30 before 30 : Life - The Results

1. Travel Internationally: There's definitely a long list of places I want to visit throughout the world but these are my top destinations of the minute. Prague / Sweden / Thailand / Iceland (So this year was pretty bad for travel, as in I just didn't do it, at all. I have Slovenia booked for next year for my cousin's wedding, so it's already going to be a better travel year). 

2. Visit Scotland: So close yet so far. It's crazy to live in England and never have visited Scotland. (Nope, just nope).

3. Commit to regular exercise: And Yoga I choose you. All about strength and relaxation. I want a form of exercise that I will do each week, no getting sick of it and no flaking out. (This has been a little on and off, some months it's great but over the winter I've definitely been a little lax - I'm still hoping to turn this around)

4. Read all the unread graphic novels I own. I have a little stack of ones I haven't read yet and I would like to get that number down to zero before I am 30. (I didn't make it down to zero, but I did reduce the amount purchased this year. :)).

5. Learn to cook more recipes. It's no secret that I'm not a very good cook. I don't love it but I would like to feel more confident in the kitchen. (I've definitely cooked more this year, and different dishes too - whoop!).

6. Listen to more autobiographies. Last year I read a few and absolutely loved them all, especially when read by the authors/ celebrities/ comedians themselves. (I've listened to quite a few this year, and from different kinds of celebrities and comedians).

7. Get a car. This is still a tbc one. I do feel I should have one for visiting people more, and travelling to further places. But for my day to day I wouldn't use a car. (Sorry past me I didn't get a car, and like I said I really don't need one right now). 

8. Write more. I would like to post regularly to a schedule on my blog and social media, focusing less on just the photos or artwork I post. I have to add some background and personality to my pieces. (I've improved on my social posts, but for the life of me I can't keep a regular schedule on my blog. Make sure to follow me on instagram if you want up to date posts). ( @harrietalicefox )

9. Stop biting my nails. Easy Peasy or so you would think! (I'm not really doing very well at not biting my nails... I totally bite them all the time). 

10. Go to the theatre more - plays and musicals. Pretty self explanatory, I just don't use this source of media entertainment enough. (Yes, this year I saw; The Wedding Singer, Legally Blonde, The Little Mermaid Ballet and I have tickets for Cats). 

11. Organise my personal and illustration life. At work I am extremely organised and focused in the moment, but at home I am forgetful, I push things back. I would like to bring some of work Harriet's good qualities home with me. (I think I've improved as I am currently posting everyday on instagram, but there's still a way to go).

12. Read all my art / illustration books. Towards the end of last year I went on a spree of buying books about being an illustrator. I would like to put these to good use and read through them. (Not great on this one either - I still have a stack to be read - I'll get through them one day).

13. Go to the Cinema alone. (Yes done, multiple times. I actually quite like it).

14. Get a Pen Pal. The beauty of sending and receiving letters snail mail, these days everything is within reach and can be sent in an instant. (Sort of yes - My Nan and I have been sending letters back and forth, it's a great way to keep in touch with her as I don't get to see her that often).

15. Focus on and be positive about my Health. Exercise, Diet and regular check ups, just commit to looking after myself. (Meh - I've done ok but I could definitely exercise & diet more).

16. Practise more Photography. I have a snazzy camera and yet my favourite feature is the Auto button. (I'm getting better and I would like to continue to learn more).

17. Complete or even exceed my Good Reads Goal. This year I have set it to 30 books, an achievable goal. (Yay - I did this, 36 books during 2017).

18. Work on more illustrations and commissions. More work, less procrastination. (Yes, I've definitely spent more time on my artwork this year - this is great!).

19. Work on expressing my anger. I find it really hard to express myself sometimes, so when I'm mad or upset I will often rather say I'm fine and swallow my feelings than express them. This is definitely not healthy and something I need to work on. (I'm not a person to flip the desk, and nor do I want to be, but I have gotten better at expressing when things bother me, and not just accepting other people's bad behaviour).

20. Comedy shows. I love them so much, I need to go to more. (I didn't go to any).

21. Regularly donate to a charity. (Yes - I donate to cancer research each month).

22. Complete my 30 before 30 Movie challenge. (Sort of, I actually watched 22 out of 30).

23. Save more money or spend it wisely. What little disposable income I have I would like to either save it or spend it on better things, not just throw away items or stuff I'm not really bothered about. (I could be better at this, but I have improved, and still hoping to improve next year).

24. Visit a Spa (Yes. I've been a few times now, and oh my gosh I was missing out!).

25. Scrapbook more. The last two big holidays I've had - Japan and California - I have created scrap books for and really enjoyed making them. I would like to do this on a more regular basis. (I didn't do any scrap-booking of my own, but I did a lot for my sister. She got married and went on her honeymoon this year so wanted a scrapbook to remember everything, we ended up working on it together).

26. Go to an art or craft class. (I didn't go to any classes but I did attend online classes through skillshare. Skillshare is a great service and definitely worth a try via the free trial).

27. Do more Art videos and teach myself how to edit (This year I only created a couple of videos... so not great but it could have been worse! I would like to do more and learn more about editing). 

28. Buy less cheap clothes, spend more on quality pieces. Sorry Primark. (I've definitely bought less this year but not avoided Primark completely).

29. See Clean Bandit Live. This will all depend upon when and where the band are playing in the world. But I've got my fingers crossed. (I didn't get to see Clean Bandit Live).

30. Go to Disney. This may be a long shot, I've been lucky enough to go to a Disney park for the last two years. This will all depend upon holidays. (I didn't get to go to Disney :'( ).