I feel like New Year’s resolutions aren’t very good this year. Everyone talks about celebrating your accomplishments instead of setting yourself unrealistic challenges. Others talk about small “goals” and others throw them away all together, but they never stick to them anyway, so what’s the point?
But I like New Year’s resolutions. I especially like resolutions that I write down or display on the internet for everyone to see. When someone else is reading it, it creates a sense of responsibility.
Myself and the rest of the team are discussing New Year’s resolutions. I’ll be checking back in, hopefully at the end of 2016, so I’ll let you know how it goes!
Monica’s Resolution: To take more Weekenders
I’ve been bombarded with information about Weekenders lately very sorry. But that’s because I want to travel as much as possible on the weekends in 2016.
For me, the way to get more weekend vacations is simply to be more organized. Instead of wasting your weekends on boring errands, you want to spend your weekends by planning fun and exciting trips. Sometimes I’ll have a boring weekend and then come Sunday evening I think, “Let’s do something fun next weekend.” But before I knew it, it was Saturday again and I hadn’t booked anything! So my goal for 2016 is to organize with the Weekenders.
Elle’s Resolution: Slow down and appreciate travel experiences
I used to obsess over the number of places I had visited. It has been a personal goal of mine to travel to as many countries as possible, and luckily I was able to make great strides in this goal.
But one of the downsides of trying to see more and more is that we often forget to slow down and really appreciate a place. What I hope for in 2016 is to experience the destination first-hand. Spend less time planning your itinerary down to the minute and more time talking to locals. Rather than spending the whole day trying to see everything, choose one or two things you really want to see.
Not only will I experience a richer and deeper journey, but I think my writing will also be better as a result. You’ll be able to tell more stories and see your destination through the eyes of someone who isn’t in a hurry.
Of course, you have to resist the urge to keep gobbling up destinations that seem like they’ll disappear. But my New Year’s resolution is to slow down in 2016 and focus on quality rather than quantity.
Anne’s Resolution: Improve my photography and videography
My New Year’s resolutions, besides practicing yoga every day (to keep my mildly irrational tendencies at bay!), are to improve my photography and step into the scary world of videography is.
I feel like my photos are selling well in 2015, but a little video of a British Airways business class cabin might not be of everyone’s interest, but people want to see the action. I am conscious of what I am thinking.
It’s a daunting prospect at the moment, given that I’m still just beginning to grasp the potential of Lightroom and Photoshop, but the one-day photography course I attended in 2015 really paid dividends, and I’m looking forward to working with videographers as well. I think I’m going to do the same thing.
Of course, I always want to keep improving my photography, so I’ll be working on that as well.
Amy’s Resolution: Get out from behind the camera
My resolution is to make sure my camera doesn’t have enough fun while I travel. In other words, I want to spend less time taking photos from every angle and drafting social media posts and more time just savoring the moment and enjoying it. The trick is to strike a balance between the two.
Char’s Resolution: Travel in the UK
I’ve always realized that I’ve been neglecting traveling to England. Traveling abroad always seems to be at the top of my list. But now that I’m a mom, I’ve especially noticed that I’m not making the most of my ‘backyard’.
My plan for 2016 is to kick some bad habits and make the most of the amazing places that are just around the corner (or at least within easy driving distance).
I went to the Lake District a few years ago and was struck by how beautiful it was. I swear it looked more like Austria than England. I vowed to come back and explore more of the UK. I hope to visit again sometime in 2016. I also think you should travel to Cornwall, Scotland (especially to ride the famous Jacobite, aka Hogwarts Express!), the Peak District…the list goes on.
The great thing about traveling to England is that it doesn’t take long. You can’t go to the airport, much less hang out at the airport. It’s often cheaper, but it never hurts to have a baby in tow!
Do you have any resolutions or can you relate to our resolutions?