2022… what a year! It feels as though it’s gone super slow and lightning speed all at the same time, doesn’t it? Me and Matthew started the year with one of our biggest client videography projects to date, I got a fantastic new job and I went abroad for the first time in about three years. I did some really cool content collabs, took on a new freelance client, saw a bunch of my favourite musicians live, and ended the year by joining the Board of Directors for a new CIC. And of course, the year hasn’t been without it’s lows too, like my dad passing away and my Instagram being hacked. In summary, it’s been a completely unpredictable, mad ride of a year.
But in The Northernist tradition, the end of the year is the time where I look back at my goals to see if I achieved them and set myself some new ones for the year ahead. So let’s have a look back at my 2022 goals…
1. Get back on track with saving
I think I well and truly smashed this goal in 2022. As an individual, I feel like I’m in the most comfortable position financially that I’ve ever been, and as a couple, me and Matthew are at a point where we’re seriously thinking about buying our first home. It’s such a nice place to be in and it makes me feel really positive about the future. I’m definitely going to keep the saving up into the New Year!
2. Make more time for hobbies
I did so well with this! I definitely leaned more into the crafting side of my hobbies, picking up a new interest from Make & Mend 2022 and embellishing more embroidery hoops than you can shake a stick at. I wanted to do a bit more weaving, but that took a bit of a backseat, and I didn’t do as much reading as I would’ve liked. But I also got pretty into games during 2022, which I never thought I’d say. I’ve been stretching out the story of Pokemon Arceus because I don’t want it to end, and I re-picked up Sims 4 and Rollercoaster Tycoon. It was a year of making time for fun.
3. Learn more about other areas of Teesside
I haven’t done as well with this goal as I had hoped, especially because I thought it was one of the easiest. I currently live pretty far out from Teesside – the closest ‘big’ place is Middlesbrough and that’s around a 25 minute drive. But as a Teesside advocate, I should be making the time to go out and see all the surrounding areas. With my new job, I’ve spent a fair bit of time around Darlington, and I’ve been out towards Guisborough/Great Ayton in my own time, but there’s still so much to explore.
4. Get into a regular gym routine
So I wouldn’t say I’m in a regular routine, but I go to the gym as often as I feel necessary and enough so that I get the good feels. Right now, that’s about three times a week. It might be every other day and the weekend off, or I might throw in a Saturday session. I don’t have set days and times, but it’s working for me and that’s what counts!
5. Take the steps to kickstart a project
Right, this ‘project’ that I was talking about in this goal has been on my mind for years. In theory, it should be fairly easy to start up, but I don’t think I have the confidence for it. The imposter syndrome is real, so for now, this is parked. But there’s nothing to say that I might pick it up one day and turn it into a thing. I’ll definitely keep you in the loop.
What are my goals for 2023?
So looking back at my 2022 goals, I like to think I was pretty successful with them. Three properly smashed goals out of five isn’t too bad, right? But now it’s time to have a look at what I’m aiming for in 2023.
1. Read more
I used to be a bookworm. I could devour books in one sitting, but after doing an English degree, reading became a chore. Sure, I pick up books every now and then, and most of them I do finish. But I want to really fall back in love with reading. I’ve got shelves full of books that I want to get stuck into, so in 2023, I want to read at least one book a month. That feels like a good number to start with.
2. Go to more workshops
As I mentioned in my previous goals, I’m a crafty person and I really love going to workshops. Whether they’re for a craft I already enjoy or to try something new, there’s just something about getting stuck into a workshop. Of course, Make & Mend is the perfect opportunity to do a workshop or two, but there are lots of others going on across the area. I want to make the time to actually go to some! I’ve also toyed with the idea of joining Pimm’s & Needles, but I need to be brave about going on my lonesome.
3. Get back into blogging
This blog is my baby and always will be. I’m a big fan of SEO and the power of Google, so The Northernist, the written blog, isn’t going away any time soon. But I’m desperate to fall back in love with actually sitting down and writing on it. I think it’s hard because I work in digital marketing and spend my day at a computer screen, so the last thing I want to do is type more. But I love this blog and what it’s become, so in 2023, I’ll be on here more.
4. Start home hunting properly
Like I said in my re-cap of my 2022 goals, me and Matthew are definitely in a position to start looking for our first home. It’s really made me realise, though, that they just don’t teach you about this stuff in school! We’re not really sure where to start or how to even go about getting a house. All I know is that I’m a sucker for Rightmove and I can’t wait to properly start finding our future home.
5. Be more confident
If there’s one thing I lack, it’s confidence. Saying that, I’m a lot more confident than I used to be, but I’m cripplingly shy, I always second guess myself and I can’t ever voice an opinion. So I really want to work on my confidence in the New Year. I don’t know how I’ll go about doing that yet, but I think I’m off to a decent start by being on a Board of Directors (more on that soon!).
Honestly, 2022 was a really good year for me, despite the dips. I feel like I’m coming out of it as a stronger person and really content with life. I’m just in a very happy place at the moment. I also feel positive about my goals, so make sure you check back in June to see how I’m getting on with them.
What are your goals for 2023?
