing journey
2020 was definitely a big year of growth for me. I was still getting over a breakup and dealing with a lot of other trauma I've experienced. It's been a year where I fell in love with myself and who I am again, I've grown in confidence and happiness and really changed my mindset for the better. This healing process has been good for me and I'm really feeling the best I've been within myself. However, healing is linear and I'm in the process of learning that and it's okay to be triggered etc. I hope to continue my healing journey in 2021 and feeling good in myself.
Spend as much time as possible with my loved ones
This year stopped a lot of us being able to spend time with those who mean the most to us and utilise facetime and Zoom as much as possible to have that social interaction. I was lucky enough when the rules were slightly relaxed to have time with friends doing somewhat normal things and see family. However, if it is safer next year, I'd love to be able to get big groups of family and friends together and socialise in the good old fashion way.
Continue to implement a more sustainable life
For the past few years, I've started to make small changes in my life to live more sustainably and waste-free, but have made the most effort this year. I'm not perfect in any sense in doing this, but I'm happy with the small changes I've made in my beauty routine, when I travel, how I dress and how I live. There are so many tips I pick up regularly and I'm constantly learning on how to improve.
Spend more time away from my phone
It's no secret that I'm a bit too obsessed with my phone and especially this year, I think I spent longer on my phone than ever. This is down to furlough and being my house far more than I would usually. However, it's the moments without my phone that are always the best so I'm going to make a conscious effort to put it away when not necessary and use the time I was on my phone to do other, more productive things.
Read a lot more
I'm a big bookworm and with more time this past year, I was able to read a lot more and I discovered some great books this past year. I don't know if life is going to change much in the next few months in terms of being busy but even if it is, I'm really going to try and read more. I've got so many fab books on my to be read pile and I can't wait to get stuck in.
Doing what's best for me
Gradually over the years, I've worked on this. I'm a massive people pleaser and I really like to help others so often I put everyone else's needs before myself. Most of the time, I love to do this but at the beginning of this past year, I realised, I need to start focusing on myself more in order to be happier and live my life the way I want to. I've learnt that putting my needs first and setting boundaries isn't a bad thing and it's something I want to continue doing in order to help me reach my goals.
Saving more money
Despite being on furlough for most of the year, I have moved back home which has allowed me to save a lot of money that I wouldn't have if the pandemic didn't happen. I want to keep the financial security going into 2021 and hopefully start to work towards saving for a house deposit.
Living a healthy lifestyle for my body and mind
I see a lot of people in the new year going on a diet or detox but to be honest, that really isn't what I'm all about. I have a lot of opinions towards the diet industry and everything it stands for, and how it makes money out of people's insecurities - so a diet life will never be for me. I can understand I am naturally slim so it's easy for me to say that. But, I've always been big on nutrition and try for the most part to eat well and then allow myself to have whatever treats I like. I think I'll always be like that and I'm always grateful I have a good relationship with food.
What I mean by living a healthy lifestyle is everything that encompasses the word 'healthy'. I want to make sure I have healthy friendships with the people around me, that I take breaks, that I am well-rested, look after my mental health, ensure I get out and about often and do things that warm my soul. I'm aiming to bring lots of healthy habits in 2021 and leave behind all the negative and toxic energy.
I hope you enjoyed this post. What are your goals for 2021?
Thank you for reading <3
Oh your goals for 2021 are wonderful Della! I think you would make an amazing author x
ReplyDeleteLucy | www.lucymary.co.uk
That comment made my day, thank you so much!! xx
DeleteGood luck in your goals Della!! I LOVE your blog name btw x
ReplyDeleteAoife | https://www.aoifecaitriona.co.uk/
Thank you so much lovely! xx
DeleteHappy New Year!! Good luck with all of your goals for 2021! Becoming a published author is not easy but worth all of the effort! Go you! It takes time to heal after a breakup, so take the time you need and even seek therapy if needed - definitely worth it, they give great insights with letting go and healing. Hope 2021 will be a great year for you!
ReplyDeleteNancy ✨ mdrnminimalists.com
Thank you so much for your lovely comment! I hope 2021 is great for you too xx
Deletesome great goals! I need to spend more time away from my phone, and I'm definitely hoping to travel more when we can! I hope you achieve your goals :)
ReplyDeleteThank you lovely!
Deletesuch a great post! There is nothing more rewarding than working on yourself, and so important for success! Also good luck at becoming an author, I have my fingers and toes crossed!
ReplyDeletehere is my latest post, everything is returned!
https://sophiapatel.co.uk
Thank you so much, that means a lot!!
DeleteThe greatest gift of 2020 was the gift of time. I love that you are ready to pursue your desire to become an author. Best of luck finding the perfect place for your books and may the words flow!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much lovely!!
DeleteReally wiah you can accomplish your goals for this new year!<3
ReplyDeletewww.pimentamaisdoce.blogspot.com
Thank you!!
DeleteThese goals are fantastic ones - good luck in your venture in becoming a published author, especially! X
ReplyDeleteThank you so much lovely!!
DeleteAhhh the first goal is mine! Becoming a traditionally published author! And yes, I've always wanted to have less screen time on my phone but as a new blogger, social media is just too important for engagement. God bless with your goals, they're great!
ReplyDeletewww.lifebeginsattwenty.com
Aww amazing, I wish you all the best with it too! Thank you so much xx
Deletei find your goals so admirable! hope you acheive whatever you set your mind to!
ReplyDeleteI just want to spend more time with my loved ones and do what's best for me. I hope you achieve all your goals. Great post.
ReplyDeleteThank you lovely!
DeleteThese are great goals for 2021! I wish you a lot of success, and health and happiness in 2021 and wish you all the best in getting published this year!
ReplyDeleteSome amazing goals here and happy new year! I'd like to spend more time away from my phone in 2021 and I hope that travel will become possible again soon as I've missed it a lot!
ReplyDeleteTash - A Girl with a View
Thank you so much lovely!
DeleteSome great goals for you Della and I truly hope you can publish your books! This year has been a year of growth despite the situation, I completely agree! Hope you can achieve all your goals x
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!!
DeleteGood luck with all of your goals! I always used to dream about having a book published too, but am yet to finish writing one haha! I wish you all the luck with it, and hope you're able to get it out there xx
ReplyDeleteHannah | https://luxuryblush.co.uk/
Thank you, that's so kind xx
DeleteVery interesting goals - good luck! I hope you achieve all of them :) Happy New Year!! xo
ReplyDeletexoxo Olivia | http://www.oliviaandbeauty.com/
Thank you!
DeleteThanks for sharing your goals for this coming year, hopefully you get to complete them :)
ReplyDeleteNic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes
Wishing you all the luck with your 2021 goals, I'll be rooting for you xx
ReplyDeleteThank you!!
DeleteThese are brilliant goals for the year ahead. And despite the difficulties of the last 12 months, Your positivity shines through x
ReplyDeleteThank you so much xx
DeleteThese are such great goals! Mine is to work on improving my blog more. Wishing you all the best for 2021!
ReplyDeleteThank you1!
DeleteGreat goals, good luck with everything! I really hope I can travel more (or at all really) in 2021. Less phone time was a big one of mine last year and I did really well until lockdown happened so I've been trying to get that back on track again recently 😂 x
ReplyDeleteSophie
www.glowsteady.co.uk
Thank you lovely! I feel you, lockdown didn't help with no phone time haha xx
DeleteI really hope you manage to get your books published this year! What an achievement that would be, you’ve got this!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much lovely!
DeleteThat's so cool we have a similar goal this 2021. Amazing how you wrote a YA novel and 3 children's book. I've also written a YA novel and am actually in the process of self-publishing it on Amazon this Q1. Do let me know when you're books are out! Would love to check them out. Will you be self-publishing or going the traditional route of looking for a literary agent to represent your work? :)
ReplyDeleteOh wow, that's amazing, congrats!! I'm going through the traditional route xx
DeleteThank you, Della!! Wishing you the best of luck in finding a literary agent. :)
DeleteLove to see your goals! I am so down with travelling the second we can! I am really hoping that my destination wedding in May can go ahead. I've already got the bug for some summer sunshine! I would also like to decrease my screen time!
ReplyDeleteRosie
https://www.loverosiee.co.uk
Thank you lovely! I hope that's able to go ahead for you in May xx
DeleteThese sound like really meaningful and intentional goals for this year. I am planning on working on myself more this year. Good luck with your 2021 goals, I hope you have an amazing and successful year. Hopefully this year will be a lot safer and happier for us all.
ReplyDeleteLauren
Thank you so much! Good luck with all your goals too xx
DeleteI love all your goals. Go and write your book! I've been writing mine since I was 13! Really want to be published before I'm 40 in 2022 so need to get moving! I am sure 2021 will be better than 2020 in lots of ways. Best of luck with your goals
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I hope you can get yours published soon xx
DeleteSaving more, read a lot of books, and travel are my goals in 2021! I have a lot but those are something I want to achieve this year. You have so many great goals, Della! Hope you can achieve them all - best luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, I hope you can achieve them too! xx
DeleteYesss love all of these! Best of luck with your goals :) Spending more time away from my phone, more quality time with myself and others as well as being more present every day are my goals for this year! x
ReplyDeleteThank you!! Fab goals, I hope you can achieve them x
DeleteSome great goals, this is such an inspiring post! Wishing you all the best with becoming a published author, that's such an exciting experience. I hope you achieve them all :)
ReplyDeleteAnika | chaptersofmay.com
Thank you so much, that's so kind xx
DeleteIncredible goals! I wish you all the luck in the world with achieving them too! especially the published author one! :D
ReplyDeleteAshleigh - https://www.ashleighsmoments.com
Thank you so much!! xx
DeleteThese sound like great goal. Congratulations on finishing the books.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteYou've written four books?! What an accomplishment, congratulations! I have no doubt you will achieve every goal you set your heart on.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, that's so sweet!
DeleteI can relate to so many of your goals, I definitely want to travel more when it ever becomes possible again <3
ReplyDeleteLackaDaisy
I hope we both can xx
DeleteOh wow, Amazing goals here! You can do it bab! x
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThese are such fantastic goals! I really want to read more this year, write more blog posts and learn to curl my hair with straighteners!! :) xx
ReplyDeleteHolly | www.gollymissholly.uk
I think we're all excited to spend more time with loved ones this year! I've missed them so much and I can't wait to get back to my more sociable life!
ReplyDeleteKatie | katieemmabeauty.com