So here we are again at the beginning of a new year. What now?
Admittedly, 2016 was a little out of focus. I didn’t particularly know where life, nor sometimes my head, was heading towards. I just went with the flow of the stream of beginnings which brought forth a new job, new friends, new opportunities and accentuated philosophies. But there had been a heap load of challenges. And just like the madness of global politics and affairs, 2016 felt like an incomparable cloud of doubt which I’m determined to get rid of.
Laurie shared this article about things to focus on and I couldn’t agree more. So here’s a few things I’d like to hone and develop for the next year.
Family and Friendly Ties
I spent the last weeks of 2016 and the first few days of 2017 with my friends and family and by the time they had to leave I was a bloody wreck at the airport. I’m going to refocus my energy into becoming a better daughter, sister, niece, cousin. I don’t have to do grand gestures, but ya know, little things like calling once a week, or WhatsApping a bit more. I don’t want to leave it too long until I see them nor speak to them again.
I’m also going to make more effort to be present for friends when they need me.
Blogging is not automatic
The Girl Next Shore is a really important part of my life and I’ve met a lot of awesome people and had great opportunities through it. However, I have to be honest, blogging felt rather automatic last year. I look back at my posts and realise something felt amiss, and I feel like that something was me. I miss my old style, I miss writing because I loved it, not because I had to do it. So whilst food and travel will still be a big feature on the blog, I’d like to refocus on writing stuff that really matter. Things about life and the like. Well and good if that brings more readers, but if not, at least I know it would still be fun, because I’m writing for me.
Work work work work work
I’ve just hit my first year in the “new” job and whilst it has its challenges, I actually enjoy what I’m doing. My marketing team is pretty cool and the camaraderie amongst colleagues is fantastic. This year I’d like to focus on the motivation that drives me to become the best I can be. I’d like to commit myself into better organisation and work ethics. Because what’s life if you’re not doing something you love, non?
Mindfulness
We’re not getting any younger and life’s too short to be spent worrying. Those who’ve been Hygge-ing or Marie Kondo-ing the shizzle out of last year say simplicity is key - perhaps there’s truth to that. I want 2017 to become an overall fresh clean slate. Like, switch off from the negatives, reorganise closets, throw away unnecessary things, and be a bit more mindful for the benefit of wellness. Eventually, everything else will follow. Fingers crossed.
Kill ’em with kindness
It astounds me, the fact that some people have so much time bitching and making other people’s lives miserable. I mean gossip is innate to human nature, but to actually take time to make people suffer is just so yesterday. In the blogging world, there are trolls (who seem to forget that IP addresses and sources can be tracked, even with VPN). In real life, there are nasty people. I’m going to focus on being kinder to people I actually like and forget about those who try to bring me down. Because frankly, I don’t give a shit and what the world needs now is love, sweet love.
Global citizen of the world
My passport is thirsty for more stamps and I am in constant daydreams of seeing the world’s corners and embracing more diverse cultures. I can’t wait to take more #girlnextshorejumps, sausage legs photos, scenic selfies and such.
Here’s a few on my plan for the first half of the year. I’m focusing more on Europe, revisiting some favourite cities and checking out new ones, too. (Photos by Travel Channel)
King’s Landing in Croatia
Back to the French Riviera for ports, boats, and a heapload of rose la piscine!
Stuff my face silly at the La Boqueria in Barcelona, and visit three different tapas bars in San Sebastian.
Visiting my bestie in Berlin.
Going back on the streets of Prague.
Firenze is beautiful in Spring.
Medieval and sunny Porto!
I haven’t finished my plans for the whole year yet, but I’m excited to schedule in more time! =)
Oh, 2016. Your ship has sailed and I am back on the shore.
2017 will be a good year. I can feel it. Here’s to the rest of the year ahead, folks =)
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I’m liking your approach to 2017 - I like to to be one of those glass half full people! Your travel plans for the year sound wonderful… I’ve been eyeing up a return to San Seb, so many delicious memories from that city!
Author
It was actually your trip that inspired me to add San Seb! Thanks Connie, here’s to an awesome year ahead!!! =)
Ahh what exciting plans!! Looking forward to seeing some new and exciting content on the bog hon!
Author
Thanks hon! Can’t wait to write with love, too! x
Fabulous plans - and I love your goals to focus on. Mindfulness is one of mine as well 🙂
Author
The ironic thing about mindfulness is that when you try to keep things simple, it can get complicated! Here’s to us being mindful! x
I feel similarly about my life in 2016. Your 2017 plans look super exciting and it’s great you’re loving your job, making time for family and friends and not auto-blogging. All the best for the year!
Author
Thanks Sarah! So far 2017’s being a really good one! I hope your year pans out better! x
Berlin is such a cool city and I also remember going as a child and buying a piece of the Berlin wall as a souvenir. Recommendations for Prague please!!!!!
Author
The Berlin wall souvenir is ace! When are you off to Prague? =)
God you are such a lovely little bean of a human! Absolutely love these “refocusings” and we are so on the same page re many of them… good luck with them my darling 😀 and is that a tattoo I spy?! you dare devil! Love AP xo
Andrea’s Passions
Author
Hahaha. It is, indeed! I can’t wait til we get our energies on this whole refocus thing! =)
What a lovely heartwarming post! I haven’t written a personal post yet and I’ve wanted to for ages so I think next week I’m just going to throw myself out there 🙂 . Forget about the negativity, I’m a big believer in karma and what goes around comes around. Focus your energies on me, myself and I and forgot about the silly trolls. Can’t wait to see more #girlnextshorejumps and sausage leg photos 🙂
Author
Awww, thanks Maggie! It’s very liberating to get back to writing from a personal perspective, but still cautious to not wear my heart on my sleeve! =) Thanks doll - and I’m loving your IG stories! xx
Love your outlook of 2017 and cannot wait to read more of your posts! Also, hope Japan manages to squeeze in-between those lovely destinations this year. xoxo, nano
Author
Thanks Nano! Japan might be next year! x
I could really relate to some of what you were saying here. I think it’s easy in blogging sometimes to forget why we did it or what the original passion was, whether that was photography, writing, videos etc. For me, it was the writing and for a while there, I lost my way a bit in getting down on myself about aspects of it that never drove me in the first place but that you get caught up in when you compare yourself to others. When I went back to basics and wrote the way I love, I fell back in love with it again. I made it to Porto and Croatia last year for the first time and both absolutely gorgeous so hope you end up ticking those off! I have no idea yet where the wind will take me this year but fingers crossed something in the diary soon 🙂
Author
Awww I’m so happy you understand, Shikha! I’m with you on the comparison thing and I realised when I stopped comparing myself to others I genuinely remembered why I started blogging in the first place, because I liked writing and I express myself so much better on pen and paper (or on the keyboad). Can’t wait to fall back in love! =)
I’m going to seriously stalk your blog on Porto and Croatia posts! =)
xxx
Love this, Honey! I agree about the blogging - I’ve been writing so sporadically over the last six months because it had become a bit of a chore to me, at least mentally. I think we have to just find new ways to approach blogging in order to love it again, and I’d love to hear what has been working for you! Here’s to a fantastic year full of opportunities, expanding our horizons and enjoying being with friends and loved ones 🙂 xx
Author
Oh but you write so beautifully, T! I guess as long as we know we are writing about what we love then we’d be more than okay 😉 Hang out soon!
Any plans of visiting Sydney soon? I’ve moved! No longer in SG, I am AU based now. So if you happen to find yourself in Sydney, know that you have a friend here