‘Another goals-related blog post?’ I hear you ask? Why yes, we are creatures of habit over here and I’ve been writing my yearly goals blog posts for six whole years now.
It’s crazy to me how long I’ve been rambling on the internet for, and that people (like you) still choose to read it. For that, I am extremely thankful.
Something in the air tells me that 2023 is going to be a huge year and I want to document every single part of it. In that case, expect the blog to make a return, more YouTube videos (yes I’m on there now) and just more content in general from Orlagh Claire.
I can’t tell you what exactly is in store for 2023 as I don’t even know that myself, but there is something telling me that it’s going to be big and it’s going to be very exciting. So let’s ride the wave that will be 2023 together.
The year that was
But before we dive into the New Year, I want to write a reflective piece, looking back at the year that is quickly coming to an end: 2022.
2022 has been a year of change but also a year of consistency. I’ve switched jobs (again, I know) but have also stayed in the same city from January to December which is not something I have done since I moved out of my hometown when I was 18.
As a person, I feel older, more mature and different to the me of 2021. 2022 was definitely a year of growth in many different ways and we’ll get into that in a moment or two.
2022 without a doubt, was also the year of travel for me. Thanks to the world getting back to a sort of normalcy, I was very fortunate to travel to more places in 2022 than I have in my entire lifetime and for that, it will be a year to truly remember.
And so, before I sit down to pen my list of 2023 goals in January like I always do, I wanted to sit down and reflect on the list of goals that I made in January 2022 and what I’ve managed to achieve in the 12 months since then.
Related post: My 11 Goals for 2022
1. Read 100 books
This was probably my most challenging goal of 2022 that I set out for myself and after reading 78 books in 2020, 77 books in 2021, I set the bar high to hit that three figure number in 2022.
As it stands today on the 25th of December 2022, I am currently reading my 99th book of the year, with no doubt that I will read my final 100th book before December 31st comes to an end.
While I should achieve this goal before the year ends, I’m not sure if I will be aiming so high again in 2023. I have proven to myself that I can read 100 books in 52 weeks, and have enjoyed the books that this year has delivered, but in 2023 I’m aiming to read books that I have on my list (and that includes the 700 page Barack Obama book that I have been avoiding for too long).
2. Stick with the blog
And we come to our first non-completed goal much quicker than I would have liked. As you will probably know if you’re a reader of this blog, there hasn’t been much content in 2022.
Other platforms took priority, I spent time reading rather than writing, and there was the many travel trips and a new job that all got in the way.
Like I said at the beginning of this blog post, the blog will be making a comeback in 2023. I miss writing. I miss sitting down at my laptop and feeling the words flow out of my brain and through the ends of my fingers.
I miss losing two-three hours sat at my laptop when I’m in the writing zone, not noticing the time passing, whether I’ve eaten or if it’s suddenly turned dark outside. I miss being my own version of Carrie Bradshaw, and in the New Year, I’m bringing it back.
3. Season 2 baby
I want to say that I half-ticked this off. I just realised five new podcast episodes this week to make up for the lack of episodes over the past few months, but I do want to at least acknowledge and give myself a pat on the back for sticking with the podcast for the full year.
Although it wasn’t the season that I had hoped for or planned for, the podcast is still alive and I’m still producing episodes. So there is at least something to celebrate.
We will be back again in the new year with season 3 and I want to get more personal with those who listen to my podcast because it feels like an intimate conversation and I would say those that listen to my podcast probably know me better than anyone.
One goal for 2023 that I can tell you is that I am going to buy a microphone for recording.
4. Relocation, relocation, relocation
Well, we can all laugh at this one. This is the first time since moving out of my family home when I was 18 that I have stayed in the one flat/house from January to December.
It’s safe to say that I did not relocate anywhere, but for the first time, stayed exactly where I am. And being honest, I’m very thankful and happy that I did.
I love where I live in London, but as I’ve said many times on my podcast, I don’t like living in London itself. In the New Year, where we live is going to be a heavily discussed topic and big choices will be made in 2023.
That’s all I’ll say for now until my 2023 goals post in a week or two!
5. Career girl
My goal for 2022 was to be a sponge and soak up everything I could about influencer marketing and improve at my job and increase my knowledge.
Since writing this goal, I have moved to a new (and old) company, back to where I spent my placement year (which you can read all about here). I would say I ticked this one off as I’ve definitely grown as an influencer marketer this year, worked with some incredible influencers and somehow even ended up with a lot of them following me on social media.
I have more specific career goals for 2023, based on what has happened this year and we’ll get into that soon.
6. Go to Paris
Well, this goal was short and to the point. But, I can happily say that it was ticked off in March of 2022.
My boyfriend whisked me off to Paris for my 25th birthday and it couldn’t have been more perfect. It was my first time in the city and after some negative things that I had heard, I didn’t set my expectations too high.
However, I fell in love with Paris and am itching to go back again in 2023. Plus, after binging the newest season of Emily in Paris yesterday and today, it’s made me even more excited to go back and stroll the Parisian streets as it’s such a gorgeous city.
And, I wouldn’t say no to living there either.
Related: 48 Hours in Paris, France Vlog
7. Become ‘that girl’
If you don’t know the ‘that girl’ trend, you need just to type those two words into TikTok and you’ll be inundated with videos showing you how to be ‘that girl’.
Every year I add a fitness/health-related goal to my list, and every year I start off well and then slowly fall off the cliff.
I did not become ‘that girl’ in 2022, but I am determined to do so in 2023. I have cut out caffeine and Diet Coke since the beginning of November – I know, huge shock – and want to make my diet and relationship with exercise better in 2023.
What I need are new habits, and a new routine. But I’m saving that deep dive for a podcast episode in the New Year.
8. Invest in myself
In 2022, I will invest in my first stock. Watch out, Warren Buffet.
Warren Buffet had absolutely nothing to worry about in 2022 and he will have nothing to worry about in 2023 either.
I didn’t invest in my first stock in 2022 and highly doubt I will in 2023.
9. Write more
Well, we already know the blog took a major back seat in 2022, but this was more aimed towards journalling. My main issue with journalling is finding the time.
There are some times when I will get the notion to sit down and write a journal/diary entry and I do have a few of those saved on file from this year. Not as many as I would like, but I do still have a few.
I think I need to have the urge to sit down and journal, otherwise I’ll write something boring and mundane and will have wasted my time. When things happen in my life, I always have that itch to write it all down and to analyse what I’m thinking and feeling.
Maybe I’ll try to make it a weekly thing in 2023 and perhaps this will also even help with manifestation next year. Like I said, I have a feeling 2023 is going to be a big year.
10. Make more time for friends/family
I think this is something that did improve in 2022. I’m now back in touch with my old work friends in London and we plan to do something/see each other at least once per month.
I’ve grown closer with my flatmates from New York and we’ve started to do nights in on a Friday after work which is something I haven’t really done since I was at university, so it’s helping make London feel more like a home.
Two of my friends did move off this year to live in Dubai and Australia and I am so, so proud and excited for them. Although, it does give me itchy feet to get out of London as quickly as I can.
This is going to be an important goal for 2023, especially at the beginning of the year as I want to see my friends as much as possible before hopefully moving off to somewhere new.
11. Share more on social media
The final goal of 2022. I’m not really sure if I can share anything more about my life on social media than what I already do, but I did start YouTube this year and started solo podcast episodes which have definitely encouraged me to share more about my life and what’s going on.
I think I can safely say I’ve shared a lot on social media this year, and there’s still more of that to come in 2023.
The review
Overall, I didn’t fare too well with my 2022 goals, but I didn’t do too badly either. Going into 2023, I’m going to be more realistic with my goals but also dream big because what’s life without a little excitement and ‘what if’s.
Without being too down on myself, I did also achieve a lot this year. I started back at my dream job, I worked with some amazing influencers and managed to survive working with one of the biggest luxury Italian fashion brands, I turned 25 in Paris, travelled to six new places in Europe, spent two weeks in Bali and will be finishing the year in New York.
If 2023 ends up being anywhere near as good as 2022 then I’ll be more than happy. However, something tells me 2023 is going to be the best year yet.
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