If you're reading this, it's too late (sorry, I couldn't resist finishing the sentence like that even though it's 400% irrelevant). Ok, but seriously, if you're reading this, you've either been redirected from my Modern Love post, or you just found this because of the very enticing title — and by enticing, I mean the run-on sentence of a title because succintness has never really been my thing. 

The goals are in the first 1:30, so you can stop after that, unless you want to watch my year of ratchetness. Be my guest, but just make sure to come back here!

So, did I get everything done? Let's break it down – but quickly, because we all have shit to do (or do we). 

https://soundcloud.com/kimtinachris/sets/december-2k17

1. Write at least 1 blog post every two weeks on my personal blog – ACHIEVED KIND OF

I wanted to push myself to be consistent; when people try to do the whole freelance creative thing, most don't understand that it's more difficult than you can possibly imagine,

if you want to be successful, that is.

In contrast to a regular work environment with time-sensitive projects, managers and bosses, and structure, freelance work is 200% dependent on how much you want to succeed — you need to come up with ideas, you need to create timelines, you need to reach out to people and submit content. I managed my time and was able to churn out content bi-weekly for a bit, but then life kind of took a toll on me (per usual), and for a moment, I felt a bit discouraged and disappointed in myself. 

I'm a firm believer that you are the only person who can get yourself out of the slump you put yourself in, and I decided to reallocate my consistent creative energy into a different outlet: vlogging. I've always loved editing videos and filming memories, and YouTube was a growing market of personalities and creators. I gave myself a regular schedule of posting once a week to recap my life each week, and I just released my 20th one!

HERE'S DA PLUG –> SUBSCRIBE~

2. Get a pay raise or start a new job – ACHIEVED/ACHIEVED

Over the years, there have been a plethora of quotes that have stuck with me. Sure, I might not be able to remember what shirt you were wearing last week, but a string of words I read on a plain text graphic on Tumblr in 2011? I can remember it down to the pixel. 

"We accept the love we think we deserve." – Perks of Being a Wallflower

"Respect yourself enough to know that you deserve the very best."

These two pair together as well as soy sauce on sushi (ok but also note that you're only supposed to dip the fish side into the soy sauce, and only just a little — it's almost 2018 pls stop drenching your shit in soy sauce, and I'm not saying this bc it's not the traditional way of eating sushi but moreso bc soy sauce is salty AF [even if it is low sodium] like y r u trying to #staysalty in 2018?!).

Though the first quote from Perks is explicit in its terms of "love", I like to think of it in a broader spectrum, because love isn't just a person/person relationship. Love relates to your self-love, to your confidance, to what you deserve, to how hard you work, to what you should expect vs. what you work hard for. With this type of breakdown and understanding, I wanted to make sure I doing the most to get what I deserved, starting with both my professional and freelance work. I've always been the type of person who likes to put 200% into whatever work they're doing, without necessarily getting the pay out, and I was tired of it.

I got a raise, and found a new job + raise this year; we can get into that discussion another time, but overall, I worked hard to make moves that forced me to respect myself and the people around me, and to create the most gain in all aspects. Leaving a company doesn't necessarily mean it was a bad experience; sometimes you just outgrow it, and that's perfectly fine.

3. Submit a piece of writing to the New York Times – FAILED

But you can read about that HERE.

4. Hang out with more people one on one (and make them play Pie Face) – ACHIEVED KIND OF

After working 9-6pm daily, I like to go to a cafe and work on my writing, go to the gym, and go to sleep — my life is not as glam and party-friendly as my social media makes it out to be, and I have no problem admitting that (no really, I tell everyone that so they don't make me drink hardcore with them lol). I'm an extroverted introvert — love being around people, but I love being alone more. With my weekly vlogs though, no one wants to see a girl at a cafe every day, and I used this as a means of hanging out with people who I haven't connected with in a while. We'd film a few moments of our hang out for proof and content, but I was able to take the time to reconnect with old faces. Interestingly enough, it strengthened a lot of old and new relationships…

but it also confirmed that some people have turned into weird AF individuals, and maybe our friendship that was so on point a few years ago peaked back then, and our friendship was meant to be temporary. Ironically, it was a sad yet enjoyable realization though, and I appreciated it for what it's worth. 

Oh, and the Pie Face never happened because I always forgot to bring it with me, dammit.

5. Help as many people as possible with things involving writing – ACHIEVED TO MY BEST ABILITY

A lot of people ask me why I offer free help; people charge big $$$ to help edit resumes or cover letters, or consult with them on aspects of Marketing, Social Media, Influencers, etc. I'm aware of this, but I truly believe that knowledge is something to be shared, and it's not easy spreading education. You have to want to learn, and you have to teach/tutor/edit with integrity; don't do the work for someone, but ask the guiding questions that will help them improve. As we get older, I notice that people are less genuine and altruistic, and everything has a fee. If you have a problem, you have to pay for a therapist to talk to so that they can provide thoughtful responses and act as a listening ear. Not comparing myself to a therapist for I am underqualifiedAF, but if I can help with your problem and give you a thoughtful response, I'll do it. 

It costs $0.00 to be a decent human, and I wanted to do my very best in helping others succeed with me. Over the year, I edited over 50 resumes and cover letters, 20+ personal statements, and gave a handful of young almost-post-grads some reassuring insight that life after college is bearable. It took a lot of time out of my personal hours after work and late at night, but it was felt right. 

What will my 2018 goals be?
Haven't thought that far yet,

have you?