We all made some New Years Resolutions about six months ago. Do you still remember what you promised? Have you tracked how you’ve been doing? Is this year so far a huge success story or could you do better for the next 6 months to make sure you achieve your goals?

 

In this post, I’m going to look back to my 2017 resolutions and tell you where am I now. I’ll do my traditional wrap up at the end of December too but I think sometimes it’s good to have a little catch up half way there, right?

 

 

1. Studies & Work

 

 

I promised to…

 

– pass all the medical courses

– do at least 50 credits (25 US credits) of economics

– do my best every day at work

– work 40-60 hours a week during spring = get a second job

– earn money for a) new camera + lens, b) new Mac, c) trip to Europe and d) part of the wedding budget + some extra

– learn to use InDesign and Lightroom, and improve my Photoshop skills

 

 

How I’ve done so far?

 

So far I’ve done 12 credits economics and 3 credits Swedish for economics. I’m also working with another 12 that I should get at the end of July. This means I have to do a little more at fall semester. What comes to medical courses I did pass 2/3 I had for this academic year. I think I’m doing okay with my studies but I could improve a bit during fall semester.

 

Workwise I did get the second job and did two jobs (40-60 hours a week total) until April. Then I realized that I need some more time to concentrate on my smoothie book project and some so I quit. I’ve done very good job in both of my jobs.

 

I did save a) around 50% of my dad sponsored the rest, yeah, b) around 50% of new Mac – my bf buys my old Mac from me that’ll make about the price of a new one in total :), c) most of the travel budget for Europe is saved, d) I also did manage to save some money for your wedding. I could though have saved a lot more but I’m happy I did manage to this well though.

 

I have learned to use Lightroom and tried InDesign. I haven’t though mastered either so I’ll keep learning. I’ve improved a bit with Photoshop but I’ll keep working on that one too.

 

 

2. Live Healthy & Look Good

 

 

I promised to…

 

– stick with 470kcal of exercise a day goal, reach it at least 5 times a week

– exercise at least 3-5 times a week

– try at least 3 new sports

– learn to bowl

– become a better golfer (and finally get a green card)

– eat more greens

– keep drinking a lot of water

– cook healthy food more often

– lose at least 20pounds (10kilos) in a healthy – 2pounds/month way during 2017

 

 

How I’ve done so far?

 

I’ve been exercising significantly more than last year, some week that means 2 times and others 6 times but I think I’ve been doing quite well with that one. I’ve though been quite boring and stuck mostly with my old favorites. So, to do for summertime is the try new sports! It would be cool to try tennis and go golfing.

 

I’ve been cooking almost all of our foods so I’ve done great with that one. Most days I’ve also done well with the water drinking. What comes to weight loss I’ve lost 4kg (9 pounds) from the beginning of the year. I was supposed to be -10pounds / 5kg at this point. The fact that I was sick the first half of May made it slightly harder to loose weigh.

 

 

 

3. Travel & Explore

 

 

I promised to…

 

– travel the Europe, explore at least 10 countries (for example Sweden, Norway, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia)

– have mini holidays in Finland at least twice

– learn to drive a stick car

– do post(a) about must sees in Finland

– keep exploring different events in Finland

+ if possible I’d like to participate in at least one blogger meeting / event

– do honeymoon travel planning + post about ideas and plans

 

 

How I’ve done so far?

 

I’ve learned to survive with a stick car (!!), I’ve also visited Sweden and explored some amazing restaurants and places in Finland. We’ll be heading to a road trip to Europe later this summer and we’ll be exploring plenty of new places.

 

I’ll write more about must sees in Finland and our honeymoon planning later this year. Stay tuned! I wish I’d also get a change to participate some blogger meetings or events later this year because I yet haven’t.

 

 

4. Improve My Social Media & Related

 

 

I promised to…

– Write at least 5 quest posts to others

– Publish at least 5 quest posts in this blog (read this if you’re interested in a collab!)

– Do at least 5 sponsored posts

– Get more visits, visitors, likes and comments than last year

– Get tags and categories even more clear

– Update Instagram around 5-10 times a week

– Be more active on LinkedIn and keep it up to date

– Leave more comments into blogs and Instagram

 

 

How I’ve done so far?

 

I’ve done 3 sponsored posts (Passio, Juuri, Herra Snellman). But I should definitely focus on those quest posts from now on. What I have done excellently so far is making the blog and it’s categories nice and clean. I’ve also done quite well with my Instagram but I sure am working to improve every day.

 

I’ve been more active than ever with commenting and communicating with others. That has offered me some more readers but there hasn’t been as big change in views and visitors as I wished. However, those have increased so I’m going to the right way.

 

 

5. Be Social

 

 

I promised to…

– Meet friends and do something fun as often as last year

– Enjoy cultural activities every month (theater, ballet, museums, etc)

– Get to know some of my new course mates, and network in general

– Organize something fun with friends at least 1-2 times a month (wine tastings, beach volley, board game nights, etc)

 

 

How I’ve done so far?

 

I’ve seen people, enjoyed a culture and hosted some events. However, from Jan-April I wasn’t as active as last year because I’ve been working and studying every day, in addition, I’ve given a huge amount of hours for improving my social and my photography and editing skills. I think I’ve done great in those but I could focus more on socializing this summer.

 

 

Did you do New Years Resolutions for 2017? How is everything going with those if you did?