As the end of the year draws near, it’s time to assess what we achieved in 2018, and to make plans for 2019. We offer some inspiration that will ensure the following year is one to remember…
Yes, I know it’s only October, but as we move into the final months of the year, many of us are contemplating what we’ll have achieved by the time we’ve said goodbye to 2018… We all start the year with big plans, big ideas and a list of aims and targets as long as our arm, but sometimes – life gets in the way and many of our big ideas get put on the backburner… But not to worry, if you’re looking for some realistic goals to tackle 2019 with then you’ve come to the right place.
Read on for some potential goals you can totally smash in 2019.
Tick off a dream destination
You could go alone, with a friend, with a partner or even take the kids, however why not make 2019 the year you tick off a dream destination? Always wanted to go to North America? Then you could start by searching for hotels overlooking Niagara Falls and then either head south to see the great cities of the US, like New York, Boston, San Fran and Chicago. Or you could revel in the natural beauty of Canada, calling by Vancouver or Toronto. Wherever it is you’ve always wanted to go – make 2019 the year you do it.
Volunteer
Whether it’s at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, your local dog shelter or even at the charity shop in the high street, many of us willingly give to charity; whether that’s clothing, things we don’t want anymore or money, but what a lot of charities need to keep going is volunteers and their free time. Make a point in 2019 of giving a little free time to volunteering and helping those less fortunate than you. If you can do it abroad even better, as you yourself will benefit from the experience of a living in a different culture and making a difference to people’s (or animals’!) lives. There’s some advice for volunteering with refugees here and on the UNHCR site.
Take a city break in a lesser known destination
Paris, Rome, Barcelona!? Great fun, but you’re more likely to spend time queuing up for tourist attractions than experiencing an authentic slice of foreign culture. This coming year why not make a point of travelling somewhere none of your friends have been yet, and seeing a city not yet overwhelmed by mass tourism. A city break in Belgrade, weekend in Timisoara or short stay in Vilnius will be as invigorating as it is entertaining… not to mention impress your friends with your leftfield choices.
Attend a music festival
From the world famous to the obscure and relatively unknown, if you’ve never attended a music festival before then make 2019 the year you change that. And if you are already a regular at Glastonbury or Reading, why not be braver and try heading abroad to festivals like Primavera in Barcelona, Melt in Germany or Sziget in Budapest, combining music with adventure. Enjoying live music outdoors is a wonderful experience – the atmosphere will leave you buzzing for days after it’s ended.
Go see the Northern Lights
Experiencing the Northern Lights is unlike anything you will have seen before. To witness this jaw dropping light show is a once in a life time opportunity and it can only be viewed in a handful of locations – so you could see them whilst your relaxing in an outdoor thermal spa in Iceland, whilst you’re travelling in Alaska or from the back of a dog-pulled sled in Norway, the choice is yours. Just head for the Arctic Circle.