13 Things I Want To Do In 2020

I'm planning a big year in 2020. I feel like I have spent much of 2019 recovering from a rocky 2018, finding my feet and settling into who 'grown up-ish Sian' is. I've been getting stuck into work, a new house, family life has been going through a big change. Now that I feel reasonably grounded, there's a lot that I want to achieve in 2020, in terms of my own personal growth, blog stuff, changing habits and everything else in between. I'm not setting 'resolutions' as such but more like a bucket list or a target list for the year, filled with everything I'd like to get done in the next 12 months. Let me tell you all about it.

1. Go to America
A close friend of mine is currently living in California as an au pair, so one of my biggest plans for this year is to head out for a week or so for a visit. She's not far from San Francisco, which has been on my travel bucket list for years, so I am super excited!

2. FINALLY get my house sorted
We've been living in this house for just over year, but I still go in my spare bedroom and it looks like I've just moved in. While other rooms are getting there, but still in need of some organisation and a few more homely touches to make them truly ours. So one of my goals for this year is definitely to get organised, finish off decorating and finally have matching furniture in every room!

3. Get a new car
I've had my first little car (Francesco the Fiesta) for about 18 months now, and while it still runs really well, I'm a confident enough driver now that I think it's time for something a bit newer and nicer! I'm going car shopping in early 2020 to see what kind of thing I might like/could afford and then it's going to be time to save like crazy!

4. Go to at least 3 blogger events/meet ups
There have been so many blogger events that I've wanted to go to this year but have missed out on because of work or other commitments. Next year though, I want to make it to a few, and I think 3 is a pretty realistic target considering that events are often in London and I work full-time which can sometimes make it difficult to travel down.

5. One date night/day per month
Dan & I went to Leeds in December to do some Christmas shopping. It was when we were sitting having some lunch that I realised how we hadn't done anything like this, just the two of us, for months and months. Between how busy I am, his shift work and doing all of the overtime that god sends, time together is pretty rare and when we do have the occasional day off together, it's often visiting friends and family or running errands, not actual quality time together. So, that's something I want to change in 2020, making sure we actually make time for each other. And I don't mean fancy or expensive days out, even if it's just going bowling or a drive out to the coast.

6. Five brand collaborations
I really want to up my blogging game next year and take it to a whole new level. There's a plan in place for how I'm going to do that, but I'm aiming for five collaborations as a realistic target, big brands or small. But it'll be brands that I love, and that I think you will love reading about. If it ends up being three over the course of the year, but three that I'm proud to be associated with, and the content is killer, I'm totally cool with that.

7. Go through the 'Grow & Glow' course
I joined the Grow & Glow network a couple of months ago, and I've found it's been so helpful in grounding my thoughts where my blog and social media are concerned, and so far I'm only on the first bundle! Next year I want to really crack on with it as I've only done bits and pieces on it when I get five minutes, but I want to make it a real focus so I can get closer to my other blogging-related goals!

8. Take Eloise & George on loads of fun days out
I've spoken about my best friend's little girl Eloise on my blog and social media a fair few times. Over the last couple of years I've been taking her out for the day for Christmas & her birthday instead of going crazy on buying 'stuff' for her, as she gets so many toys anyway, her parents always appreciate a child-free day and (the best part), we love making memories together! Now she's got a baby brother, it's a tradition I definitely want to make more out of with both of them, and now I get twice the opportunity to be a big kid!

9. Get myself to my 'happy body'
In 2019, I had a span of about six months where I was in a really good place with my body. This was down to good habits more than anything. I was working out three or four times a week, eating home-cooked, balanced meals, drinking two litres of water a day, all while allowing myself to indulge a little at the weekend. Yes I lost weight, but there were so many other benefits. I slept better, I didn't feel bloated all of the time, my anxiety levels went down. So rather than a New Years Resolution of 'I want to lose x amount of weight', I want to get myself back to my 'happy body', not defined by what my scales say or the dress size I am wearing, but by how I'm feeling.

10. Read 25 books
I got back into reading in 2019, and I read about 19 books over the course of the year. In 2020 I want to do better and read 25, so if anyone has recommendations, send them my way!

11. Get in control of my money and start saving
Pretty self-explanatory, but I have spent a long time living paycheque to paycheque. Not because I'm on a bad wage particularly, but because I'm not all that savvy with money. I have some big plans for the next 5 years, which are going to require some savings. So I need to cut back on the Starbucks and impulse buys, get in control, open a savings account and work bloody hard to make my plans happen.

12. Meet local bloggers
I often whinge that there aren't any bloggers near me in little old Lincoln. But in recent months, I've realised that there are a few of us around, I just need to look for them! So in 2020, I want to push myself to reach out to bloggers near me, get to know them and try to make some new friends!

13. Get environmentally-friendly
You may have seen me talk about this about in my last post about being a better person in 2020, but I've come to the realisation that I really haven't been doing enough to help the planet. I'll be starting with small changes, like getting a bamboo toothbrush, reusable cotton wool pads and trying to leave the car at home more. But it's all about small steps, right?

What would you like to achieve next year?

Love,
Sian xo