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2024 Mid-Year Life Update - Goals, Habits, and More



Today I am doing a mid-year life update for 2024. 


Although I missed doing this post last year, I did manage to share one in 2020, 2021, and 2022 if you're interested in checking those out.


This mid-year life update is a great opportunity to reflect on everything that has unfolded so far this year, from personal highlights and small victories to progress updates across various aspects of my life. It's also a chance to reassess my goals and priorities for the remaining months of 2024. 


Let's begin. 


2024 Highlights and Wins so far


This year has been a whirlwind of amazing experiences! I can’t be anything but grateful 


For the first six months of 2024, here are what I’m most proud of:


  • I spent the holidays in the province for both Christmas and New Year. We went by car, so it was another long ride with my eldest sister. We traveled together with my other sister and my niece, Baby AJ, so I was happy that my parents were able to see their granddaughter after a long time.
  • I received a holiday PR package from Dazzle Me Cosmetics. It was an advent calendar, a first for me.  I'm not often approached by brands for PR packages, so I am truly appreciative of Dazzle Me Cosmetics. This isn't the first time they've generously gifted me; in the past, they also gave me Php 2000 worth of makeup.
  • I had the honor of being the maid of honor at my cousin Shan's wedding. It was an unforgettable experience to witness my closest cousin tying the knot with the love of her life. Additionally, both my parents were in Manila at the time to serve as godparents (Ninong and Ninang). We were able to bond a lot during their visit. I've vlogged about this and you can watch it HERE.
  • I had the incredible opportunity to watch Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour in Singapore! It's still sinking in, and I'm so thankful for this unforgettable experience. My best friend Nica and her sister accompanied me, and apart from the amazing concert, we also got to explore Singapore, which was a first for all of us. Additionally, we had a long layover in Malaysia. 
 

  • I had a wonderful time at Liwliwa Beach in Zambales with my eldest sister and the doggos. The beach was calm and stunning. Despite the intense heat, we had a fantastic time playing with the dogs on the beach and soaking up the sun.
  • I had an amazing time during the 3-day, 2-night Shangri-La staycation provided by our company. It was my first experience staying in a 5-star hotel, and it coincided with the visit of our bosses from Arizona to Manila. We had a great time bonding, enjoying karaoke, and even attending a Gatsby-inspired gala where I was honored to be awarded Female Star of the Night. The company also generously provided us with lots of freebies, making the experience even more memorable.

  • I have been reading books and I'm making progress towards my goal of finishing 24 books by the end of 2024. So far, I have read 6 books, which is already more than I read last year. Despite being a few books behind schedule, I believe I will surpass last year's total and I hope I reach my goal.
  • I had a great trip to Laguna with my sisters. We stayed overnight at Camp Wiggles in Pansol, Laguna, where we had a relaxing and restful time. Afterward, we visited Lucban, Quezon Province, and enjoyed tasting some delicious Lucban longganisa and pancit hab-hab.
  • I received an invitation to Cha-Ching’s One Million event at the Marco Polo hotel. It marked my first blog event this year, and I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to connect with fellow personal finance bloggers. 

  • I met with my ex-colleagues at my previous work for a quick catch up about life and work. 
  • I went on a 10-day vacation to our province to attend my youngest sister's college graduation. While there, we also took the opportunity to explore the beautiful sights of Cebu.

Areas of My Life and 2024 Goals Update


In my 2024 Notion Tour video, I discussed my 2024 goals across different areas of my life:


- Spiritual/Faith

- Personal Development

- Financial

- Health and Fitness

- Blog and Business

- Relationship

- Work/Career



Here are some mid-year updates on each of these areas and the goals I've set.

Spiritual/Faith


My primary objective is to read the entire Bible. Although I have already read the New Testament, I am eager to embark on a journey through the Old Testament. Additionally, I aim to uphold a daily devotion and spend quality quiet time with God.


I must admit that I struggled to maintain these goals. Fortunately, I acquired a new Bible last May, which has proven to be very helpful as it includes a commentary. Participating in our church's Mid-Year Prayer and Fasting has been instrumental in rekindling my commitment to prayer and fostering a more intentional relationship with the Lord. I am hopeful for a spiritual revival in the coming months.


Related read - How to Grow Spiritually


Personal Development


I set a goal to finish 24 books this year, and I'm happy to report that I've already completed six. This is a significant achievement, considering it's only halfway through the year. I've particularly enjoyed reading "The Stranger in the Life Boat" and "The Talented Mr. Ripley". In addition to reading, I'm still focused on establishing consistent routines such as journaling, devotion, skincare, and regular exercise or movement.


Read next - 23 Self Care Ideas You Can Try


Financial


Ever since I started my current job, my overall finances have been good. Working from home has nearly tripled my earnings compared to my previous job. Despite this, I've noticed that I'm spending more and feeling like there's more room to spend now. I tend to spend on experiences such as travel and concerts. I acknowledge that I can improve my financial management, and I'm determined to do so in the latter half of 2024.

Health and Fitness 

I haven't been very focused on health and fitness, but as I'm in my 30s now, I understand the importance of paying more attention to this area. I haven't been able to consistently meet my goals, such as incorporating some form of daily movement like a 15-minute workout and hitting 5,000 steps each day. However, I'm looking forward to making some positive changes for the next half of the year.

Blog and Business


Since 2022, I have not been that involved in blogging due to my graveyard shift work. It makes it challenging to establish a routine and dedicate time to blogging. However, I genuinely miss it, and I am delighted that I have managed to release some new posts recently. My aim is to increase the frequency of my posts and establish a structured approach to creating social media content. 


I'm happy with my progress on YouTube. I've consistently posted at least two videos every month since February, and it's been going really well.


Relationship


I'm thrilled to be able to spend more quality time with my family. From visiting my parents and spending time with my eldest sister and her dogs, to catching up with my other sister's family and my brother's family, it's been truly wonderful. For the first time, we were able to treat our parents to a trip in Cebu.


Additionally, I've had the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and meet my current workmates. It's been a great balance of family time and social connections.


Work


I feel incredibly grateful and privileged for the work I have. I am fortunate to have a job that allows me to do what I love while being fairly compensated for it. Although some days can be quite busy, I understand that it comes with any work anyway. 


What I Want to Achieve for the Rest of 2024 


With only 6 months left until the end of 2024, there's a sense of urgency to make the most of this time. I feel a strong desire to accomplish all that I've set out to do and take on new challenges before the year concludes. The remaining months provide an opportunity to pursue my goals with renewed focus and determination. 

Here are the things I plan to focus on:

  • Read 24 books. I am determined to read 24 books, even though I know I'm currently behind my goal. I don't want to adjust my goal because I still believe I can accomplish it. I've been dedicating at least 30 minutes a day to reading, and I'm hopeful that I can surpass the number of books I read last year.

  • Publish more blog posts. I aim to exceed my past two years' blog post count when I was absent from the scene. In 2022, I published 11 posts, marking a decline in my blogging frequency. My primary objective is to gain momentum and strive to double the number of posts I produce and publish.

  • Get back to social media contents. I want to become more active on social media. I need to revamp my social media presence and establish a consistent routine for posting new content.

  • Upload YouTube videos consistently. Currently, I aim to release 2-3 videos a month, but I plan to gradually increase the frequency in the coming months to make my schedule more manageable. After receiving a high number of pageviews on my YouTube video about personal finance, I've decided to focus on creating more content in that niche.

  • Get active. I want to be more active and prioritize my health and fitness goals. My aim is to engage in some form of physical activity every day, whether it's going for long walks, runs, or engaging in high-intensity interval training (HIIT).

  • Focus on good habits and routines. I have identified six key habits that I want to prioritize: journal, devotion, reading, exercise or movement, skincare, and supplement. By focusing on these habits, I aim to cultivate a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle that prioritizes my physical, mental, and emotional health.


Overall


I have high hopes for the rest of 2024. I am determined to fully commit and make significant progress toward accomplishing my goals for the rest of the year.


I hope you are all doing well and thank you for reading this post. 


Have you done your mid-year reset?




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