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As 2013 is getting going, somehow I manage to still be stuck back in 2012.
In fact, I’m so entrenched in this past year have written “2012″ on several important files, orders, and claims at work this week to the complete chagrin of my boss and the company CEO who reviews my work. Damnit.
Why can’t I let go of the past and move forward? Probably because 2012 was such a bangin’ year for me! I was living in my favorite city in Spain, Logroño, traveling all over the place AND I discovered my dream of being a professional travel writer. 2012 was also a key year for my intellectual growth, becoming a better person and basically growing up, all of which I can thank traveling and living abroad.
I’m internally afraid that 2013 won’t be up to par. For me there is nothing more terrifying (with the exception of spiders-seriously, I’m the biggest weenie when I see a spider) than going back downhill towards the black hole of despair, failure and regret.
This boils down to the fact that I am not a very resolute person, which is why I’m naming goals instead of resolutions, inherently more achievable and less guilt-causing if you fail.
In the past I have tried to set your standard New Year’s Resolutions, exercise more, eat less Nutella straight from the jar with a spoon, write a bestselling novel, travel to all 7 continents, pretty standard really, but when the new year rolls around and I since am not Gary Arndt, I felt dissatisfied with myself with not accomplishing such unrealistic high goals.
New plan of attack for 2013: aim low!
Here are my 13 goals I am going to work towards in 2013, goals that are more realistic for me. I promise myself now that I won’t be upset if I don’t achieve them all by next December and I recognize that some of this are life-long ambitions, but even if I can make progress towards some of them over the next 12 months, I’ll call that a success.
What do you hope to accomplish in 2013? Do you have 13 goals for 2013?
1. Move to a new country
By this time next year I will be settled in to a new life in a new country on a new continent. Here’s a hint, it’s a country with two words in the name, a relatively small population and interesting enough, exactly on the opposite side of the globe from Spain. Any guesses?
2. Say yes to everything
Ok, within reason and nothing inappropriate (within reason). What I mean to say is say yes to every opportunity that pops up in my face or my inbox. For the most part, I normally am a “yes” girl because I hate saying no. Lately though my biggest problem has just been ignoring things because I have been so busy with everything else, that way I don’t have to say yes or no. Running from things is never healthy, unless you are running away from a psycho ex. I want to try new things and have new experiences and not get stuck in the rut of comfort and the ordinary, which means I will have to say ”sí” to some things I might not have considered trying in 2012.
3. Answer messages faster
I am confessing this loudly and publicly in the event I try to deny it later on. I SUCK at answering messages related to my blog. I’ll answer here and there, especially the easy ones, but for the most part I feel guilty so I let it pile up and pile up. I want to catch up on all the pending messages in my email inbox, facebook and twitter and stay caught up with them over the next year. If you have written to me and I haven’t replied yet, I’m sorry! Feel free to remind me or embarrass me openly on one of my social media feeds. That will get my attention. Honestly, this is probably one of the hardest goals I am setting for myself, and if anyone has any advice about this, I’d love to hear it. HALP!
4. Keep speaking the Spanish
You can take the guiri (foreigner) out of Spain but can you take Spain out of the guiri? I miss speaking Spanish so much, even with a bad American accent. Luckily, where I am working, I get to speak Spanish with clients since I head the South America division BUT sometimes I get shy about speaking Spanish with my coworkers, heaven knows why. Maybe because they aren’t from Spain or I don’t know them, but I need to get my act together and start jabbering in castellano or I’m gonna forget all my swearwords.
5. Fall in love
Just kidding! People who actually have that as a goal and actively work towards it really piss me off (sorry if that’s any of you). I’m a firm believer that love comes along when you least expect it and bites you in the ass, not when you go hunting for it. I believe that true loves happens only when you are happy with yourself and your life at the right time. What I want to work on is to be more open to the possibility of love. I’ve had some sour relationships over the past 5 years (read: my heart ripped out, stomped on, torn up and eaten by rabid dogs) that has made me somewhat bitter and closed off. I want to be more open-minded in the heart department, this is a very long-term goal.
6. Be happy!
This goes along with number 5. For be, being happy is a work in progress, my break-up with Spain was a big kick in the stomach of my happiness level. Now that I am home, I am trying to see the positive side of my situation and use it as an opportunity to work hard, squirrel away some dollars, and move forward. If I don’t look on the bright side, I’ll start sliding back towards that twilight hole and cry, cry, cry!
Trust me, nobody wants to see me cry, it isn’t pretty. I am not a cute crier, I weep and sob like it’s the end of the world, make-up everywhere, whopping snuffles and hiccups, and it’s like an avalanche that once it’s starts, it’s hard to stop. Be thankful none of you went to see Les Miserables with me last week.
Being happy with who you are is a lifelong goal with anyone. I am actively working to be happy with my blog and trying not to compare it to others. This goes hand in hand with being less judgmental something everyone, everywhere needs to work on.
7. Write better
For me, my writing on this blog is my number one priority, and the day I start sacrificing the level of my writing for press trips, social media and advertising, is the day I hope you all will yell at me, call me a sell-out, and thoroughly chastise me for it. I believe in inspiring through writing. There is always room for improvement and building your voice, something I try to do every time I write a post. How can I make this better, be more creative?
My goal is that when you see a post of mine in your inbox (because you are a good reader and have subscribed to my little blog-thank you) you will see and think, that looks interesting, CLICK, instead of snore, select, trash.
I’ve seen some wildly successful travel blogs with truly crap writing and it drives me bonkers. Can you really not think of a better way to describe a place than “beautiful, amazing, and great” or publish top 5 lists that you can find already on TripAdvisor or Wikipedia? Wait, I am not supposed to be comparing my blog with others. Nevermind, I take it back. Deep breath. I can only focus on myself and my goals, which is to write the best I can and continuously trying to write better and never write a 350 word post on a “great” destination (smack me one day if I do).
Speaking of length, I should probably work on being more concise. I am rather wordy (I blame my southern roots) mostly because I got a lot to say, people! I read somewhere a blog post should never be over 1,000 words and considering I don’t think I have ever written a solid post under 1,000 words, there might be room for improvement. However, considering my most popular post was over 3,000 words, maybe this is more of a guideline. I’ll start with removing excess adjectives.
8. Do more food and wine writing
I love food and I love wine, which means I should write more about both! These were to big themes of my time in La Rioja, the gastronomic capital of Spain and home to the best wine in the whole wide world. Now that I am no longer in my beloved Logroño, I’ll have to look for new ways to incorporate these passions into my blog here.
9. Learn to accept criticism better
Is anyone good at this, really? Be honest. The way I write is not everyone’s cup of tea, and a handful of you guys are more than willing to express that to me. I see the big writers leave comments like “thank you for your opinion” or just ignore the negative. Man, I need to get there. You wouldn’t believe the amount of shit I got for my Auxiliar Spain Hate Post, which definitely was a learning experience and a turning point in how I handle reader feedback, partly because I wasn’t afraid to say exactly what I was thinking. There was a 200+ comment thread (I started) on Facebook about it, and I definitely earned some enemies but earned even more readers and ultimately the positive outweighed the negative.
Basically, this blog is my baby, my first-born, my preciousssss. Logically, when I would get the occasional rude, mean, or negative response, I would go full-on mother-hen defense mode. But I need to learn that I am putting myself out there in the public forum and that I am going to have to accept the good, bad and the ugly that come along with it. A big part of my blog is my blunt honesty and opinion, and I’d like to believe that’s why so many of you enjoy what I write, I don’t sugar-coat anything. With that in mind, I will never have 100% positive feedback, and I have to learn to suck it up and deal.
10. Have a year of firsts
Along with saying yes to any and all opportunities presented to me this brand spanking new year, I want to have a year of trying things I’ve never done for the first time. Have a year of stepping outside the box. I’ve been bungee jumping but I’ve never gone skydiving! I want to try as many new things as possible. Because all great adventures start with trying something new for the first time. I had never blogged or written publicly before 2010, and now look where I am.
11. Take better photos
I’ve always considered myself to be a decent photographer, mostly because of my background as an artist and painter. I know what light looks good, how to frame a shot, ect. But after reading lots of photography blogs this year, I realized there is so much more I can learn. Hoping to enroll in a photographer course in DC this spring, I plan to tackle picture taking and improve my shots. I especially want to get better at taking photos of people.
12. Let go of the past
Boy, this one’s a doozy. I’m a dweller. I dwell too much on just about anything. Failures, choices, opportunities. Did I do the right thing? What could I have done better? I regret this and that.
Mother of god, that’s so unhealthy and goes against everything I believe in. For the most part, I have learned to let go of things that bother me but there are a few things in my past I have trouble forgetting. This is not even a goal, this is a promise to myself. I will forget it and let go. Look forward not backwards and learn from my mistakes. But holding on to something that doesn’t make you feel good and in fact makes you feel worse, is just bad news bears all around.
Who’s with me?
13. Build my travel business
Saving the best for last, by Jan. 1, 2014, I hope to be traveling full-time and to have turned my blog and writing into a business. Boom.
How can you help me? By keep reading what I am writing and spreading the word. It will also help if you subscribe to my blog via RSS or email. It will also help heaps if you follow my page on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Otherwise, keep the comments coming, positive and negative, and thank you so, so much for sticking with me through 2012 and beyond.
All quotes and new country images came from my Pinterest boards
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youngadventuress
Awesome. Best of luck and may 2013 be a year of smiles, fun and joy for you .
BTW did you mean ‘more food and wine drinking’ ?
I definitely meant more food eating and wine drinking
Awesome goals Liz and all achievable if you stick to the plan and put a load a hard work in. The point about lazy travel writing really strikes a cord with me – it annoys me so many small scale writers stay undiscovered while the big boys are filled with unimagitive writing chasing SEO.
Thanks Marco, I couldn’t agree more, I just have to follow my own path and hope it brings me success
I am not a resolution setter, but a goal setter. I’m in a current lull because I’ve realized I’ve bitten off more than I can chew this year between my master’s, job and my blog, but I am happier because my hard work is paying off and I’m starting to actually do what I meant to a few years back. No time like the present, right?
I laughed out loud a few times here, but I think your ambition will take you further than you can imagine! Here’s to another inspiring year, and getting to where you want to be! I think I’m going to settle for earning my master’s and really buckling down on a book. Wanna buy it?! And, yes, agreed with you and Marco. I often marvel at the great writing that goes unnoticed, and then get mad at myself for allowing advertising on my site. But how can a blogger be without a laptop?!?!?!
we are totally on the same page!
I will totally buy your book
What wonderful goals for 2013 – and so inspiring! I can’t wait to follow your adventures throughout the year!
Kate xo petite-adventures.blogspot.ca
Thank you Kate! I’m glad you liked it
Great post, Liz! I have to say that I have a lot of similar goals- not dwelling is definitely up there, as well as saying yes more. Spending more time in Spain this year would also be a definite plus, I miss speaking Spanish too! Oh and just an fyi- I subscribed to your RSS.
wahooo! Thank you, that’s what I like to hear!! I’m glad we have similar goals, I feel like a lot of people feel the same but don’t publicly acknowledge it. I figured I’d go ahead and share my thoughts instead of a list of things to do.
Great goals! I’m sure you will fulfill every one of them! I know what you mean-2012 was actually amazing for me, and I’m not quite sure how 2013 could ever outdo it, but I guess we’ll see.
It’s gonna be hard, we have to stick together xx
I laughed out loud when I saw you name dropped Gary. He was one of the first few travel blogs I discovered about three years ago when I was still a senior in college. I was so overwhelmed by how many places he’d been! Safe to say not many of us will travel as much as Gary does. Anyways it’s not a contest–you travel the way you want to!
A lot of these are goals I have for myself or can relate to. Anyways I think your blog is great which is why I keep coming back!
Gary is amazing and no one can live up to him haha. I definitely am not that kind of traveler. I prefer to take my time and get to know a place for as long as I can.
So glad you can relate to my blog and you keep coming back, that makes me so happy
1) French Guiana?? DO TELL!
Great goals – a lot that I share. And I wish you all the best in turning this blog into a business, an amazing goal that I hope for you to accomplish with flying colors. You’re in for quite a year that will certainly help heal the Spain hangover.
Haha nope, but you’re getting warmer! Thanks Alex
I guess… New Zealand!
Let me start by saying that I think your goals are great because like you said, even if you don’t completely reach them, just making some progress will be an achievement in itself.
I think you take incredible scenic photos. With some practice and a few tips, I’m sure your photos of people will be just as breathtaking.
Letting go of the past takes time to master. It all depends on your outlook. You might feel a bit restless being in one place and working, but you’re working towards being a more holistic person and travel writer. This down time will give you time to enjoy the things you missed. It will also give you time to do some research on things so you have more security on your next journey, but mostly it will bring you the balance you need to be happy.
Spain will leave you with an ache in your heart. I know. I feel the same ache, but I think the new experiences will alleviate some of the doubt and restlessness you’re feeling. Someday, you’ll go back to Spain and revisit it with fresh eyes. For now, new adventures lie ahead for the young adventuress and your readers are standing by to hear all about it.
CORRECT!
What a lovely comment, thank you Miriam! It was exactly what I needed to hear waking up early on a Monday morning.
I totally agree. I’m making a big move across the pond next year and I’m restless. I need focus. But at the same time, I’m enjoying every moment with my friends and family before I go. I mean I’m planning to throw a birthday party for me in May. I just want to take in everything that I have going around and see some pretty awesome Houston things before I go.
Kristi, that is a great plan and a great way to look at it
Good luck! Sounds like 2012 was pretty great for you, so I hope 2013 is the same.
I’m so with you on the answering messages thing…they can just lurk in my inbox for weeks! Sometimes I’m actually afraid to check it, just in case I missed something important. That one’s definitely on my resolution list too. So far I’ve made myself answer an e-mail every time I feel guilty about not doing it. It’s working so far (but it’s early days!).
It’s awful, I have some lurking there for months but then I get more, and I answer those first. It’s so frustrating. You’re definitely right though, I should set small goals
You did get to see some amazing places in 2012 (ha, see what I did there?) and accomplish some remarkable things, so I can sympathize with the feeling that 2013 can’t live up. But from what I’ve seen on this blog and how much it has improved and grown in the relatively short time I’ve been following it, I just have to say that I can’t WAIT to see what you’re going to be up to in 2013. Go get it, girl!
Also, I don’t know if I’d ever resolve to eat Nutella from anywhere other than out of the jar.
Haha I did see what you did there. I’m a total hypocrite and I definitely say those adjectives in real life and on my blog too, but I strive to provide more thought provoking and in-depth descriptions of the places I visit haha.
Also, what a nice comment! Thank you so much Sara!
Nutella is supposed to be eaten from the jar. It baffles me why the have commercials with people putting it on bread. Weird.
What photography blogs are you reading? I’ve also decided to work on my photo skills this year…
http://www.thepolarroute.com/ – Ed was at the Bloghouse with me, amazing stuff!
http://blog.kenkaminesky.com/
Great post Liz!
These are my 2013 goals…http://runkwrun.blogspot.com/2013/01/on-horizon.html
I know it’s a lot, but some of them work together. And oh well…who cares really.
Good luck with your goals.
Thanks Kristi! great goals! I am training for my first half marathon as we speak, er write! Good luck!
Wonderful post, Liz! I can relate to all of your goals, and definitely have very similar ones for 2013. And I absolutely agree with you that there only are very few blogs I return to for good writing – yours is one of them! Not because we sometimes have quite a scary amount in common, but because you write honestly and from the heart!
I’m looking forward to hearing all about your move to New Zealand and to being awestruck by your photos of incredible natural beauty – and a few Lord of the Rings references, of course!
Thanks Julika! What a sweet comment, you put a smile on my face!
We should be friends haha, sounds like we are twins!!
Thanks for your honesty and openness! I am still learning the ropes of this blogging world and I admire you for speaking from your heart. I hope I can write just as bravely one day
Good luck with your goals!
Aww thanks Jane! I’m trying to find my place in this big world of travel blogs and I really believe my honesty and sharing my true thoughts and feelings help me stand out from the crowd! So corny but I love it when I can relate to readers and them to me, makes me happy thank you
I am super excited to follow your travels to NZ this year, Liz, and live vicariously through you in *ahem* Middle Earth.
I’m also interested to see the path you take to monetizing your blog (mainly because I have no idea how I’d go about doing that myself hahaha). But you regularly crank out quality posts each week so you’ve got your priorities in the right place. They say to focus on the CONTENT and the money will flow…so they say. 
A possible post or two I’m interested in hearing from you would be a Spanish Wine 101 or a guide to wine from Spain. For example, when I got here a few months ago I was really confused about the joven/crianza/reserva/gran reserva distinction, or what the heck tempranillo was supposed to mean.
And although I know you’d definitely have a bias, I’d really enjoy reading through a post detailing the major Denominaciones de Origen (they do make wine outside of Rioja hehehe!) For instance, La Mancha is the biggest D.O., Valdepeñas is the bestselling, etc. but I don’t really know do they compare with Rioja or Ribera del Duero, etc.
Speaking of wine, I tried a glass of tinto Gran Reserva La Mancha at a Reyes dinner and SWOONED it was so robust and rich. But perhaps it was so good because it was gran reserva, not necessarily the D.O. That’s the kind of stuff I wonder about.
Keep the posts coming, Liz—you’re doing great!
Trevor! Great idea, I have actually had that drafted for months after touring some big bodegas in la rioja, but I haven’t gotten around to finishing it yet, your comment was just the motivation I needed! Thank you! Come to NZ with me
Great, positive list!
Saying ‘yes’ and being happy…those two alone should create so many great adventures, opportunities and reasons to write….have fun!!
Thank you! I hope they do too!
Hi Liz!
Great list! When do you move over to New Zealand? I’m living there at the moment, and honestly – there is nowhere more beautiful than here. You’ll love it!
Do you have a location in mind?
Hi there! I want to move to Queenstown or somewhere on the south island! Any tips for me? How do you like it? I can’t wait!
Awesome list. I think you’ve inspired me to write one of my own.
It was great spending time with you in 2012 and I hope our paths cross again in 2013. I think I may have to travel pretty far if I want to make that happen though!
It was so great to meet you! I can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store for us, I guess I’ll have to hike down to S. America then
I absolutely love this post. I went further and further down the list and literally checked each one as I went knowing I should definitely be doing the same. If it wasn’t for child and work commitments I’d be jetting off tomorrow. I haven’t been travelling for almost five years and really miss the adventure. Your post has inspired me to get out and do more. I’m hoping my virtual tours business will let me travel and work at the same time. Will def be sharing this.
That makes me so happy! I’m glad we share the same goals and I hope you get to travel more! It’s hard to balance everything but I believe it’s possible
Liz,
Boy, I wish I had gotten to meet you when you were still in Spain- I bet we could have gotten into some trouble together.
I stumbled upon your website and love it- content and personality-wise. Keep your eye on the ball and I bet you will have each achieved #13 this time next year.
I have already started following you on Twitter and will go and do all the other social media platforms as well. I recently started my own blog (from the perspective of a burned out lawyer recuperating in Madrid and blogging about food primarliy) and know how tough going it can be. If you could reciprocate, I would be most obliged (I am GambasandGrits on FB, Twitter, Pinterest and FoodSpotting).
Also, if you are up for some cross-pollination, I would love to have a guest post/recipe/something from you. I will promote it on all the platforms I mentioned.
Best of luck to you, and here’s to 2013 being as kick-ass as 2012!
Annie
(PS- It’s New Zealand, right?)
You guessed right!
I wish could have met in Spain too! I love your blog name haha we would have had fun! I’m do glad you like my blog! I’ll try to follow you as we’ll, I’ll work on sitting for you but it’ll take some time. Swamped is an understatement for me haha, I look forward to seeing what’s in store for 2013! Thanks for such a lovely comment
Great goal, Liz
With your move to New Zealand I am sure you will add sub menus on the Destinations tab in this blog (Australia and Asia)
I wait for your update article on this youngadventuress.com.
I can’t wait to add asia and australia to my blog menus, you read my mind
Good luck with everything! I’ll be following along with your journey as I’m still in the beginning of mine
I admire your honesty and willingness to admit your faults while still being proud of all of your accomplishments. Keep it up!
Thank you so much Samantha
I have high expectations to live up to now 
Hi, great blog. We live in sunny Tauranga but travel at every opportunity. This makes me smile because we are heading to Spain (Jerez de la Frontera) for a gap year or two in 2014 with our 8 yr old son and you’re heading to NZ. We save and plan to travel every year with a BIG trip every 5 year.
Thanks Peggy, I love Jerez, such a lovely city! I will definitely be down in NZ by 2014
Good luck with your trips!
I’ve got so many goals/resolutions/plans/whatever for 2013 as well, and I’m actually a little surprised how alike they are to yours… I wrote a blog post about it as well (http://michellemessika.com/2013/01/06/2013-will-be-the-year-where-i/) and I’ve also decided to move to a new country (again again again) and learn how to write and photograph better – they are actually the most important goals on my list, I think. I will definitely be coming back to see if we agree on other stuff as well!
yayyy! little behind on the times because ive been working too much and just realized youre moving to NZ! how awesome
one of my goals is to write better in 2013 too. i feel after speaking norwegian day in and day out here im losing my english and losing it FAST. i hardly have the time to blog but need to make a conscious effort to in order to help retain my english skills.
accepting criticism is difficult for everyone. i played sports my whole life so ive traditionally been quite good at it and what ive learned is to just pay no mind to it. not to acknowledge it. once it is acknowledged, people know it somehow bothered you or had an impact on your day. by not even responding to it, they’ll feel more frazzled by the fact that you didnt care than anything else. it is hard for me b/c i have to always have the last words haha
and i totally agree about answering messages faster. im sitting with emails from months ago that i havent had the time to answer. i need to figure out what my problem is so i can respond to comments and emails a little bit better this year. it is really sad. if you figure out what works for you…let me know so i can freaking implement it into my life too.
Liz,
I started reading through your blog a couple of weeks ago as research for my own travel blog that I’m beginning at the end of April. I have to say, out of all that I’ve read, you’ve got the best tone and mix of humor/self derision to make for highly entertaining reading (a great excuse to dick off on the job for my last two months).
We have many things in common – American travelers from the south that are both open minded and also very outspoken. I also am an artist, and enjoy writing (though I know I won’t do it half as well as you do). Having read a great deal of your blog, I will say if I learn as much about myself through traveling as you did, I will consider it a success.
Just-so’s-you-know, favorite blog post thus far was the haters gonna hate. Cackled obnoxiously at my desk while reading. Which might have been suspicious if my coworkers didn’t already regard me as the office nut:) Anywho, keep up the stellar writing, and props on staying classy despite the hating. Maybe one of these days we’ll meet up overseas and I’ll have equally entertaining stories to share with you!
Lindsay
Hi!
Thanks very much for this article, it’s incredibly funny and I like it soo much! I like your interesting style of writing.
I’m learning English so I try to read as much as possible and your blog has fascinated me, because I adore traveling…It’s one of my penchant
Looking forward to reading your next post..
Greetings from Czech Republic
Diana