Friday 2 January 2015

New Year, New Goals, and a Lesson I Learned in 2014

New Year's Resolutions




At the turn of every year, like most people, I like to set myself new goals for the twelve months ahead. Eat more fruit, get organised, magically morph into Blake Lively... all the usual things! But lately I've been trying to do something else as well - to take stock of all the things I've achieved in the past twelve months. Sometimes I think we get so focussed on where we are striving to get to that we forget to give ourselves credit for how far we've already come.
 
2014 started with a big lesson for me. I have always taken it for granted that if I only work hard enough for long enough, I will eventually achieve my dreams, but at the beginning of last year I was forced to accept that despite years of hard work, my dream of having a novel published just wasn't going to happen for me, at least not any time soon. It's something I'd wanted since I was about twelve years old, so it's safe to say that I began the year feeling pretty lost and miserable.
 
And then I decided to start blogging.

Do you believe that everything in life, even the bad stuff, happens for a reason? Well I have to confess that I never have, but it's true to say that without experiencing the heartache of having my novel rejected, it would never have occurred to me to try something different. I would never have imagined in a million years how much I was going to enjoy blogging. I haven't been doing it long and still have so much to learn, but already it has brought me so much pleasure and opened up a whole new world of possibilities. So the lesson is, while it's great to chase your dreams, it's also good to keep an open mind. Dreams can come in all shapes and sizes and it's OK to find a new one!

As I think about what I want to achieve in 2015, I find that a lot of my goals are centred around my blog. Improving my content, working on my photography skills, perhaps even a brand new layout. I can't wait to look back in twelve months from now and feel proud of how far I've come!

What do you want to achieve in 2015?

Kate x
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22 comments

  1. Keeping sending you novel to publishers! You may get 100's of rejections, but you just need one to say yes!
    Hope 2015 is the best for you

    Angie x |~ Chocolate & Lipstick || UK Beauty Blog ~

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    1. Aw thank you! I think if I'm honest it's just not good enough as it stands, but I haven't given up on improving it! Hope you have a great 2015 too. X

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  2. Aww I hope you get your book published! Keep trying and it will happen :) For me i really want to improve my blog in 2015 and that small old thing of saving up for a mortgage!! xxx

    KirstyLeigh

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  3. I'm a firm believer in 'everything happens for a reason' including all of the bad and pooey stuff in life lol :) I hope you get your book published and I'm sure it will happen in due time. Happy New Year my lovely X

    THEFASHION-JUNKIE

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  4. Awww Kate well done to you - I am a believe that everything happens for a reason, even the bad stuff…. I think we learn and we grow from all experiences and we are here for a reason….I mean even though your novel hasn't (yet) been published you never known what could come a long….look at how far you've come with your blog…you should be proud now and even prouder in one year! :)

    I personally can't wait to see what you're going to do in 2015…..I do have a few things coming soon which I'm excited about but I also love seeing what my friends (bloggers) are all doing….we are all the same so it's really nice! :)

    I hope 2015 is filled with love and happiness and above all, health - I know this is a long comment but oh well :)

    Layla xx
    www.sprinklesofstyle.co.uk

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  5. keeping my fingers crossed for getting your novel published, I'm sure it will happen for you when the time is right, pleased you started blogging though, I agree it's opens up so many doors and its so much fun to do. Good luck for you and your blog this year, can't wait to see to go from strength to strength xx
    Danielle ||Miss Sunshine & Sparkle

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  6. Great post Kate! You have done a really great job when it comes to the blog and I wish you a very successful year ahead! :)

    Love Priya

    MyFashionFixes

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  7. what a lovely photo

    wishing you a lovely 2015 x

    Stefanie | Casualllyawkward | Bloglovin

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  8. what an amazing write up. You are an awesome writer and i do hope your dream of publishing a novel will come true!

    For me, this 2015 i am just going to relax and take everything as it comes.

    xoxo
    Chidiogo

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  9. I can't say I'm a believer that everything happens for a reason. I think bad things sometimes happen and you eventually land on your feet, whether that's in a week or a month or in a year. Because good things happen too and it's not always related.

    Good luck with your blogging goals, I'm sure you can attempt to be published again in the future. It's something I would love to do myself one day!

    Corinne x
    www.skinnedcartree.com

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  10. I think tons of things happen for reason. I think that there would simply be too many freaky coincidences in my life, if that weren't true. I feel the same way about blogging, Now that I've been doing this for a few years, I can't imagine NOT doing it. It awoke this passion for writing and photography that I never knew I had. I know that it must have been hard having your novel rejected, but do you know how many fabulous authors were rejected time and time again? Never, ever give up and remember that if something doesn't work out the way you wanted it to, it's only because life has something even better planned for you. Hope this year brings you nothing but success, happiness and fulfillment Kate!

    Paula
    My beauty and lifestyle blog

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  11. Sorry to hear about your novel, I will keep my fingers crossed for the future! Yay for blogging though, I am super pleased you started as I really enjoy reading your posts :)

    Style Sunrise ☀

    :)
    x

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  12. Keep working hard on the novel idea.
    Happy new year!
    xo ClassToCloset

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  13. Don't give up with your novel Kate, you never know what will happen in the future :) All the best for the new year! It's really nice to meet bloggers like you in real life :)

    Hanh x | hanhabelle

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  14. I'm sorry to hear about your novel not getting published, but that is a major achievement to have written one! If you don't think it is good enough, maybe spend sometime editing it and then submit it again to as many publishers as possible. Also, did you think about self publishing? I'm not really familiar with it, but it's an option. Anyway, I hope you have a great year!

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  15. Dont give up, all the best for the future. Love your photography and you are very beautiful! x
    littlemisscazzie.blogspot.com

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  16. This is such a lovely and honest post :) I have had a similar time. I really want to improve and work on my blog this year!
    - C
    Claudine Converses

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  17. Agree, blogging is one of those things you don't realize how much you love until you start doing it. All the best to you in 2015!

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  18. I totally agree with not setting goals that you'll fail by the 2nd week of January. I too want to improve my content, work on my photography and keep doing what I love :) Good luck!

    Anoushka xx www.Anoushkaloves.com

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  19. I really want to work on my writing style this year! xx
    fashionismyfirstlanguage.blogspot.ie

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  20. Really enjoyed reading this post! Publishing a book or even just writing a novel is an amazing goal. Don't let go of it if you're really passionate about writing! - beth :) http://alittlebitaboutb.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

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  21. Keep trying send your novel! never give up!. I also fail on my scholar application but still I will not give up :) I believe you can do it!

    xx
    http://liveitcolorfully.blogspot.com

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