What can I do in 6 months if I just stay consistent?
It's 2023 and, while full of bruises and scars, I’ve managed to make it out of the brokest year of my entire 40-year life. And I’m optimistic that all of the seeds I planted in 2022 will bear fruit in this Jordan year. So I ask myself, what can I do if I stay consistent for the next six months? Consistent in the gym. Consistent in my design career. Consistent with things that bring me joy. If I just focus, put in effort every day whether big or small and stay on the path I mapped out for myself, where will I end up? I didn’t have the luxury of lofty goal-setting last year. It's hard to steady yourself in focusing on goals when you’re depressed because so much of your energy goes to increasing your will to live. I entered 2022 with barely a survival instinct and only set the goal of being a better Marvel fan (which I consider myself successful in reaching). But this year, my feet are on more solid ground, so I’m going for the gold. Here’s where my focus is:
Build my design career
Last year, I got my Google Certification in UX Design and started working on my portfolio. This year, I want to go all in on this new career path while sharpening the design skills that I believe I can really excel at. I've determined that research might be my superpower, and I want a career that highlights this area of expertise. So my goal: Become the best UX researcher I can be, and start freelancing in UX while searching for and securing a full-time job
Music as a hobby
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to sing. When I was five, I sang my first solo at church and wrote my first song when I was thirteen. After two decades as a full-time musician, I decided to retire from it. But now? This year is dedicated to revitalizing music for me as an enjoyable hobby-- something that sparks joy in life amidst the hustle of modern capitalism. TikTok is an amazing platform to test ideas, interact with an audience, and express myself creatively. So my goal: write and share songs on Tik Tok, and do at least 1 live performance this year.
Exploring other creative outlets
When I was a senior in high school I took a film class and enjoyed it so much that I sent for brochures from New York Film Academy, with support from my dad who was prepared to send me to film school. But ultimately, music won the battle of my heart and I went to a music school instead. Although I never had the opportunity to develop my curiosity for filmmaking, I also have never let go of the itch for it. And the desire to create films is always sparked whenever I watch sapphic media. I've seen just about everything wlw that’s out there because, as a lesbian, it’s what you do. But there are times as I'm enjoying lesbian films and shows when I wish there were more and better-made media for us. I ask myself: what if I finally did it? What if I stopped wishing for better representation and started telling the stories I wanted to see? So my goal: finally FINALLY go to NYFA to learn the art of filmmaking.
Personal Flyness
Career and hobbies are important, but so is having a fulfilling personal life. And fortunately, this is an area I already excel. I have an amazing group of friends which creates a bustling social life, and I have the dopest girlfriend with whom I love spending time. But even with a great personal life already in place, there are some improvements I want to make that will really make me feel like I’m living up to my best Elder Millennial life. So my goal: improve my overall look by increasing my fashion sense and building my wardrobe, so I can look the flyest I've ever looked every time I step out.
Conclusion
I wonder what my life will look like 6 months from now or 1 year from now. I can see it clearly in my mind but I wonder if the vision will match the reality. It's strange to think about all the ways my life could change in just a few months. So much can happen in such a short amount of time. I can imagine all sorts of scenarios, but it's hard to say which one will actually play out. Part of me is excited for all the potential new experiences and adventures that could be coming my way. But another part of me is nervous about the Unknown. What if things don't work out the way I'm hoping? I guess there's only one way to find out. I'll just have to wait and see to answer the question: What can I do in 6 months if I just stay consistent?