It’s June already, the year is flying by! Most people set New Year’s resolutions but others live day to day, going wherever life takes them. For me, I’m the latter but that does not mean I don’t have goals and aspirations in life. Over the last 6 months, life has given me a few challenges but the one thing I didn’t lose throughout my trials is the willingness to achieve my goals.

Firstly I want to work to be able to have a life besides paying bills. I think everyone wants that in life, living paycheque to paycheque isn’t all that fun especially when you’re young. Yes, sometimes we have to do that (most of my working life has been that way), but you should still strive for that goal. It could take a lot of sacrifices and a long time but when you get there, it’ll be that more rewarding. I have increased my hours to 27 so I’m on my way to achieving this goal even though it is going to take me a few months or years and a lot of effort.

Next, I want to travel more. I want to experience life and explore while I’m young and have no major responsibilities. Weekend trips are becoming more regular including a little getaway to Queenstown next month and possibly Dunedin in August for the All Blacks game. Little trips keep the soul alive and make you feel like your hard work is being enjoyed. I also want to plan some international trips such as Hawaii and Europe! These will definitely require lots of hours at work and less cafe brunches and coffees. If you have any tips, I’d love to hear them!

I’m the type of person who doesn’t like having ongoing things so I would like to pay off my student loan in the next year. It might be interest free but my view is that the money automatically going there could be going to my account and I much prefer that. I’m halfway which is really good but that’s one of my goals.

Everyone wants their own house and I’m the same, I want to build a house that is fully accessible for me and possibly even give me a little bit more freedom. Somewhere to call my own is always a dream of mine and putting hard work and dedication in is something I love when I get to the end result. I could be 50 years old but I’m hoping that with work and being conscious of what I’m spending I’ll get there a bit sooner.

You might think these things all involve a lot of money and money can’t buy you happiness. This is very true and I’m a firm believer in this but to me, it’s about experiences and being able to achieve things people thought you wouldn’t. Having goals, big or small is what keeps us motivated daily to do our best. If we didn’t set goals, life would be pretty boring and flat.

What are your goals for the second half of the year??

About the author:

I am a born and raised young New Zealand Māori woman. I was born with cerebral palsy which affects my muscles but not my mind. I am just like any other young person who has dreams, and aspirations and enjoys having fun. I am in my fourth year at the University of Auckland studying Criminology and Māori Studies with dreams of one day working in the justice system. I have a YouTube channel called Wheely Wacky Adventures where my friend Leah and I share videos of our adventures such as skydiving and bungy jumping just to name a couple. I am full of life and ready to take on what comes for me.