Welcome to 2019! We are now more than halfway through the start of the new year-- here are some things I'm looking forward to achieving...
While I always joke that I can begin anew my failed resolutions during Chinese New Year as a 'second chance', I've been making good progress this year through an combined increase in effort and discipline honed from 2018. There are mainly three things that I'm excited to experience in 2019:
1. Making more meaningful relationships
I am shy. People always recoil in disbelief when I say so. But I am shy! Not in a 'I don't want to say anything because my hair looks stupid today and I am afraid of people judging me', but in a 'if I say something now, does this meaningfully contribute to the conversation?' kind of way. There are times when I wonder how my life would have turned out if I didn't have this dark angel on my shoulder, holding me back. I assume that my professional reputation would be a lot messier due to a more aggressive nature. Regardless! I am lucky and grateful to have made fun yet fulfilling friendships here in New Zealand in addition to maintaining my relationships back home. The professional contacts I've made in New York and in New Zealand are ones that I cherish and hope to positively impact in return.
2. Investing in my financial future
I believe that you (usually) get what you pay for. Unfortunately, just because the finer things in life cost a bit more doesn't mean that I should allow myself to become trapped in the cycle of frugality (think fast fashion and how often it needs to be replaced). 2019 is the year I strike the right balance between paying for quality items while still saving towards a sustainable future for myself. Liquid capital is nice, but it's time to maximise that 401(k)!
3. Investing in my personal growth
When I review my personal growth over a period of 365 days, I feel like I've changed and grown in ways that I couldn't have anticipated. This is an exciting development as I look toward the new year and what it has in store for me. I would like to travel more, be it solo or with friends. Developing new hobbies would be cool, too -- sure, everyone likes to travel and try out new restaurants or go see musical acts, but have you met someone with particularly esoteric hobbies? That makes them INCREDIBLY cool! Think of the self-discovery that comes with the realisation that one enjoys polo/sailing/16th century feminist literature!
Porro et sursum, friends!
1. Making more meaningful relationships
I am shy. People always recoil in disbelief when I say so. But I am shy! Not in a 'I don't want to say anything because my hair looks stupid today and I am afraid of people judging me', but in a 'if I say something now, does this meaningfully contribute to the conversation?' kind of way. There are times when I wonder how my life would have turned out if I didn't have this dark angel on my shoulder, holding me back. I assume that my professional reputation would be a lot messier due to a more aggressive nature. Regardless! I am lucky and grateful to have made fun yet fulfilling friendships here in New Zealand in addition to maintaining my relationships back home. The professional contacts I've made in New York and in New Zealand are ones that I cherish and hope to positively impact in return.
2. Investing in my financial future
I believe that you (usually) get what you pay for. Unfortunately, just because the finer things in life cost a bit more doesn't mean that I should allow myself to become trapped in the cycle of frugality (think fast fashion and how often it needs to be replaced). 2019 is the year I strike the right balance between paying for quality items while still saving towards a sustainable future for myself. Liquid capital is nice, but it's time to maximise that 401(k)!
3. Investing in my personal growth
When I review my personal growth over a period of 365 days, I feel like I've changed and grown in ways that I couldn't have anticipated. This is an exciting development as I look toward the new year and what it has in store for me. I would like to travel more, be it solo or with friends. Developing new hobbies would be cool, too -- sure, everyone likes to travel and try out new restaurants or go see musical acts, but have you met someone with particularly esoteric hobbies? That makes them INCREDIBLY cool! Think of the self-discovery that comes with the realisation that one enjoys polo/sailing/16th century feminist literature!
Porro et sursum, friends!