My 2024 Goals!

Happy New Year!

Before the end of 2023, I reviewed the goals I’d set. You know? I didn’t do so bad.

I was worried that, because my retail job and looking for a 9-5 job felt like it took over my life, I’d ignored my goals.

Regardless, in 2024, I have a similar vision (to what I had in 2023), but I feel like I can articulate it better this time. I was able to put more tangible goals to my overall vision.

Here goes:

2024 phrase: be still and know 

This is a biblical phrase, but I’m using it with a bit of a different meaning.

To make a long explanation short, my overall goal for this year is “quiet confidence,” or if you’re on TikTok, “Quiet Life.”

I feel like I spent a lot of time on output — between work, the blog, the podcast, social media, the Etsy Shop, the newsletter… and there’s not a lot of input to recharge myself.

So, I’m looking to set more boundaries (with others, with work, and with myself) to allow more time to look inward, recharge, and “live quietly.”

All of my 2024 goals fit under my phrase of the year. Here they are:

more boundaries

Last year, I read “The Book of Boundaries” by Melissa Urban (you can read my notes on it here), and I’ll be honest: boundaries aren’t something I’ve thought much of throughout my life.

Generally speaking, I’ve always done a good job having a clear boundary between my 9-5 job and what’s outside of that (I even have a completely separate workspace in my tiny apartment).

But, I am not good at setting boundaries with friends, family, or even when it comes to working on personal projects vs. just relaxing and having fun.

I’ve also been increasingly poor at setting social media boundaries ever since the pandemic, so it’s time to set some boundaries there.

more looking inward

As I mentioned above, I spend a lot of time sharing what’s happening in my life — some of that is because I want to — but I also think part of it is because I’m seeking outside validation and genuine social connection.

The genuine social connection won’t be resolved with this one, but I’m going to be more mindful about what I’m choosing to broadcast when it comes to social media, publications, and even to friends and family.

My journal will be the main source of my sharing 🙂

I’m hoping to come out of 2024 needing much less outside validation after being a little more quiet about my work and my life.

more healthy routines

I worked retail for a little more than half of 2023, and my daily schedule and routine was all sorts of wild. Some people do well when things look different every day, but I am not one of those people.

After getting my 9-5 job, I just wanted to focus on showing up for that and putting my best foot forward, so I didn’t force myself to create many routines or even do much for myself outside of work.

That, of course, has upsides and downsides.

So, I have some healthy routines I’m setting for myself, including:

• Taking my morning and nighttime supplements
• Journaling more often (not necessarily daily, but multiple times per week)
• Walking daily (not putting a step count on this yet, just getting into the habit)
• Completing a monthly juice cleanse (I did this in 2022 and really enjoyed it)
• Creating a nighttime routine that makes sense for me

I already set up a daily habit tracker so I can remember everything I want to accomplish!

more saving

After losing my job, working freelance and retail for a year, my finances have seen better days (they’ve seen worse days, too).

I have debt to pay down and a savings account to rebuild, and while I’m going to be gentle with myself, this is a really important goal for me.

Instead of telling myself I can’t spend any money, I want to be more mindful about how I spend my money. Since the pandemic, I think I’ve turned to things to provide happiness, and while it sometimes works, I have ended up with a lot of stuff and obviously not a lot of savings.

So, I’m starting by using what I have. I’m not going to buy products or things I already have; I’m such a sucker for a sale, I often “stock up” when things go on sale when I don’t actually need them.

Even books, crafts, and random other things; I already have them at home. I’m going to use up what I have, and then be mindful about spending when I need to.

I already eat at home for most meals, and really have only one trip planned for 2024, so those are other ways I’ll be saving money.

More Quiet Hobbies

“Quiet hobbies” makes it sound like I normally have loud hobbies, which I don’t.

But, I’ve let other, non-beneficial hobbies, take over my time (mostly doom scrolling on social media) and I want to spend it in other ways, such as:

• Reading (this means reading books I have, not buying more or checking out library books)
• Writing (of course, I am still part of my writing group and am working on scripts)
• Designing items for the Etsy Shop
• Working on craft projects (diamond painting, scrapbooking, calligraphy)

Whew! It seems like a lot, but I like that these are tangible things to word toward, and I feel like I’m building a good foundation.

What are you accomplishing this year?

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