7 Things I’m Doing To Prep For 2018

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faux fur jacket, blush ruffle sleeve blouse, black ann taylor pants, nude pumps, and gucci velvet cross body bag

faux fur jacket, blush ruffle sleeve blouse, black ann taylor pants, nude pumps, and gucci velvet cross body bag

faux fur jacket, blush ruffle sleeve blouse, black ann taylor pants, nude pumps, and gucci velvet cross body bag

faux fur jacket, blush ruffle sleeve blouse, black ann taylor pants, nude pumps, and gucci velvet cross body bag

faux fur jacket, blush ruffle sleeve blouse, black ann taylor pants, nude pumps, and gucci velvet cross body bag

OK I’ve said it like a thousand times but I’m gonna say it again…HOW is it the end of 2017?! Another year down in the books, and a new one to prepare for. Crazy!

This probably isn’t a surprise to anyone who follows the blog on the reg or watches my Insta Stories, but I really really really love this time of year and the idea of a fresh new year. I’m a goal setter, a learner, a researcher, and getting myself into the mindset of what I want to accomplish in a new year freaking excites the heck outta me. It always has actually, since I was a kid!

And since I know lots of people feel the same – and want to take advantage of the surge of motivation a new year usually brings, I wanted to write out everything I’m doing to prep for 2018 in case y’all are interested in doing similar things!

Reflecting

When’s the last time you actually sat down to mindfully reflect? As in, go over what you loved doing in 2017, what you hated, where you grew, where you got stuck, who you met, mistakes you made, challenges you faced, projects you killed, impacts you made, decisions you regret, etc. There’s a lot to consider! But unless you’re truly taking decimated time to sit back and reflect, you probably won’t get anywhere with it.

So, I’ve been taking early mornings to do a little journaling that involves self-reflection. It’s honestly a little painful to think back at some cringe-worthy moments of 2017 or when I wasn’t proud of a decision, but it’s also SO motivating and exciting thinking of ways to improve my life, and patting myself on the back for all the positive that came out of2017. I actually bought a new notebook for this practice this year and hope to keep these self-reflections in this same notebook in the future years. Because how cool would it be to look back at a reflection of say a decade, in a decade?! #feels

Cleaning out tech

OK, no fun, but it actually feels amazing when you’re done. Between my computer, hard drive, iPad, phone, etc., there’s a lot of files, photos, all the things floating around on my devices. So just like you would clean out your closet (which is a great practice this time of year, too), clean out other things you use on a daily basis. It sounds cheesy, but you’ll probs feel a lot lighter heading into 2018 – or at the least, way more organized.

A bucket list

This is fun! Y’all know I like to travel, but I got a bit burnout this past year. I’m feeling more rested and am actually starting to crave a future trip, so I wrote down everywhere I’d like to go in 2018. And then once I was done with locations, I kept going with other bucket list items that I’d love to cross out. For example, hosting a Dallas meet up (would y’all be interested??), test driving a podcast, having a spa day, taking my parents on a trip, and so forth. They don’t have to be grand or involve going anywhere, but more so things or ideas you’d like to do in your upcoming year.

If you don’t like writing things out, use Pinterest or something similar to make a bucket list/mood board for your 2018 outlook. I think this is a such a great idea for envisioning how you want your year to look, don’t y’all?

Finding a mantra

OK I’m not talking about anything too cheesy here, but quotes have always really spoken to me. Whether verse from the bible, or general motivational quotes from books or even Pinterest, I love a good quote. And I think the idea of having one big mantra or quote to inspire you for the new year is cool.

After doing self-reflection and your bucket list, you’ll probably notice a general theme that you’re looking to for the new year – whether it’s #girlbossing, happiness, health, not caring about others, hustling, getting closer to Him, whatever – see if finding a mantra makes you feel good inside. Then, I like to put that quote on the screen of my phone and computer and even on a post-it note in my bathroom bc I’m a dork like that. If y’all are interested in some of my favorite quotes, check out my faith board or regular quote board – I store a lot!

Create a grateful list

This is super simple and super effective for going into a new year feeling positive, grateful, and happy.

Simply make a huge list of everything and everyone you’re grateful for this year. Big things and little things. No certain number – just keep going with your list until it feels right. I have this on tap for this weekend!

Make a plan for delegation

I already touched on this recently, but this has been a huge year of delegating for me, and since seeing the instant benefits of doing it, my life has gotten easier. I still have a bunch of little tasks that I want to put on someone else, so I’m writing those out and making a plan for how to get those off my plate. That involves making a budget for how much I can allocate to these things, and then finding people to help.

Having a self-love day

I read this in a magazine a while back this year and as lame as it sounds, have been SO excited to make this happen soon. I truly can’t remember the last time I took a whole ME day without working or doing something I didn’t want to, but to end the year right, I’m gonna do it!!! I kinda love the idea of doing this on Jan 1, but I think I’ll do it right before the end of the year – but that’s not the point. Basically, give yourself a whole day as a kind of personal reset and reboot before jumping into all your goals and tasks for 2018. You can thank my later for this one!

OK y’all, that was a pretty personal post and y’all always have such great ideas to add, so PLZ add anything you’re doing to end the year in the comments. Do y’all do something similar? Let me knowww!

Outfit Details: Eliza J Faux Fur Coat // Bobeau Ruffle Sleeve Top (ON SALE for $36! SUCH a good top for work AND play! I have in 3 colors now!) // WHBM Black Pant // Dee Keller Blush Pumps (similar HERE) // Gucci Velvet Bag