2014

Hey hi hello!

Happy new year!!!

I'm not usually one to set a lit of resolutions for myself as I have absolutely zero willpower and can hardly commit to anything (I mean....just look at the last time I posted anything on here!) However, I feel since I am an adult now, maybe setting a few resolutions and goals for myself this year might not be such a bad idea. In an effort to keep things simple, I've decided to set five challenges to work on in 2014.

Saving - Back at the end of September, I began my first full time job, which was quite a scary, but rewarding, step in my life. Due to the kindness and love of my parents, I still live at home, so I don't have to worry about most "real life" expenses (ie rent, bills, car payment, you get the idea). I know how lucky I am and decided that, in addition to paying off some school tuition and saving some of the money, I was going to go a bit crazy with my first few months of paychecks. I was reckless and selfish, but I knew that I could allow myself to be as long as I set myself a time limit. However! All of that is ending now. With the new year comes a new sense of responsibility with my money (which was the plan all along), and I have a few key savings plans to focus on:

1) An all-around saving account: Obviously, saving up money so that I can one day move out and start my own, independent life is my number on priority. Now a big chunk of my monthly earnings will be going towards my "Don't Touch This Money Or Else You Will Never Get To Move Out" piggy bank :)

2) Paying off school loans: Even though I haven't graduated (and won't be for the foreseeable future), I will have to begin paying back loans. I'm not even sure how much per month I will be paying, but it is something that has to be done, so I won't be complaining about it one bit.

3) A big, fancy present for me: Last Christmas my uncle very kindly gifted my family with a Nikon D3100, and I have loved learning about it over the last 12 months. I've decided that I want a DLSR that's all my own, and realize that it will be a quite expensive investment. I've worked out the numbers in my brain box (okay, okay...with the help of a calculator...) and figured out that I can be the proud owner of a Nikon D5300 by September! I make about $40 a week babysitting for a family here in town, and I've decided to set the $160 that I make each month aside and save it up until I have enough to buy the camera.

Organization - I'm not on to keep on top of keeping my room clean and organized (it looks absolutely terrifying right now), and that is something that needs to change this year. In addition to keeping up with the laundry each week, I want to sort through the clothes, books, and random other things around my room to see what can be gotten rid of. Another aspect of organization I'd like to tackle is blogging. I think of new post ideas everyday, but never take the time to type them. I'd like that to turn that around this year.

Driving - Okay, my deep, dark secret had to come out sooner or later, so here it is: I don't have a drivers license. I know, I know, it's crazy. You can stop giving me that look now. I am 21 years old and can't drive. Insane. Maybe one day I'll explain, but for now all you need to know is that I hope this changes in 2014.

Living - That may sound like a silly resolution, but between work, my laziness, and a slight touch of social anxiety, I don't get out much. (Although my not being able to drive also has something to do with it.) I just happen to be a naturally homey person and usually "going out" is the last thing I ever want to do with my time. However, I know that I can't say no to my friends all the time, so this year I am going to start saying yes to more invitations to hang out, go to movies, and be all around more sociable. 

Love - Not romantic, find a life partner, fall in love love (although, I'm not going to lie, that would be nice haha), but love for myself. The past couple years have been hard on my self confidence and self worth, and it's time to change that. I need to work on overcoming the challenges I've experienced since the beginning of 2012, and gaining a more positive outlook on my life and start loving who I've grown to become. 

So, those are my 2014 goals and resolutions!! I'm excited to look back in a year to see how many of them I stuck with :) What did you resolve to change this year?

Have a happy week!