Yes, I am one of those people who like to check in on a yearly basis and attempt to make (somewhat) realistic goals for the coming year.\u00a0 Sometimes I do this on my birthday, sometimes I do it at the start of the year.\u00a0 Anyway, here’s what I am going to try and focus on in 2018.\u00a0 I consider all of these to be of equal importance, so don’t read into the order too much.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
• Consume Less Sugar.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  I’m not going so far as to say I’m a sugar addict, but I will say there is a lot of unnecessary sugar in my diet.\u00a0 I know it’s not good for me.\u00a0 I know it’s contributing to kilos I’m not particularly happy with.\u00a0 I know it’s not helping my long-term health.\u00a0 I think the key is to simply have less sugar available at home.\u00a0 While I’m not going to go Whole30 (nearly impossible when one reviews food), nor am I going to stop drinking altogether, there are better choices I can make both in-house and while dining out.\u00a0 Better snacks.\u00a0 Better drinks.\u00a0 Less fake shit.\u00a0 Repeat.<\/p>\n

  \n
  • Go where I want to.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    I see no reason to justify\u00a0why I want to go to a certain restaurant.\u00a0 If something looks good or a place I might enjoy, I’m going to try and not second guess myself about how it fits with my ‘brand.’\u00a0 If I want to pitch a place because I’m genuinely curious about it, that’s exactly what I’ll do.\u00a0 Honestly, while I would love to subsist on fine dining alone, I think there is a lot to do in support of local cafes and startups (especially in the UAE).\u00a0 Similarly, just because a price point isn’t hundreds of dirhams, does not make a place any less worthy to review.\u00a0 This could also mean saying ‘no’ to more places.\u00a0 I am totally okay with that.<\/p>\n

    \n
    • Pitch.\u00a0 A lot.\u00a0 Specifically in the international realm.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      I go through weeks where I am motivated and do quite well trying to connect with publications, restaurants,\u00a0and properties.\u00a0 I need to upgrade my hustle to be a specific and dedicated part of my week.\u00a0 I already have a long list of places to contact, so it’s time to get down to business and start connecting with\u00a0this group.\u00a0 This includes pitching to restaurants when traveling (something I’ve usually talked myself out of when planning a trip).\u00a0 This also includes getting some hype out there about my favorite UAE chefs.<\/p>\n

      \n
      • Drink Less.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        No, I’m not an alcoholic.\u00a0 Yes, I like to drink socially.\u00a0 Yes, I love a wine pairing (when it’s done well).\u00a0 However, as I get older, I realize tons of empty calories and wasted days are the results of a heavy night out.\u00a0 I’m not trying to harsh anyone’s good time, but easy decisions like driving myself to a venue, or substituting a lot more water into a meal are choices that make sense.\u00a0 Unless I’m ready to buckle down and start really upping my exercise game (spoiler alert: I’m not), booze calories are simply extra calories I don’t need.<\/p>\n

        \n
        • Spend less time caring about the ‘Gram.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Full disclosure, I think Instagram has become a giant fake beast — especially in the UAE, and I’m pretty much over it.\u00a0 Where I once saw a lot of value, I now only see a support tool.\u00a0 The most frustrating thing is that the platform is still a place where PR\/Marketing\/other media types want effort and numbers (no matter what the engagement or how fake the followers).\u00a0 I will never be an Influencer (nor do I want to be).\u00a0 I don’t want to waste my life trying to get people to like me.\u00a0 I need to focus on better content and leave it at that.<\/p>\n

          \n
          • Get<\/strong> Paid.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Y’all, as fun as it’s been getting free meals, I want to start actively contributing to the household.\u00a0 I saw a small uptick in Q4 of this year.\u00a0 I’d really like to see that trend continue.\u00a0 As with my above hustle, it’s time to understand my value in the market and hold firmly to it.<\/p>\n

            \n
            • Surround myself with aspirational, exceptional, and supportive people.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              You know this one, and as I get closer to 38 years on the planet, I understand who I want to make time for and who makes time for me.\u00a0 I know that friendship isn’t always a perfect 50\/50, but the past few months have really shown me who is Team Courtney and who is not.\u00a0 I’m ready for more Team Courtney members in 2018, and won’t apologize for not making time for those who don’t have time for me.<\/p>\n

              \n
              • Be Honest.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                In reviews.\u00a0 With people.\u00a0 Even when it’s difficult.\u00a0 I’m not going to lie, I’ve shied away from a few difficult conversations this year, both personally and professionally.<\/p>\n

                \n
                • Get in front of the camera more.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Is there a ‘yikes’ emoji?\u00a0 As comfortable as I am in front of the camera (I just shot my fifth episode with What’s Cooking UAE), I know I need to be more of a presence on Instagram.\u00a0 Wait, am I contradicting the above resolution?\u00a0 No, given I care less and less about IG, I think I’m ready to try different things with the app.\u00a0 As much as I see absolutely cringe-worthy ‘look at me’ Instastories, I realize engagement is much higher (and yes, some people do know how to balance themselves with other content — they are few and far between).\u00a0 Will I be equally awkward?\u00a0 Only time will tell.\u00a0 (Let’s hope not).\u00a0 Additionally, I’d love to be involved with other productions.<\/p>\n

                  \n
                  • No more FOMO.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    Other people will get invited to places and events that I want to attend.\u00a0 This is a fact of life.\u00a0 I am not in the Tier 1 (or A category) for any of the PR in town, and that’s okay.\u00a0 I like what I’m doing and need to be reminded of that fact more often.\u00a0 I’ve had some incredible opportunities and will continue to do so.\u00a0 Does it sting my ego now and then?\u00a0 Sure it does.\u00a0 Should I let it bother me as much?\u00a0 No, I really shouldn’t.<\/p>\n

                    So, that’s what I’m looking for in 2018.\u00a0 Achievable?\u00a0 Yes, I’d like to think so.\u00a0 Easy?\u00a0 Not really.<\/p>\n

                    What are your resolutions for the coming year?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                    Yes, I am one of those people who like to check in on a yearly basis and attempt to make (somewhat) realistic goals for the coming year.\u00a0 Sometimes I do this on my birthday, sometimes I do it at the start of the year.\u00a0 Anyway, here’s what I am going to try and focus on in 2018.\u00a0 I consider all of these to be of equal importance, so don’t read into the order too much. Consume Less Sugar. I’m not going so far as to say I’m a sugar addict, but I will say there is a lot of unnecessary sugar in my diet.\u00a0 I know it’s not good for me.\u00a0 I know it’s contributing to kilos I’m not particularly happy with.\u00a0 I know it’s not helping my long-term health.\u00a0 I think the key is to simply have less sugar available at home.\u00a0 While I’m not going to go Whole30…<\/p>\n

                    Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":6983,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1457],"tags":[53,1366],"yoast_head":"\n