my personal goals in 2016

The other days I wrote about my business goals for 2016. Today there'll be the a few words on the personal goals - which could grow into a very long list actually. And that made me think that hey, I got things pretty sorted business wise, I even struggled a bit to come up with 5 of them. But still open to new adventures for growth and inspiration of course! -

My 5 personal goals for 2016 -

• Get back to doing yoga at least 3 times per week
• Meditate for at least 10 minutes every day - I have begun, downloaded an app for it and will explore other ways that suit me.
• Finish one old knitting project every month - too many half finished yarn projects lying around... And yarn/patterns for new ones. I'm just so bad at finishing the projects, but great at starting new ones...
• Travel alone abroad - which of course will be the Schwarzwald trip.
• Give at least 1 compliment to a stranger every week

And here are some bonus things to the 5 goals-list -

• Sign up for a mentor/friend-programme for people new in Sweden - done. But the good news are that there are apparently so many people doing that that there are no slots for interviews/matching until late March/April. And of course for me it's very important that the new friend person I match with one day is vegetarian/vegan and non-religious. Let's see how that goes. 
• Try 1 new recipe per week
• 1 facial + 1 hair pak per week
• Get rid of that darn runny nose
• Give at least 1 bag of things per month to charity shops - I've already done a big box plus 6 bags, so I'm well ahead. Yes, I feel a cleansing year coming!

How about you, do you have any personal 

(or professional) goals for this new year?

the yelp stockholm gold elite 2016

Time flies. It's now 5 years already since Yelp was launched in Stockholm, Sweden. My first client. It's been a fun and interesting ride.

5 years Yelp Elite apparently means you get an extra gold badge to your profile. We are a very small gold Elite group in Stockholm, 14 of us I think, so looking forward to extra special, small events with a golden lining (suitable for vegans and vegetarians who aren't keen on alcoholic beverages, at least a fair amount of the times...) Such fun!

my business goals 2016

Last year someone tweeted 5 business and 5 personal goals of the year to come. I thought it was such a great (and simple) idea I took a screen print for inspiration this year. When I re-read the goals of that tweeter I found that they were really too vague for my liking. I always find that the best goals should be clear, reasonable and measurable. Especially so if you run your own business!

And not fuzzy, if well-meaning, ones like "go outside my comfort zone" and "cook more". Be more specific, what specifically can you do to go outside your comfort zone (I'm guessing swimming with sharks is not necessarily THE thing to opt for) and why not try (at least) 1 new recipe per week?

So here are my 5 professional goals for 2016 -

• get 3 new clients - at least 3 and for both long and short term projects
• take an online course - I have my eyes set on two specific topics that will benefit me and clients, but I have yet to research where and when
• invoice for an average of X amount of money each month - X being a certain non-disclosure sum, which most certainly isn't my long-term goal one but still a neat sum
• hold 4 talks - at least 4 and most likely on social media related topics
• be better at follow up with people/potential clients - a slightly vague goal, I know, but I'm well-aware on how I've failed at this previously so I do know how to not do so from here on

There, I've cared enough to share, surely they will come and surely this will happen! 

Interested in hiring me as a freelancer for communication, copywriting, transcreation and social media management? Please get in touch here - and yes, I do work with both Swedish and foreign clients.

sunday mood

As far as I'm concerned the work-year of 2016 doesn't really start until after twelwth night ie next week. So I'm in no particular hurry to get up out of this position.

But I do have a couple of nice lunches booked for the week. And a (much needed) hairdresser's appointment. Looking forward to that. And more kitty cuddles.

Happy first week of the new year, everybuddy!

first circus nails 2016

True to my goal of 'more circus nails in 2016' these are my last of last year AND my first of this one. 

A bit colour subdued (and season befitting) but still quirky, professional but also out-of-the-box-free-thinking. Well that's at least the look I was aiming for.

From left to right:

Essie - In stitches

Essie - Sew psyched (yes, my mood of the year!)

Essie - Island hopping

Models OWN - Speckled own Swan

Essie - Bordeaux

Next time I'll browse the nail polish collection and create circus nails with polishes that have inspirational mood setting names. That should be fun.

the grüner smoothie

A few years back I kick-started the new year in what I thought was a brilliant way: a long, brisk winter walk (at Djurgården). Turned out that we miscalculated the distance and bridges so what was suppose to be one hour turned into three hours. My muscles were so sore the rest of the week and to be quite honest it rather put me off the idea of regular, brisk walks routine.

This year I started in a kinder, tastier way: a feast on a green smoothie I picked up at Unverpackt in Berlin last summer. Kale, mango and spinach. I've also stocked up  on kale and other greens and I plan to get back on the regular smoothie-and-juice-track. 

And be a better, diligent yoga practioner that doesn't overdo her brisk walkings.

happy new 2016

Looking forward to an exciting new year of personal and professional growth, inspiration and exploration, kindness and fun.

I don't do New Year's promises but I've made a list of 5 personal and 5 professional goals for growth in 2016. 

Also I will wear more circus nails, because life should be more quirky and less predictable.

Happy New Year, 

kind and caring

earthlings,

let's make 2016

a fantastic and compassionate year 

with less tears and more laughter!

the lady in unikko red

On the shivering last days of 2015 I finally found the red Marimekko Unikko umbrella that's been on my wish list for so long. And on sale.

When I got home the umbrella met its two red relatives, the fabulastic dress and the iPhone cover. An obvious case of the more the merrier. And a lovely way to round of the year.

vegan ris á la malta

Ris á la Malta (Rice á la Malta) or creamy rice pudding is my only must at the Christmas table. It's easy to make and the vegan version is delicious. Here's the simple recipe of the classic Swedish Christmas dessert:

Ris á la Malta

4-6 generous servings

porridge rice for 4 servings

6 dl - 1L oat milk

2 tbsp caster sugar

1-3 tsp vanilla sugar

~3 dl whipped soy cream

For serving: 

raspberry jam or tinned mandarine

Boil the rice porridge according to the recipe on the package. Add the caster sugar when it's cooked. Let the porridge cool completely then add the vanilla sugar after taste.

Whip the soy cream fluffy and stir it in the rice porridge. The Ris á la Malta should be of a rather runny consistency.

Serve with jam or fruit of choice. My favourite is raspberry jam, but the classic topping is tinned mandarines.

Let the cats lick the bowls. After you've finished eating.

first snow 2015

December 28 was the day the first snow fell. Let's just put it very mildly and say that this is not the natural way of the world on these latitudes. Global warming did this.

I will now try and enjoy the beauty of it all and the extra light as much as possible (although to be honest I'd much rather go into hibernation and just sleep for a few months). And keeping fingers crossed there will be no nasty ice (good luck with that) and ridiculous un-professional excuses for train delays due to a bit of snow (good luck too).

 

The bobs that are new to snow are in awe of the fluffy winter wonderland.

The cats not so much. In fact they've gone into extra grumpy mode. After leaving some obligatory paw prints.