How I'm Going to Show Up More in 2017

Happy (belated) New Year!

I really wished my first post for the new year could of been more about my vision and where I'm headed in 2017.  While everyone seems to have been able to buckle down and narrow in goals for 2017, I on the other hand, can't seem to figure it out!  I mean, how are you suppose to know how to get "there" when you don't even know what the "there" is.

When I turned 30 back in October, an incredible feeling of wanting to be "there" already, or at least knowing where I'm headed, came rushing over me.  I was really excited because I felt like 30 was going to be THE year.

And then, I felt discouraged.  Because as much as I thought about it over and over, I didn't have a concrete vision, like you're told to have. For the past few weeks, I've been beating myself up for this.  Time and time again, you're told to have a vision, create your to-do lists & SMART goals, and then ta-da, you've achieved a milestone! 

Then I realized, therein lies the problem to my current unmotivated and uninspired self.  I was focusing way too much on what my to-do list was going to be, and stopped doing more of what I love.  

I did what I always do, overthink and not enough doing.  Is that just me?

Then I said, F the SMART goals and to-do lists.  It's okay to not have detailed goals... It's going to be okay, Hikari *deep breath*   

Instead, I'm focusing on what brings me JOY and enJOY the process of finding my full potential self.

Let me share what I plan to do more of, below!

1.  Adventure

I've always been the type to want to stay in and not go out much.  I didn't care too much about exploring and finding new places.  I was just comfortable and I was completely fine with that.  But once I started freelancing, I was forced to find different ways to get myself out there.  Which also forced me to explore what's actually out there.  So I started traveling.  I went to Europe this past September, specifically to content create and work on a few projects with my travel sis, Lara Lam (check out her work, amazing!).  When I came back, there were 2 things I realized. One was, I love traveling, and that I needed to do more of it.  And the other is, I felt like I didn't know myself again.  It's not as depressing as it sounds, I swear!  But it was this feeling like... I can be MORE than who I am, and I'm meant to go find it.  What was interesting about this epiphany is that, it had nothing to do with my work, which is hair/makeup.  I defined myself as a hair/makeup artist.  But you can't let work define who you are.  That's not all I am.  That's not to say, I'm quitting, I'll still be doing hair/makeup, but I'll be doing more of other things too.  So this year, I'm giving myself permission to veer off from my craft of hair/makeup and explore.  Adventure by traveling to different places and adventure by exploring new things about myself.

2.  Document

I want to get better about documenting what I do and the places I go.  Last year, I picked up an actual camera (I'm not a professional by any means!) and have been bringing it around with me when I can.   Although you can't beat the ease of use of an iphone, it doesn't beat the photo quality of an actual camera.  I get some people asking me what I use on my instagram.  Most of my photos are from my iphone and Sony A6000.  I always edit them on my phone using different apps (this could be another post!) because I'm always on the go.  Editing makes any photo that much better, whether it's from an iphone or a camera!

Another aspect of documenting is actual blogging.  Up until the point, I've been focusing on Instagram (which is still my favorite social medial platform!), but haven't stayed consistent with blogging.  Taking photos is one thing, but posting on social media platforms and blogging takes a lot of time, planning, and commitment.  I want to work on being more consistent and figure out a workflow that works best for me. 

3.  Care Less

This is going to be a challenge because it has to do with character and personality.  Changing your mindset is the hardest thing to do.  But I know this one's good for ME because I tend to overthink and care way too much when it comes to my work.  (If you're the type to NOT care as much, it's probably better if you care MORE :p but that's besides the point)  More specifically, in this world of content creators, I've been caring way too much if what I do looks and sounds perfect. I always think too much into.... "Does this look good on my feed?" "Does this have to do with my brand?" " Does this fit my aesthetic?" "I haven't figured out how to do this yet!"- the list goes on.  Overanalyzing and over strategizing, no more. While I think it's really important to care about these things, if you find yourself not putting your work out there because you're overthinking it, it's time to stop thinking too much, and just do it.  Again, doing and starting is better than nothing.  You gotta care less about what you look like or how people might see you.  The important part is, showing up.  

 

And that's how I'm going to show up in 2017.

The more I adventure, document, care less about what other people think, and do more of what I love, I'm actually going to create more and enjoy the process.  I don't know if anyone else is in the same boat, but if you're feeling this way, you're not alone.

Here we go, 2017!