rosie abigail

I have to say, waking up to a miserable and foggy morning whilst you have a chest infection and asthma flare up is certainly made better by a notification from WordPress. “What notification?” you may ask. Alright you nosy lot – I’ve hit 500 followers on my blog! 

If you read my post on my goals for 2022 (a.k.a No Year’s Resolutions), then you’ll know that I’ve dedicated myself to spending more time on the blog and everything that comes with it. So, I got every coloured pen I could find and got to mind-mapping and goal setting. I’ll be honest, if your productivity doesn’t involve pens or notebooks, I’m not sure we can be friends – but that’s neither here nor there. What I was left with was a list of blog related goals that I want to achieve, that I want to work towards, that I want to manifest into existence. A blogger bucket list, if you will. Now, these goals are reaching BUT realistic. I’m not aiming for a swimsuit shoot out in Dubai anytime soon (I’ll save that for next year, when I have a fast-fashion empire and no longer write about positive living, sustainability, or chronic illness). So, what’s on this blogger bucket list of mine?

1. Stick to a schedule

I’m starting out with a small but achievable task of sticking to a schedule. I am a creative type but my brain yearns for organisation. So to meet in the middle, and to make the most out of the business side of things, I will post to a schedule. I don’t want to feel like I’m posting because I have to and having rigidity zap away my creativity. But I also don’t want to go weeks without posting, and then end up posting nine times over three days in a creative frenzy. Let’s schedule it out, baby. 

2. Book a photoshoot

I need a bit of spice in my life. In my headshot life that is. My physical confidence tends to ebb and flow, which means I only have a set few images of myself that I use for professional outings or on the blog. So I want to bite the bullet and book a photography session! I’d get some headshots and branding friendly photos of little old me and make the venture into some street-style-esque shots. To push the boat out on the bucket list item even more, I would love to book Kaye Ford from Fordtography. I’ve followed her for years and she is just incredible. The work she and Stephanie Yeboah or Helen Anderson make together? *chef’s kiss* Maybe when that first blog check arrives, huh?

3. Get invited to a blogger event

Technically, this one has already happened – well, twice now! Both events were with the Winchester branch of The Body Shop but alas, were in peak COVID times. There was minimal mingling, only brief chats about the products, and not really an opportunity to get-to-know other bloggers or find out more about the brand. However, they have said they will be running full, closed door events when they can, and this is what I am excited for! For me, it will always be important to work with people and businesses that I admire and that I share the same ethos with. So, if you are out there and listening, The Body Shop, Lush, Joanie, and Unfolded, hit me up.

4. Have my own book club

But of course, this blog started as a book blog! My love of literature is still there and will never leave, it’s just being absorbed by life and my Masters in Literature. Simply put, I feel that I am lacking the motivation to pick up a book. I’ve felt like this for a few years and know how good reading makes me feel. So I’d love to start my own book club! A place online where like-minded people can bolster each other to read books that we would like to read! Books that cover important topics, that have changed the world, that are examples of genres, new classics, old classics. If my studies have taught me one thing, talking about a book you and others have read makes it all the more special.

5. Start filming

This is the task that makes me do a nervous gulp. I love watching other people’s content; from lifestyle to travel, on TikTok, Reels, or YouTube. This love has made me want to turn my hand to it. Now, I am getting into the world of posting TikToks and Reels after months of lurking. The next step is to talk more on Stories and stop hiding my face! And the biggest step, when life gets interesting and I get more confident? I’d love to delve into YouTube…

6. Blogger travel trip

At this moment in time, I am not reaching out for a paid trip to the Maldives or Florida (although I am going to Florida in November and don’t have my Universal tickets yet. So Attraction Tickets Direct, please feel free to slide in my DMs…) But I love to travel and I love writing about it! It’s just been tricky to do in this COVID world. In 2021, I only managed to get to and write about a week away in Cornwall. But, I am putting it out there to the universe – I will go on a bloggers travel trip! Whether that be to a Hampshire AirBnB to review or an overnight stay in London, let it be heard that Rosie Abigail is ready and at your service. 

7. Get confident in myself

Do you think delving into personal fear and physical confidence is a bit too deep for a bucket list? Nah, I don’t think so! Whilst it is out of my comfort zone, taking photos of yourself is a natural and necessary part of the blogging world, so I better get used to it. More than that, I want to start feeling confident when I take photos of myself. I always find a nervous build up in the air and knots in my stomach when I set up my tripod, even if it’s just me alone in the house, taking photos of facial moisturiser. Let the confidence in, Rosie, come on. 

8. Weekly newsletter

Compared to the others on this list, this is actually a newer idea – one that is inspired by Hannah Witton’s own newsletter. I already have some email followers, so I’d love to streamline that process. Instead of getting emails three times a week when I post, I love the idea of a weekly newsletter with links to my posts of that week, complete with personalised newsletter content. Journal prompts for us to share, updates on projects, a space to communicate. A weekly email, sent to your account, that brings you a drop of positivity. I like the sound of that.

9. Starting a creative network

Now this is a physical project I have wanted to do for years, and I mean years. This has been on my radar since 2017 and still plagues my dreams (in a good way, of course). I would love to create a local network of creative people. We’d meet up a few times a month to talk about projects, get advice, share ideas, and surround ourselves with people in similar positions. There would be sessions where we could each share our skills, so you could learn about the basics of SEO or photography or copywriting – skills that all modern-day creative folks need nowadays. We would make contacts and friends, and have a support group outside of the internet, closer to home. Let’s no longer make this just a dream. 

10. Part-time work

The final point on this list is probably the most life-changing on this list. I’ve started to earn ad-sense from this blog and that has been such a huge step for me. But now? I want it to be more than a hobby. I want it to be a part of my job. Friends, I want to pay taxes on it, this is what I want! I want to go from hobby blogger to side-hustling to part-time blogger. Phew, that’s the first time I’ve ever said that out loud and that feels good. This lends the question, why? It’s certainly not because of the money. It’s because I love it. It fills my creative cup and makes me feel like I am making a positive change. And that’s all I want from life.

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So these goals are now down on paper (well, down on screen). I’m going to work towards them, help manifest it, and make them a reality. I can look back on this blogger bucket list when things are getting busy or tiresome and remember “ahh, this is what I want to achieve, this is why I do what I do”. Setting goals is something we all need to do every now and then to keep ourselves on track. If you haven’t done it in a while, sit yourself down with colourful pens, big sheets of paper, and a cup of tea. Write down what you want to achieve – keeping it realistic of course. Let it clear your mind. Goals are good for the soul.

My fellow writers, bloggers, creative business owners; why don’t you create your bucket list? Think of this as a tag for anyone out there to write a post about you bucket list for your business or blog! And to my lovely readers – tell me, what three things are on the top of your bucket list? It doesn’t have to be work and creative-based. Just three things you want to do in your beautiful lives. Let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading.

Rosie x

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