Every year I look forward to sitting down and writing this post but after a tumultuous two years and an ongoing pandemic, I am doing so through a different lens than usual. I typically start a short list on my Notes app in the Fall every year as ideas for the forthcoming year start to come into focus.  Then, I sit down the first week of January and really think through everything I’d like to accomplish with the clean slate that is a new year.

Aside from what I’ve outlined below, this year I really want to focus on doing things with more BALANCE. Last year, I set my word as INTENTION and feel like in doing so I was able to really be more focused. But in 2021, I also worked way too much. This year I want to find better work / life balance and really focus my time and energy on remaining true to a healthier, more social lifestyle that revolves less around work. 

2022 Goals & Priorities

Take an actual vacation.

This is a big one for me this year. Last year I barely took any time off. I worked way too many weekends. And so many of my trips inevitably end up feeling like work as I share them. I genuinely enjoy photography and capturing my travels but this year I want to book a trip that I don’t share anything in real time, I put up my out of office notices and I truly turn off and tune out. I actually just booked this trip last week – can you guess where I plan to go in September?

Better separate the weeks from weekends.

I too often let work bleed into the weekend. As part of my aforementioned pursuit of more work/life balance in my life this year, I’d like to find a way to take time off from work and on social media on the weekends.

Limit time on social media. 

Relatedly, I’d really like to better limit my time on social media. I hate that Instagram is such a big part of my job and the FOMO and loss of revenue that it incites every time I log off. But for my own mental health, I need to be better about mindlessly scrolling and better pursue non-screen time activities this year.

Visit Paris every quarter.

This has been a goal since 2020 but the pandemic has largely thrown this off course. For my Paris, Perfected business, I constantly am trying out new spots in Paris to see whether they get my stamp of approval to share with clients who book with me. But I am also hopeful to take a fun, personal and non-work related Paris trip this year, too.

Take a video editing course & Canva course.

Last year I did more video than ever both on Instagram and on TikTok. I largely taught myself but I know there’s so much more that’s possible so I’d like to take a video editing course and then also a Canva course for me to improve the assets I make for my wit & whimsy brand.

Learn to make a few classic French dishes.

I’ve been meaning to learn a few classic French dishes like coq au vin and creme brulee for many years. I’d like this to be the year I practice and find a rhythm in cooking French dishes.

Finish decorating my apartment.

I’ve made so much progress on my new home so far but I have a variety of projects outstanding as well as all the art & styling still to get to. I’m also planning to renovate my entire bathroom but I think that’ll be a 2023 project. I’m sharing the entire process on Instagram if you don’t yet follow me there!

Pick back up my French lessons.

I fell off my daily Duolingo French lessons when I was in Paris last October. I’ve picked them back up at the onset of the year and it’s been nice to be practicing a bit of French every day. And perhaps even take another class.

Read 40 books.

My reading for pleasure last year was rather abysmal. I think I barely made it to 25 books? (I had set my goal at 50). So this year I’m splitting the difference and aiming to read 40.

Explore France further. 

I absolutely love traveling in France and this year would like to return to Normandy or Brittany and the South of France. I’m also hoping to do day trips to Versailles and Champagne this year.

Grow my newsletter list.

This is one of many business-related goals I have. I keep a separate list of wit & whimsy goals on my Notes app that are traffic and revenue driven but thought I’d share that in 2022 I really will be focusing on growing my newsletter and offering exclusive content that only lives there. 

Get back to healthy habits

Due to a variety of reasons in 2021, I majorly fell off my healthy habits. I stopped my favorite Five Minute Journal and Daily Stoic daily practices, I stopped meditating, I wasn’t doing my Melissa Wood Health workouts regularly and I was eating too much sugar and drinking too much alcohol. I started 2022 by re-implementing all of these things and I did a 7 day reset diet to try and rid myself of my sugar cravings and get back to eating healthier. Now I hope to sustain my habits through the year.

Fear the unknown less and get more uncomfortable

As someone who suffers from anxiety, I prefer to be in control, always have a plan and I often avoid getting uncomfortable. As I spent time offline over the holidays, I thought more about how I’d like my life to change and getting uncomfortable and leaning into my fears is what is stopping me from realizing some of my other dreams. 2022, let’s get uncomfortable.

. . .

Do you have any goals or a word you’re setting for this year? I’d love to hear if so.

You May Also Like:

• My 2021 Goals & Priorities.
• The Best Things I Bought in 2021.
• Favorite Books I Read in 2021.

 

[Similar Coat // Sweater; L // Jeans // Sneakers]