I am incredibly famous for sticking to my New Year’s resolutions. In 2015, I resolved to not drink coffee for an entire year. I had developed quite the habit in high school, spending my lunch money on lattes at the Seattle’s Best across the street. Coffee hurt my stomach and wasted my money. So I quit.
On New Year’s Day 2016, I went to Stumptown to celebrate the completion of My Year Without Coffee and promptly threw up my cappuccino as soon as I got home. Ever since then, I haven’t been the same. Quitting coffee completely kicked my habit and now I only drink it a few times a year.
This fueled me to begin creating realistic, simple (ok the “simple” part of this perhaps is arguable) New Year’s goals. For 2021, I created 9 measurable, achievable goals in 3 different categories. Setting goals is my my Olympics!!!
Food
Make croissants once even if they’re bad. I have never made laminated dough before and honestly? I’m scared. But I miss croissants so much. When I worked at Glossier, I would go to the bakery across the street twice a week to get a special flaky treat. I don’t like taking the subway more than I have to, and there are no French cafes in my neighborhood. So that means no croissants for now. Until I learn to make them!
Learn how to make a good hojicha latte. This year I got my at-home matcha recipe down pat. I tried hojicha, matcha’s toastier cousin, for the first time in Japan and was hooked. I can’t wait to source the perfect hojicha powder and tinker with which alternative milks and simple syrups work best in a hojicha latte. Plus, it’s fun to watch Youtube tutorials on food and drink from a culture other than your own to learn exactly how to make something.
Make a two-layer cake entirely from scratch with cake, buttercream, filling, and decorations. I have fallen prey to cake decorating Tik Tok and Instagram, and for Christmas I got a spinning cake stand, piping bags, offset spatulas, and a vintage ceramic cake plate. I made a cake for my girlfriend’s birthday and it looked so cute, totally boosted my confidence that anyone can make a pretty cake with the right tools. But I want to make a cake that tastes AMAZING, with a totally unique flavor profile. This tweet has me salivating.
My IG saved folder for typefaces
Design
Release a book or zine for people to buy. Every time I post my work, people flood my DMs asking how they can buy what I’ve made. I want to sell my stuff, I really do, but it does take some planning. I’m also working on letting go of the ickiness I feel when I monetize my hobbies. People wanting to pay to own the things I make is cool! I have a few zine ideas floating around, and they’re easy to make and accessible for people to buy, so that hopefully will happen in 2021.
Book at least one *paid* freelance project from a new client. This seems like an easy goal to achieve, but for the past year I have been doing exclusively pro bono work for people I really love OR work for repeat clients. I’d love to collaborate with new people, genuinely.
Design a typeface even if it’s not good. I’ve never done this before! It’s one of the gaps in my (very expensive) design education. I love type, and have some ideas bubbling. This is a goal I wouldn’t be surprised (or mad!) if I don’t achieve. Making a typeface takes a LOT of time, effort, and resources and I want to give it a good fair go. But I will definitely be dipping my toes into designing type this year, even if a whole typeface doesn’t come out of it.
Prospect Park <3
Body
Go on a walk at least twice a week. I live near Prospect Park and don’t go for a walk there as often as I’d like. I want to spend more time outdoors in general this year, but two walks a week is a more measurable and realistic goal.
Vitamin D every weekday. I am like, dangerously low. I take 5000 IU a day, which is a shit ton. I’ve slacked on taking it lately, so this is me holding myself accountable.
Wash my face twice a day. This newsletter is a safe space. Hygiene is HARD. Sometimes I skip showers, skip brushing my teeth, skip washing my face. I am trying to give myself grace. Life is hard. But this year I’ll be better at washing my face at the very least.
Also, my Goodreads goal is 30 books which I can already tell I’m going to exceed. I’ve had so much trouble hitting my reading goals in the past, but this year I’m going to do it!
What are your goals for this year?
I’m tardy to comment because I didn’t get this in my email for some reason so I’m just seeing it today! I didn’t take time to make goals this year and now I really want to. Also thank you for the unhygienic solidarity, it’s been hard for me lately too! Just did a ton of research and treated myself to all new skincare so I am on the journey with you :’)
Love each and every one of these goals!!! Most excited to hear about the croissant journey (because I'm selfishly hoping to reap the benefits hehehe). Sounds like you're off to a great start, Clare! I just added you on goodreads :)