HAPPY NEW YEAR, FRIENDS!
I’m so pumped to get into my FIRST post on Hustle + Halcyon in 2017!
2016 brought me so many blessings, including graduating from college, lots of success through H+H, and the opportunity to move out to Los Angeles to pursue blogging as my full-time job.
The last year was all about being intentional, as marked by my 2016 New Year’s resolution post. The idea was to be focussed & purposeful.
For 2016, this resolution was exactly what I needed for the year I experienced. Finishing school, developing a business of my own, & staying focussed/settling down in a city like Los Angeles required discipline & the development of superstar time-management skills.
I wasn’t always at my best, but I tried to be efficient with my time, ensuring growth & development in important areas of my life with the time I had in each day.
If this sounds robotic, it’s because it IS. I can’t help it. My general nature is organized, purposeful, & hyper-focussed ( unless it’s Friday night, and I let myself indulge in a shot or 10, LOL ).
Being intentional IS very important, but I took that whole idea to entirely new heights… as to be expected.
2016 was the year of “no” ( especially since moving to LA in July ). It was the year of little distraction, no dating & little week-night spontaneity, as those things often threaten my ability to focus & be productive. They take my eyes off the prize.
It was the year of busy nearly-every-second of nearly-every-day. I retreated back to my pre-college OCD tendencies, and the goal was to fucking kill it. I’m really proud of my 2016-self.
That being said, 2017’s resolution is to:
Slow Down, Observe, & Ask More Questions
Yes, quite the opposite of 2016’s resolution. Admittedly, my extremist nature/my love for poetic meaning is DIGGING the contrast between the two ( nerd ).
Usually, my observation skills are top-notch. By that I mean: I’ve always been that hyper-aware person who sees, hears, & remembers everything.
A shining example: When I was 11, my family went on a trip to Washington DC ( a “vacation” by Sartain family standards, because PATRIOTIC AF ). We took a cab to do some really “fun” monument hopping, when my father realized that he left our digital camera ( LOL– cabs & hand-held digital cameras… a different time ) in the cab.
No problem, though, because I had memorized the driver’s name, the name of the cab company, and his cab & license numbers. Ya know, normal things to notice.
…. my whole family was shocked but oddly not shocked. Their faces said WTF and also OF COURSE YOU MEMORIZE THAT WEIRD STUFF YOU FREAK RAIN MAN TINY HUMAN.
My point is, observation has always been my strong suit. BUT– throughout my year of intentional behavior & massive to-do lists, I was moving too fast to even notice the world around me.
If you think about it, observing your surroundings is the beginning of everything. It’s where discovery, innovation, and creativity starts. I was focussing on productivity so much that I forgot to open my eyes. Anyone feel me on this one?
So, in 2017, I’m slowing it the hell down, disconnecting every now & then, and not always living by my to-do list. Most importantly: I need to open my eyes to my surroundings.
I need observe, reflect, & ask more questions. Ya know, talk to other human beings. Yes— normal human contact is included in my resolution ( as a natural introvert, this is sure to be extra painful… but rewarding, I’m sure ).
Also, I need to start saying yes to things. In the past year, I’ve seen things that don’t directly improve my work as distractions, rather than experiences to learn & grow from.
Like I said, that hyper-focus was what I needed last year, but the year ahead is different. Eyes open.
In the spirit of slowing down, I’ve changed a few little things about daily life.
In the last week, I’ve been a little less active on social media ( sorry, my snapchat gals ). Instead of driving the 5 minutes to get my morning coffee fix, I’ve started to walk. I’ve been less rigorous about scheduling things back-to-back all day, every day.
I’ve done something social outside of blogging/blogging events/hanging out with bloggers this week. SRSLY YAY FOR ME, THIS IS ALL VERY EXCITING.
Maybe I’ll even go on a date this year…. okay, LOLOL, lets not get ahead of ourselves here *practices deep breathing exercise thinking about wasting THAT much time*.
Of course, being intentional & purposeful is always important, and it’s a must if you’re running your own business. I’m hoping that taking a second to breath, relax, and observe will lead to more creative, more purposeful work moving forward. Driving yourself crazy isn’t exactly an efficient working practice, ya know?
It’s ultimately about balance, though I know that’s very boring to hear.
In terms of 2017 on Hustle + Halcyon, I’m planning on writing a lot more, sharing more of the things that inspire me, & finally freakinnnnnn doing videos & tutorials. I promise, ONE OF THESE DAMN DAYS, it’ll happen.
What do y’all think about my resolution?? Anyone else feel like they kicked their own ass a little too hard ( in the best way tho ) in 2016? Relatable?
What are y’alls’ resolutions?
Talk soon weenie babies. xx
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im So wIth you. I Constantly turn things down because i worry ill get distracted or wont have enough tIme to do the other things i had planned. im probally not Making much sense right now, but i Just waNted to say i TOTALLY UNDERSTAND where yoUre coming from. LovEEe this post.
Makes so much sense!! I do the SAME damn thing. It’s good for your focus, but probably not good to be that way ALWAYS. Thanks for the love beeb! xx
some of My favorite posts. Your resolutions. i love the thought and soul that goes into them.
one of my resolutions this year was inspired by yours last year and living intentionally. I love it. But, it is a tricky one because, like you, im either one extreme or another. and i have to remember to slow down enough for my family and my little guy.. yet kick ass, intentionally.
Love your insite. love that i found you on social.
xx
@sheismeaganlee
Thanks Meagan!!! I LOVE following you, too! You’re killin’ it babe. Thanks for the love as always. xx
I feel this so hard. It felt like you were describing my own mind to me. Good luck with your resolution! I’m trying to work on this as well. It’s a lot easier said than done. i feel like I’m always consumed with trying to finish my to-do list which never happens. For every one thing I check off, I add 4 more.
Ugh, I FEEL. Wishing you the best of luck in chilling out! xx