June is the official month to the start of Summer and probably like most humans, I make a mental (or physical) list of things I want to do, try out, accomplish, experience blah blah blah. But here’s the thing about goals: they’re not always as reasonable to accomplish. Like “Go on a trip to Australia” is probably not something I will cross off in the next 3 months (or year).

Instead, I made a list of things I tell myself or think about often that I want to actually make happen. From personal goals on bettering myself to random things I’ve always wanted to try in my own backyard (aka NYC). Although these are goals skewed to fit my lifestyle, there are definitely things everyone can benefit from if they’re looking for a personal summer project too!

TAKE MORE PICTURES WITH MY FRIENDS

This is probably more of an issue for myself because it’s my job to take pictures of my everyday life. However once the weekend hits, I’m so about not being on my phone when I’m out with my friends because I want to be “in the moment.”

Although this is a great way to feel like a normal, social person, I’ve also realized I lack a serious amount of posed pictures with my friends. I know I’ll look back one day and wish I had a picture to remember “that time in my twenties” so this is something I would want to get better about capturing.

EMBRACE THE TOURISM EXPERIENCE OF MY CITY

Not a lot of New Yorkers actually take advantage of the MANY reasons why people decide to visit a city. Until last year, I didn’t visit Ground Zero (for several personal reasons) and just this year, I went to the top of the Empire State Building (that’s literally a stones throw away from my apartment..)

I would like to visit the Statue of Liberty, see the Fearless Girl before she gets taken down for stupid reasons..unless she’s already gone, and sign up for the Trapeze School at Chelsea Piers – ever since that Sex & The City episode, it’s been a dream to fly with the greatest of ease.

LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF TIMES I STRAIGHTEN MY HAIR

Not saying I’m quitting altogether because I do love my hair straight but for the sake of my hair’s health, I’m hanging up the straightener and limiting myself to 2x a month. To keep myself from caving, I’ll purposely keep my straightener in NYC when I go home to NJ on the weekends.

And yes, I know beach waves are cute and pretty…but only for the people who look flawless in their natural hair state. Mine is a frizzy mess…and sometimes ironing it down smoothes it out. If anyone has suggestions on products I can use to reduce the frizz that DOESN’T make my hair sticky, please help a sista out!

BALANCE FOOD HABITS WITH WORKOUT ROUTINE

Confession: I’m one of those people that mentally think if I workout x amount of time, I deserve a personal pizza all to myself. The problem with this logic is that I apply this to my daily dinner choices. Although it appears like I don’t gain a pound (which I do…in my ass & mother-bearing pouch ALL women have) I’ve noticed how sluggish and often lethargic I feel despite my workout routine.

Eating goes hand-in-hand with fitness, and I want to get better about the things I choose to put into my body when I’m too lazy to cook. My body is my vehicle and the only set of wheels I’ll have in my lifetime; it’s time to treat it with the highest quality in fuel.

DECLUTTER MY CLOSET, THEN SHOP WITH PURPOSE

I’m guilty of being one of those people that hoards most of my clothing because I convince myself I’ll get use/wear out of it at some point. REALITY: YA DON’T END UP WEARING IT. So I’ve decluttered my closet multiple times but only realize I fill the gaps of clothing I get rid of with similar, cheap replacements…

So the goal is to 1) Declutter and set aside EVERYTHING I don’t remember wearing recently, 2) Out of that assortment, select the pieces I still love/want to keep, 3) Take that third pile of “loved clothes” and ask myself WHY…then I’ll probably come to the realization I’m holding onto it for sentimental reasons (like most hoarders do) and feel better about getting rid of it.

After the closet decluttering, I’ll make a list of items I noticed I would benefit owning – like a pair of solid black booties that fit me…shocker but yes, those do not exist in my closet. If I have this list in mind the next time I shop, I’ll become better about spending my money and filling my closet with more quality items that I’ll get many more years and times of wear with.

WHAT ARE YOUR SIMPLE SUMMER GOALS!?

PLEASE COMMENT BELOW – I WOULD LOVE TO GET SOME MORE IDEAS!

FOREVER 21 BLOUSE | MADEWELL JEANS | SAM EDELMAN LOAFERS | COACH BAG – SIMILAR