Red Gown (Faviana) | Black Velvet Dress (Jing Limited) | Shoot Location: Walker Hotel
2018 is upon us, which means it’s a new year to start fresh! As I get older, I am always amazed at how quickly time flies and I must admit, sometimes it scares me. I did a lot of self reflection in the past month and I am ready to conquer 2018 with new goals! I have nothing against making new year’s resolutions, but for some reason, I think it’s an easy way to set yourself up for failure since most resolutions are vague and often people forget about them by mid January.
I am holding myself accountable by making 5 goals every month because I think it’s a better way to be realistic and since I’m writing them down, it’s an easier way to make these my priority for January. I think it’s great to have long term goals, but I want to make sure I can achieve these smaller ones first, so I’m not underestimating the necessary steps to reach where I want to be at the end of the year. With much thought, I have come up with these five goals to jumpstart the year:
- Start writing again: For those who don’t know, I have a love for writing, specifically poems and spoken word. I am challenging myself this month to write at least 3x a week. I want to get back into the habit of jotting down my feelings and finding my love for poetry again.
- Add running to my cardio:Â I work out daily, but I hate running. It’s strange for me to add this as one of my goals since I’ve always believed that when it comes to fitness, you should find exercises that you find enjoyable. However, I feel like I need to get out of my comfort zone because running does push my body’s limits. I have added running in the past and felt amazing, but once I stopped, I have this weird fear of incorporating it again. I am happy to announce that I have already started to achieve this goal since I ran this morning and will continue to slowly increase my pace.
- Start vlogging:Â I am a huge Youtube viewer and always wanted to have my own channel. Fun fact, my best friend and I did create a channel two years ago and we frequently uploaded videos, but we stopped when we wanted to take a rebranding break. It was also during the time that my Instagram started to grow, so I put more of my attention on that platform. However, I’ve always had the desire to vlog and create videos online, but always felt like I wasn’t ready. But there’s no more excuses! This month, I WILL invest in a vlogging camera and WILLÂ upload my first video of the year.
- Birthday Editorial Shoot:Â January is my favorite month because it’s Aquarius season, which means it’s my birthday! I want to do a birthday editorial shoot and since my birthday is at the end of the month, I believe this goal is realistic and I will also make it a priority since birthday only happens once a year! It’s also a way for me to create content and of course I will be sharing the photos on my social media platforms, so stay tuned for that!
- Experiment with baking/ new recipes:Â I love baking and have been recently obsessed with finding healthy snack recipes. I want to be able to make time in the kitchen to do what I love. Baking gives me a sense of calmness and it’s somewhat therapeutic in the way the gym is for me. This afternoon, I am actually going to attempt to make some protein barks and energy balls!
After writing these goals, I am excited to conquer them for this month. I don’t feel overwhelm as I normally do and I think this is a great way to simplify your goals for the year. Let me know what your main goal is for this month and let’s all make 2018 our best year yet!
47 comments
Happy New Year! Can’t wait to see your video! I love baking too. Wish you all dreams come true!
xo, Joling
lovejoling.com
Thank you Joling! Now that it’s posted publicity, I have to make these goals happen!
Loving your resolutions and that red dress is everything babe.
Check out my new year resolutions:
http://alleygirl.com/5-new-year-resolution-college-students-2018/
Dear Mariann,
I’m so glad you wrote this post. You seem to have a healthy approach to resolutions, unlike me as I don’t make them at all, but instead you speak of goals. I would love to read something you’ve written as I believe it’s something close to my heart as well. You doing self reflection is good and we both should do more of that, but what I didn’t know that were both Aquarieases. I’m born in ‘February, but it still explains a lot.
Lots of love babe and Happy New Year!
Thomas xx
Thomas, this is why you and I are meant to be friends!! I knew we had a connection even though we’ve never met haha. I am excited for all the great things that lie ahead for the bot of us 🙂
Baking is so fun!
Beauty & Colour | Vegan Lifestyle Blog
I love it! The process is fun and the outcome is delicious!
You look gorgeous! I love these dresses on you! Happy new year!
http://violettedaily.com
Thank you Violette!
Happy New Year Marian! Wishing you all the best in 2018 and beyond! Your friends at Walker Hotel Greenwich Village
Thank you Mac!! I had an amazing time shooting at the hotel and thank you for allowing me to do so!
Those dresses are so stunning! Happy New Year, I agree that specific goals are better than vague resolutions. Good luck with yours!
Thank you! Hope you’re having a great start to the new year as well!
That red dress is stunning you babe!! So happy to hear you’re ready to conquer your 2018 goals! <3
XO, Jessi
https://jmalay.com/best-moments-2017/
I can always rely on red because it’s a color that I think goes well with my skintone! I didn’t wear this dress anywhere but I did feel fabulous shooting in it!
My best wishes for 2018 and I hope it will bring everything you expect and even more 😉
Your first outfits are beautiful and so elegant!
https://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2018/01/01/happy-new-heels/
Thank you!
Happy New Year Marian!! I seriously love both of these formal dresses, they both look stunning on you! I enjoyed going through your list of resolutions. You know, I still hate running but I recently added it to my workout but it’s actually quite addicting once you get used to it and add more distance each time. Good luck! And please do vlogs! haha. wishing you a fantastic year!
xo Samantha
Thank you Samantha! I can’t wait to share the vlogs. I am holding myself accountable for releasing one by end of month!
Love these dresses! So stylish
Happy New Year 🙂
Olivia Poncelet <3
http://www.oliviaponcelet.com
Thanks love! I love an excuse to dress up 🙂
Looking so fab in these looks- amaaaazing in red! Happy New Year!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Red is my favorite color!
Happy New Year! Your outfits are absolutely gorgeous, and I’m loving the idea of setting monthly goals! Thanks for sharing!
http://roadesque.com
Thank you Valerie! I would love to hear about your monthly goals!
Loving your resolutions for the year! You should totally take up vlogging! I’m sure you will be great at it!
-Didier
http://www.didieryhc.com
Yes I am currently shopping for cameras 🙂
Absolutely love your red dress – you look stunning. I hope you wore this NYE. I started vlogging this year and love it.
Xxgracie
snappedbygracie.com
That’s exciting! Can’t wait to start it now!
I love these pictures! I hope you have a wonderful new year.
https://sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/
Thank you Courtney! Hope you have a wonderful new year as well 🙂
Gonna work on video content too, I say that every year, but I need to actually post the video’s I make. Let us know your Youtube channel link! And these dresses are both stunning! You look amazing!
xx Jenelle
http://www.inspiringwit.com
I can relate with always saying you’re going to do something and never doing it so I am giving myself the deadline of getting my camera by next week!
That red dress was made for you babe! It’s so elongating and perfect for the new year. Happy 2018 darling! xo, sharon
http://www.stylelullaby.com/fashion/nothing-but-good-times/
It’s one of my favorite dress and this is by far one of my best shoot!
I love both dresses, especially that black one!! you look absolutely stunning xx
http://www.elegantduchess.com/2018/01/08/modern-romantics-lace-panel-dress-velvet-over-the-knee-boots/
Thank you so much!
I want to bake more too! These are nice goals.
http://myclusterofthoughts.com/
Baking is so much fun 🙂
OMG you look absolutely gorgeous babe and love both dresses on you!! LOVE the list of things you want to do this coming year and you are capricorn as my sister? Her bday is also in January!
xoxo
Marcy
Thank you! And actually I’m an Aquarius! My birthday is on the 27th 🙂
Absolutely love the red dress – it’s stunning! And your resolutions are fab – I’m also trying to get back into running more often. Good luck with all of your writing!
Heather xoxo
https://www.hefafa.me.uk
Thank you Heather! It’s been going well 🙂
Happy new year, Mariann! I wish you all the best for 2018. I’m sure you will go on to create amazing content here and for your vlog!
xo, Jo
Thank you Jo! I started vlogging last week and I must say it was challenging, but definitely a fun and great learning experience.
Happy New Year! I absoultely loves the red dress on you. Wishing you all the best. From what I’ve seen you’ll do an amazing job in 2018!
Thank you Aliya!