[ side note! you guys go back to this post and leave you questions for me! Don’t hate – participate 🙂 — also don’t be shy, you could win yourself a giftcard to starbucks just for asking a silly question! ]
Goals. Goals. Goals.
Blah. Blah. Blah.
Really, that is exactly how I use to feel about them. Every goal I have mentally set for myself I manage to fall short.
Graduate College.
OR….
Hate community college and decide Cosmetology school is next best.
Get married, buy a house, have babies….
OR in real life …
Have a baby, get married, buy a house.
Maintain a stress-free life.
OR.
End up with anxiety from juggling too much.
Let my husband believe girls do not pass gas.
OR.
Occasionally let it slip.
You see? Sometimes things do not go as planned.
I think it is time for a change. I can handle when things don’t work out as I envisioned them too, really, I can. But I think it is time to stop assuming things will not go as planned and set some goals. Reach for the stars, if you will.
Because at the end of the day, whether it all works out the way I plan or not, I still want to know that I tried –
Like all of my goals above, the things that did not happen the way I thought they would, I still am proud of who I am and where I am in this stage of life.
So – here we go! This post is all about my BLOG GOALS for 2015.
A few things that I should mention first.
The Thome Home is a big slice of our lives that years ago I thought would be fun to share with family and a few friends. Literally, my mom, siblings, Aunts – ya know. Slowly but surely over the past year our blog has taken a more professional path in hopes of developing relationships with businesses and collaborate with companies. Whether or not we earn $$ at first … we hope to eventually streaming in some income to supplement the time and $$ we put into this space.
I have to thank you guys, my readers, practically my family. To think this blog started with very little views a week (literally like 40) which has now hit thousands – we are humbled and completely shocked you guys care to check in on our not so perfect life. We adore each and every one of you, and hope you guys continue to grow with us from here on out!
I have been writing this post on and off for weeks now. Even had SO many discussions about changing the name of our blog with Dan. Our last name “Thome” is always mispronounced … so I wanted to switch it to something that wraps everything I want to deliver from this blog into a few sweet words. Not sure what to do …. keep it or change it?
Blog Goals 2015
Make Money.
You may think seeing all of these collaborations that were raking in the cash. Nope. Nada. SO – it would be nice to eventually build up our sponsors so we can afford to keep the design half of our blog going! As a stay at home mother the only dough I bring into our lives is cookie dough. It would be a dream come true to somehow take all of my dreams and make them a reality and make a living from it. I’m sure the mister wouldn’t hate a little weight off of his shoulders as well.
Continue to be REAL.
Keep it as is. Always strive to do better and be better, but stay true to who we are. For those that read this blog on a regular basis, know that not only do I over share, but I share things that most people would never want anyone else to know. Writing has always been therapeutic for me. Ever since elementary school I wrote plays, stories, and dove head first into constantly jotting down my ideas and thoughts. My blog is meant to be just that. An extension of my thoughts, for all to read. To connect to, to relate to, and for myself to grow from.
Collaborate.
I cannot tell you how many emails I have sent out in hopes of collaborating with companies. Whether it be for product reviews, or to do a giveaway, or simple write about them through sponsoring us. SO many of those emails resulting in a big. fat. but sweet NO. It’s all about the numbers a lot of the time. Bloggers who have a HUGE fan base and I mean tens of thousands of hits every hour or day. Intimidated time and time again I knew I wasn’t a big blogger, nor had the $$ to back up fancy house posts. But, then, lucky me, some companies read my content and like what I had to offer. I cannot thank those companies enough — seriously, I am honored and ecstatic about the amazing relationships I have formed in 2014.
There are SO many brands I dream of collaborating with – so I would love to have a few more to keep us busy in 2015. We have a few lined up these next few months that I am thrilled about. I love working with businesses small and big. Ones that have a story to what they stand behind – that started with intentions and dreams and so admiringly so turned it into something a dream come true.
Make MOVIES.
I love the camera – in a sense. There is something about pictures that is so awkward to me. But I love making videos. Not serious ones of course – but I would love to showcase recipes + home stuff via video. So I will start to do videos for you answering questions … showing snippets of our lives that I know you’ll all be entertained by. Maybe a dance off? Fair warning — I’m a bit of an odd ball and foul sense of humor. If you couldn’t tell through my writing already, you’ve been warned.
Post Often.
I love posting frequently. At times it does get tough to have things to share (sometimes things are so boring around here) But- posting often pushes us into doing more, resulting in accomplishing more! It challenges me to do more DIY projects on a very tight budget, which I know others love to learn about as well!
Challenge Myself.
In every aspect. Whether it be a project I am terrified to do. OR Write about something that seems difficult to share. This bloggin’ thing was never started in hopes of reaching out to people … and over the years I have met people and read emails from you guys and I am running on the sheer love and joy from it all. I know the majority of those who have reached out were touched by honesty. The transparency I provide in my posts. While at times it is a hard to type the words and put it out into the universe, it is so gratifying knowing you can relate.
Grow.
I do not know how this will happen .. I know it will not happen overnight. But I love our blog. And I feel so blessed to have the opportunities come to us that have already. I hope to keep growing this little slice of internet. I want to grow this space, connect with you guys more, and develop relationships that inspire and drive us more to be better, and do better. Connect with others – inspire – and learn from this community of bloggers and readers. Not only do I want this blog to grow, I hope that I will continue to evolve and grow as well. Always for the better!
XoXo Abby