Recently I've been spending a lot of my time at home job searching, but the current situation has pressed the pause button the job search. I have also found myself stopping a lot of the things I could keep up, seeing lockdown as an excuse to stay in my PJs all day and play sims - now as fun as that is, I'm writing this two days into lockdown because I'm feeling a lack of achievement and very unfulfilled. So I've decided to change my perspective. To see this time at home as a gift. To challenge myself to see what I can do with this time, so naturally, I've set myself some goals.

Finish writing my book: 

A few years ago, I began writing a book - it sat at just the first chapter for about a year, finally, I got around to finishing the first rough draft, and then the fear crept in. Once again it went untouched for months. During this time I'm going to edit those chapters, finish a draft which I'm happy to send to publishers. My book won't finish writing itself, and I can achieve my dream of being a published author without that part.

Exercise every day:

I go through phases with exercise. I either pretend it's not a thing or become obsessed with it. I did yoga every day in January (blog post on that here). Since I've done the odd bit of yoga and running but it's not been such a priority. In this time I want to improve my fitness, I want to take advantage of the option to exercise outside and run in the fresh air (which I've done most days so far), on the days I'm not running, I'll be doing yoga because I find the meditativeness of yoga is good for my mind,  and I could do with improving my flexibility and balance. Alongside this I'm completing weekly online sessions with my old personal trainer, @laurenalicefitness on Instagram who is being kind enough to do free sessions on Instagram live during this time - I would recommend following if you want some more challenging strength workouts.

Actually, try to grow my Instagram and Youtube platforms: 

I'm bad at Youtube and Instagram. Maybe bad is the wrong word - I'm not very good at trying to grow them. If I tried a little harder, I could have a larger following, instead I just kind of let them exist as they are, with a very slow organic growth. Sometimes I forget to posts on Instagram, and I'm rubbish at engaging with others. However when I'm putting my time and effort into creating the content, I should want it to be seen, and it should be seen - so I'm going to spend more time engaging online, posting more regularly to Instagram and being consistent with Youtube. To encourage me to actually put the effort in, I've set specific goals which I can track, so by the end of this lockdown, I'd like 200 subscribers on Youtube and 1000 followers on Instagram (if you can help a gal out, that would be fab).

Find new ways to connect with friends:

We are so used to be able to meet up with friends, putting effort keeping friendships alive in this time is more important than ever. I want to check in with friends more often. I've been rediscovering my love for a phone call, I'm trying to take advantage of facetime and at some point, I plan on giving a Netflix party a go.

Get ahead with my blog posts:

Most of the time, despite having blogged weekly for years and despite usually priding myself for my organisation skill, I still find myself writing my blog posts a few days before they go live. I'm bad at remembering to proofread them because I'm so relieved to finish them in time to fit my schedule, typos and all. But with all this extra time at home, I'm going to try to spend some time each day working on blog posts in an attempt to organise myself to get a month or two ahead. I'm going to have to get pretty good at shooting photos around my house, but I'm excited to see all of my posts scheduled and ready to go ahead of time for once.

Improve my blog DA:

If you're a blogger, you'll know that when it comes to working with brands, your domain authority can either be a help or a hindrance. Sadly, mine is the latter. My blog DA is much lower than I believe it should be because I spent years blogging with little to no understanding of SEO. As I'd like to work with more brands and for more people to see my blog, I'm going to spend this time editing old posts trying to get that DA number up. Fixing broken links is my first step.

Read more:

Reading is something I always want to do more of, now I actually have the time. I will also be recording what I'm reading more, writing book reviews on here and Instagram. If you want to read along with me, you can join #chloeharrietsbookclub, head over to this blog post to find out what my book picks for the next few months are. Next week I have a book review blog post catching you up with my thoughts on all of my book club books from the year so far. I'm trying to get as much reading done as possible so between the book club books I'll picking overs from my shelf to make my way through, I'm currently reading (and loving) My Life in 37 Therapies by Kay Hutchison which was kindly gifted to me (and I will also be reviewing it soon)


Have you set any goals for this time?

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Treat myself with kindness:

I don't mean letting myself off the hook when I have a to-do list as long as my arm but fancy being lazy, or taking lengthy baths over doing work for 'self-care', I mean, eating my veggies, working out, taking vitamins, listening to my body, writing every day even when I don't feel like it. An idea which I came across in Laura Jane Williams' book 'The Life Diet' is to ask yourself what the version of yourself who loves you most would do. Regularly I'm going to check in with myself and consider what the Chloe who loves herself the most would do. When I'm tempted to cancel a driving lesson, lay in bed all day or skip my work out, asking this question will help me prioritise doing what is actually good for me. In other words, it is, treating myself with kindness - the type of kindness which will positively impact me in the present and future, not just for a couple of moments.

January Goal: Complete this 30-day yoga challenge which I know will be good for both my body and mind.

Take time to reflect, slow down, be more Zen.

Write in my diary more, scrapbook, meditate daily again, begin gratitude journaling again, get back into the habit of writing my line a day journal each evening, go for walks just to get outside, stop rushing around so much.

January Goal: Complete my line-a-day journal daily.

Get my finances in order:

Cancel any unnecessary subscriptions, set up regular a savings account that I can't access whenever I fancy splurging on ASOS, actually use my Monzo account, track my spending, get myself a lifetime ISA. set a budget for each month. (If you've got a similar goal, there's an excellent section on The Anna Edit's, An Edited Life book which will make the whole budgeting thing a lot less scary) Basically, be a grown-up when it comes to my bank account.

January Goal: Figure out where I am at with my finances, get into the habit of checking my bank account daily and cancel any unnecessary subscriptions

Blog, write, youtube: 

Take those things I want to do seriously again. I want to start treating my blog like a business rather than a hobby and start putting in the time and effort into creating the career I want. I'm going to start concentrating on the less glamorous side of things, SEO, promoting posts etc, alongside the creative aspect to ensure my blog starts getting some traction.

January goal: Get back into the swing of things. Stick to my posting schedule and continue making changes to improve my blog. Finally, get my new branding sorted. Edit a chapter of the book I've been writing.

 

Learn to cook:

Get into a good routine:

Towards the end of 2019, I found myself with insomnia, awake most of the night tossing and turning and therefore struggling to get out of bed at a decent time. Working from home meant too many days spent completely indoors, and my PJ's worn more than anything else. This year, I want to get a solid routine down. Get up earlier, sleep better, exercise regularly, make sure I'm getting fresh air, and actually getting dressed each day.

January goal: Get back into a good sleeping pattern.

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Dress: H&M
Sofa: M&S
Cushions: unsure, similar linked here and here

Creating my 2020 Vision Board: Youtube Video:

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Pass my driving test and get a car: 

I have been so close to this one for such a long time, and a few failed tests down, it's certainly taking longer than I anticipated, but I'm taking steps in the right direction, I've realised driving (especially the test) really triggers anxiety for me, so I've been having hypnotherapy to help manage that (If that's something you'd like to hear more about I'll be posting a Youtube video on it soon!) and I've got my test booked, so I'm almost there.

Get articles published in magazines:

I'm still working on this one. I took a little break from pitching, but now I'm back onto sending pitches regularly, so hopefully, hard work will pay off.

Finish my book and begin my search for a publisher:

The first draft is finished. It's still very rough though, so it needs a hefty bit of editing before I start sending it to publishers

Save £5000:

Saving has not really been happening so far this year, however, I have set up several pots on my Monzo account recently, and that made saving much more manageable, although I'm only at nowhere near where I wanted to be at with saving this year, I'm starting to see it build up.

Read 30 books:

I'm currently on book 11, so I'm a tad behind with this, but I have set up #chloeharrietsbookclub to encourage me to read more, and I'm got a holiday coming up, which always turns out to be great reading time.

Reach 1000 subscribers on youtube:

 My Youtube channel hasn't grown as much as I would like so far this year. I took some time away from Youtube to figure out what kind of content I want to be creating, and what I enjoy making/watching, and I've recently got back into it, and I'm feeling excited to watch my little channel grow. I've got a long way to go, but I think I can achieve this goal - if you want to help me out or are interested to see my channel, you can find it here.

Work with brands on blog content:

This goal is one I can cross off. This year, I finally began to dip my toes into working with brands, you can see some partnership posts here and here. Working with brands is definitely something I want to continue doing throughout the rest of the year.
Start taking Instagram more seriously:
 Although my Instagram has not grown as much as would have liked so far this year, it's grown slightly and it's a platform I've really been enjoying, so I think that's really what matters. You can find my Instagram here

Stick to a weekly work out routine:

I haven't been constant with this, after all, I'm only human, however, at the moment I feel in a really good place with exercise. I've been going running several times a week. I'm coming to the end of 'Couch to 5k' at the moment, and I've seen huge improvements in my fitness levels.

Get up earlier, get into a good morning routine:

Again I'm only human, so it's not always constant, but I'm in a pretty good place with this the majority of the time, I feel recently I've really mastered the perfect morning routine for me, I will be posting a Youtube video on this pretty soon so keep your eyes peeled for that. 

Create more art. Paint, draw, doodle more:

  I'm definitely heading in the right direction with this one. I've begun painting regularly, kept up a doodle full bullet journal (more on that here) and last week I finally went to life drawing classes, after putting it on new years goals lists a few years ago (post here)

Document my life more. Take photos for me,  scrapbook, write in my diary more, vlog more:

I've been scrapbooking and journalling a lot more this year but definitely could be taking more photos, and vlogging on a more regular basis.

Start dating:

I'm not going to say too much about this one because it's slightly more personal than the others. I'm currently in a place where I don't really want to date, but so far this year I have been a little more open to romantic connections.



Did you set any goals for the year? How are you getting on with them? 

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I've been seeing lots of Summer Bucket list floating around so I'd put my own one out there. It's easy to forget to live, it sounds silly to say, but we can become stuck in routine without the awareness that life is happening right now, and the things we plan on doing become hopes rather than actions. They can build as a list of 'one day's' in our heads. Lately, I've been trying to adjust my focus, put effort into living in the now, and transforming thoughts into actions. I thought a way to do see this, would be to share my Summer Bucket list on here, so I've got a reminder of all the things I want to do this season and a way to hold myself accountable for making my life what I want it to be. I've definitely been over-ambitious writing this list, but anything I don't get around to, I'd like to keep in mind for next year. This is also going to be the one blog post which I go back into edit, I'm going to cross things off when I've achieved them so it's clear where I'm at.


- Go on Holiday
- Visit 3 different cities
- Go pottery painting
- Keep a journal
- Go to life drawing classes
- Star Gaze
- Have a picnic
- Complete a 5k run (for charity)
- Do a random act of kindness
- Read 5 new books
- Watch a sunrise
- Watch a sunset
- Get a tattoo
- Swim in the sea
- Go to a drive-in/outdoor cinema
- Paint a picture
- Go to an art gallery/museum
- Send postcards
- Go to the theatre
- Do Yoga Outdoors
- Go to a basketball game
- Go berry picking
- Finally, pass my driving test
- Throw a party/host a dinner party
- Go on a staycation
- Buy myself flowers
- Scrapbook my memories





Wish me luck making it through my list! I'd love to know what's on your Summer Bucket List.

C x


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As February draws to a close, I'm beginning to realise the goals I so enthusiastically wrote out in my bullet journal 28 days ago, we're not achieved, not one of them. I could reel off a million excuses, but that won't achieve those goals so I won't bother.

The goals I set were unrealistic, I set myself up for too much of a challenge, so instead of working towards them, I ignored them, and therefore achieved even less than I would have without the goals in place. It was counterproductive, to say the least.

So as March hits I'm trying to set more achievable goals, the kind that I can clearly tick off, and depend only on my own action - no more I'll reach... Instagram followers etc, because that is not as in my control as I'd like it to be.

So here they are, realistic March goals

- Write a poem a day, post it to my poetry Instagram account (if you want the link, let me know)

- Paint/draw at least once a week. I'm trying to get back into creating art, once a week is manageable whilst ensure it becomes a regular habit, plus there's nothing stopping me doing it more often.

- Meditate daily.

- Read 4+ new articles a week

- Read daily

- Send minimum 1 pitch a week. Hopefully more.

- Reach 60,000 words on the book I'm writing (as I write this, I have 11,398 words to go)

- Be active on social media, use it to network and share, send time each day posting on Instagram, replying to tweets and commenting on the Youtube videos I enjoy.

- Stay positive. okay so this one is not so trackable, but it's important.




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As one year draws to a close, and we prepare for a new year, it becomes very clear people fall into two categories. There are the people who get excited for a new year, claiming this will be their year, and set endless ambitious goals. And then, of course, there are the people who take the piss out of their positive enthusiasm.

I fall into the first category. Something about the New Year fills me with hope, often I make myself cringe at how keen I am for a new year, and knowing set goals which often seem unrealistic because it's always better to try.

So without further ado - here is my list of goal which I'm hoping my make progress with this year:

- Pass my driving test and get a car. Finally. It's taking me a while I know, but I'm so close to achieving this one now,
- Get articles published in magazines. I've been pitching a while and I'm yet to have any luck, but that's only made me want to work harder
- Finish my book and begin my search for a publisher. I'm 45,000 words in at the moment, so the first draft finish line is nearing, it's just case of editing this draft until it's good, and finding somebody else that believes in it.
- Save £5000.
- Read 30 books.
- Reach 1000 subscribers on youtube. You can find my channel here if you want to help a girl out.
- Work with brands on blog content.
- Start taking Instagram more seriously. Build up my follow count, post regularly, document life on my stories, work with photographers etc etc
- Stick to a weekly work out routine. Go for a run/work out 3 times a week.
- Get up earlier, get into a good morning routine.
- Create more art. Paint, draw, doodle more.
- Document my life more. Take photos for me,  scrapbook, write in my diary more, vlog more.
- Start dating. I've been extremely single for years, not wanting to meet anyone, but 2019 will be the year I will brave putting myself out there (more about why it will be in an upcoming blog post, so keep your eyes peeled).


I'm excited to start working on these goals, and to see all the wonderful things 2019 will bring! I'd love to know what goals you've set yourself for this year!



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Recently, I've found my self a little underwhelmed by my life, a little gutted that it isn't fuller. I've realised the life I'm living, is far from what I want. I've been wracking my brain endlessly, hoping for a solution to come to mind, something I can change to make everything fall into place because where I am right now, does not feel on the money.

I've considered how to put things right, what I can change. I left the job I was unhappy in. I did a whole lot of unfollowing on social media, I spent a full day 'hinching' my bedroom. Now, I'm unemployed, my social media feeds are quieter and my room is clean, and my life is still unfulfilled.


Then something hit me, the thing I need to work on changing is not my surroundings, it's me. The life I lead now is the life which I attracted. It's sort of a shit show, and that's all down to down to me.

I've been struggling lately. I've felt very alone and lost. I've been playing the victim, but now is the time I stop. It's the time I recognise a lot of this struggle is caused by the consequences of my own actions. My actions are something I can change and it's time for a change.

Of course, everything about this concept is daunting. Old habits die hard, you don't wake up one day and become a new person, it's a process.

So here are some things I'm going to work on changing:

1) Say yes, even when I'd rather spend my evening in the pjs reading my book  - I'm going to try to be more open to meeting new people, going to different places and just getting out more. I automatically sale my life short by choosing to stay in my bedroom when there is a whole world out there.

2) Run with ideas rather than putting them to the back of my mind - I tend to have loads of ideas buzzing around my head, and the majority of them get ignored, I guess mainly down to fear of trying. I'm going to try to ignore the fear, rather than the ideas and see how that works out for me.

3) Read more self-help and actually put the advice into practice - I'm a little obsessed with those slightly cringy self-help books. I tend to read them, but not actually do that much with the knowledge in them. I feel inspired for a day afterwards, and then I go back to living the same old life, rather than make the changes.

4) Practise what I preach: Meditate daily, write daily, read daily, keep a gratitude journal.

5) Fake it until I make it: Do the work I'd be doing if I already had the life I wanted.

6) Set realistic goals: Sometimes I think my goals can be over-ambitious, which then makes them scary, and leaves me doing nothing. I need to start concentrating on the next 5 minutes of my life instead of the next few years.

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As we are halfway through 2018 (how?!) I thought I'd look through my New Years Goals and see how/if they're coming along. I think we can all agree this year is flying by, so it time to regain some focus on my goals before we're counting down to 2019. 

Let's talk about where I am with those goals I blogged about 6 months ago...

1) Write the book

2) Save and make more money than last year

3) Be the planner, organise things

4) Take better care of my body 

5) Visit more places

6) Take steps towards buying a house

7) Gain some success and direction in my career

This is always a funny one. I feel I am taking steps they are just small ones. I've interviewed for jobs which I didn't get. But still, I turned up. Although I'm not earning from the blog, I'm beginning to feel less invisible in the blogging world, a step which needed to come first. I've noticed the comments on my blog become more thoughtful. I've gained a few follows from people I think are really valuable to the industry (I mean, hello Lucy Sheridan on Instagram and Emma Gannon on Twitter!). 

New Day Knitwear has been changed to something more personal for the founder Stacie Clark Knit, I had some coaching with Laura Jane Williams, decided to start sharing my poetry, and now Stacie has begun Crocheting my words, to be displayed in an exhibition! (more about that here)

My blog was mentioned on a Jessica Jade Beauty blog post. So all in all, I'm feeling a little more visible and that's seems the start of something big. I'm also planning on spending my day applying for the most perfect job, so I'm crossing my fingers and all of my other limbs. 

With my career is feels like I've moved nowhere and everywhere at the same time. Although currently working the same job I've always worked, things are falling into place, and more than ever I believe myself when I say it's not my forever job, and the career I've been in search of for all these years in heading my way. 

8) Take Youtube more seriously

This is a funny one if anything I've done the opposite because honestly, Youtube hasn't felt like a priority. I'm at a stage where I'd rather my time went into my writing. Although I still love creating videos, and will still do it whenever I feel I have something to share with my audience, I want my focus to be on building this blog, improving my writing and finishing my book. I am however trying to make the videos I am creating the best possible quality and I think this is something which is showing. 

9) Don't accept less than wonderful

Without a doubt, I've got better at this. I don't settle so much. I put my energy into making the things I already have wonderful and I don't let people walk all over me like I used to. Having said that, I'm still not perfect at this occasion I pick heart over head and make time for someone who is flaky, I'm learning when to draw the line through which is the important part. 2018 so far, I've felt pretty contented which I think is both because of this goal and making this goal more sustainable. When I'm happy, the wonderful things come my way, and therefore I don't have the time for the things which aren't. I have the self-respect now, to drop the people who are crap to me, without making exceptions. 

Jumper: Next (similar linked)

As tradition on chloeharriets.com - here are my goals for 2018. Let's hope work to make them happen.

1) Write the book - I have an abandoned first draft of the first chapter of a novel on my laptop, during 2018 I'm going to dedicate time to finish writing my first book. 2018 will be the year I stop talking about writing and actually writing.

2) Save and make more money than last year - Money is often a taboo subject, however, I don't believe anything negative comes from making money, in fact, everyone wants to do it. Money gives you the freedom and there is nothing wrong with wanting to earn it. During 2018 I'd like to make more money, if I can pull my career in the direction I'd like it to go, then this is very possible. I'd also like to save more money. You never know when you might need it for a rainy day.

3) Be the planner, organise things - I'm not a planner. I'd say 90% of the time I have plans with friends, is because somebody else has picked up the phone and made the arrangement. It's not intentional, I think because I enjoy spending time at home and by myself, I forget how much I also enjoy doing things and seeing friends. I'll be the first to admit it makes me kind of a rubbish friend. I will be putting a lot more effort into organising things to do with friends and family in 2018.

4) Take better care of my body - Whether than means moisturising my beyond my face regularly, exercising more often or saying no to that last drink, or eating too many biscuits. I want to stop abusing my body and taking it for granted. I want to look after myself. Eat well, exercises,  paint my nails, maybe even shave my legs. If I took better care of myself, I'd like to think my world would improve and I'd feel like a new person, so let see.

5)  Visit more places - I'm not a big traveller, and although I'd don't plan on seeing the entire world in 2018 I'd like to see more of it. Whether that means weekends away in the UK or spending a week exploring a country I've never visited - I'd like to spend more time outside of Bristol, there's a lot to see out there after all.

6) Take steps toward buying a house - I'm 26 so having space beyond my single bedroom in my Mum house would be incredible. I love the idea of being able to play with interiors and really make things my own. During 2018 I want to have at least taken some steps towards getting my own place. From saving money to meeting with mortgage advisors, it would be great to end the year knowing that owning a home in is the near future.

7) Gain some direction and success in my career - Since having left Uni, I have been at a complete loss careerwise. I've known the kind of things I want to do, but haven't got a job in the right area and I haven't made money from the things I'd like to one day call my career. 2018 will be the year I gain a little direction. Get a new job in an area which will benefit me. Work with brands on the blog. Continue working with New Day Knitwear because that makes me feel good. Put 100% into the work that I do, and make sure the work that I do gives me purpose. By the end of the year, it would be amazing to have the start of a career which will make me proud.

8) Take YouTube more seriously - Promote my channel (you can subscribe here), stop feeling embarrassed by it. Work to build an audience. Keep up a regular schedule. Play with my creativity and explore new ideas. Do Vlogmas in some form (yes that's right. Vlogmas will be happening.)

9) Don't accept less than wonderful - Stop letting people treat me like crap because I fancy the pants off them, or because I just want them to like me. Be friends with lovely people. Call people out when they put me down. Stop trying to impress everyone. Don't do tear-inducing jobs for minimum wage. Know my worth. Mediocre won't do. I want a wonderful life.


Please let me know some of your New Years goals in the comments! I'm obsessed with New Years, and it would be great to hear what you'd like from 2018.

Let's make 2018 lovely!
Happy New Year, it's going to be a good one.

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