This is my first personal post of 2018 and I have to admit, it does feel weird writing that number. Are you here to compare our resolutions, or do you have no idea what to make for your own? I can’t say that mine are inspiring, but they’re small and achievable goals. Honestly, I just like to make them a little bit easy because I love crossing things off my to do list. Feels good.

Fitness and food

I’m going to put this one first because it’s just the standard - Stick to a fitness routine and prepare meals the night before work. This goes hand-in-hand with STOP wasting money on food. This is definitely the hardest resolution every year.

Since I arrived back home from snowboarding I’ve been going to the gym around 4-5 times a week and I’ve stopped eating Milo - Big step for me!

Youtube

I’ve been thinking about YouTube. Video content is fun, but it’s hard!    I’m not a pro editor and 100% shy on camera. Maybe I’ll work on this, maybe not. I think I might start with a vlog of my time in Japan. I bet I’ll removed this from the list as soon as I start editing - I always feel SO embarrassed but I know that you almost can’t succeed without embarrassment. Anyway, keep an eye out for vlogs, I’m not really the type for tutorials or try on hauls so, sorry! 

Social Media 

This is something I’ve been thinking about for a few months now. I feel a little lost with Instagram and I’m not sure it portrays me very accurately. It has definitely impacted the friendships that I’ve made with people and the friendships I could have had too. It took me a while to understand that my Instagram can be intimidating for some people and I want to work on showing my natural/everyday side. When people tell me it’s intimidating it makes me so upset! It’s not my goal at all. I want to talk with you and I want to know your thoughts, opinions and ideas on things all the time - I guess it’s what this is all for in the end! I’ll be posting more on Instagram stories and experimenting with my photography and editing. 

Define My Style

In terms of style, I have cleared SO MUCH stuff from my wardrobes and drawers. I am trying to start almost from scratch with a necessities like work clothes and pieces I just can’t part with. This is an important part of my identity that I feel like I lost around mid-2017. I guess I’m getting older and my style and interests are changing too. I’m going to be experimenting a lot here too, some outfits will look wack and some will come together. I want to push my boundaries and find where I sit comfortably. Also I need to stop wasting money on sales! I shop sales like it’s my lifeline and I need to chill

Another goal would be to actually get these cleared clothes out of my house!

• (Ps. I’ll be selling a lot of clothes with TAGS ON at www.instagram.com/izzysmithhwardrobe - Mostly size 6 - 10 clothes and size 7 - 8 shoes)

Work with more Australian brands

I love creating content, editing and putting it all together as one big project! I want to push myself to approach more labels/brands that I love and create some fun content this year. There’s already so much lined up and so many things I’ve already done in the first two months that have been amazing to be a part of. 

Since the start of this financial year I’ve been saving my earnings from blogging too. This will be my first year of officially actually earning money from my blog and Instagram!! I am OVER THE MOON. Something I enjoy, a hobby, a passion has become part of how I earn a living and I think that is just the greatest thing to achieve. So yeah, here’s my pat on the back to myself because I am so proud of this. I am so proud of the people who help me create content and you for supporting me on this weird and wonderful mini-career. 

Ps. I still get SO nervous during a street photoshoot.

Blog organisation

I want to stay two weeks ahead in content/writing. I always feel more relaxed when I am organised (which isn’t often) and everything runs smoothly. I’ve been smashing out blog posts this year and I hope I can bring you so much more! 

I also want to focus a lot more on Pinterest, looks like a good space to explore for putting my content out there. 

What I’m proud of from 2017

I really amped up my content on Izzy Wears and on Instagram, this blog is just over a year old now! I made sure I set aside time for emails, content creation and content writing. Right now, I feel organised and focused with where I want to take my blog.

Worked with so many incredible clients 

Only in my wildest dreams would I work with some of the brands/companies I worked with this year. I was given so many fantastic opportunities to create content and try new things - I couldn’t have done it without the incredible support from you! I pushed myself to take on more work, repeat work with clients and even finalised some of my own successful pitches. It was a big and exhausting year with a lot of challenges to overcome, 2018 will be even bigger.

Wander over to the archive to see an overview of 2017 posts.

Forced myself to be more social

I really put myself out there to meet new people and make new friends! I have never been to so many events in one year. I’ve always thought of myself as a sociable person but I need time to myself to recharge. I almost always wish I was tucked in bed at home but this year I made the most effort to get to as many industry events as humanely possible (and friends birthdays too, I went to three birthdays in one day during October!). I honestly don’t regret those late nights and hungover mornings. I met some truly amazing people in 2017 and I can’t wait to see what mischief we get up to in 2018! 

I started my first full time job!

I graduated from university in September 2016 and I was offered a full time position as the Social Media Manager at SPEQS! We’re an online eyewear store with a virtual try-on app for glasses and sunglasses. It’s been a huge learning curve for me and I’m still learning everyday! I’ve had to change my lifestyle a lot but I think this has been a great experience so far and I’m excited about the future.

Saw snow for the first time

In January 2017 I headed over to Hokkaido in Japan and experienced snow for the very first time! You might laugh at the word ‘experience’ but oh my gosh it was exactly that. I have fallen in love with the snow and I fell even more in love in January this year. I have an unhealthy obsession with snowboarding and I am itching to get back to the snow soon. If you offered me the chance to go to the snow right now, I would not even hesitate. 

Well done for making it all the way to the end of the first, of many, personal posts to come this year. If you like reading this kind of thing, please let me know. I often do feel like I’m talking to myself and feedback or constructive criticism is always great and motivating to receive. 

Also, if you think we’d get along, message me! I’m always up for talking to someone new and finding new blogs too. 

Here’s to 2018, make it yours!