2018 goals and being frank

Tuesday 2 January 2018


Hello my lovelies, hope you all had an amazing break and are feeling refreshed for the new year?

I don't usually have new year resolutions, nor do I usually say "this is going to be my year" but seeing as I'm turning 30 this year I'm excited once again (every year after the age of 21 is not really spectacular tbh, sorry if you're coming up to this age!).
It also turns out to be the year of my favourite colour (purple), as Pantone's colour of the year is "ultraviolet" so I feel like this is an extra reason to incorporate more purple into my life - who knows I might ditch my signature blush pink hijabs for lilacs lol.

Sometimes I still feel like the 16 year old me, but when I look through what I've achieved in life - my education/degree, experience in various job roles, life's ups and downs (especially overcoming the downs!) and most importantly now being a mum, it all adds up and makes me feel altogether a bit more mellow but hopefully wiser.

I've decided to write this more personal post as I really would like this year to count and since getting my Happiness Planner as a PR gift from L'Oreal last year (pictured above), it's helped me write down my goals in life and I feel like it really does make me feel more motivated to achieve them.
So if you or someone you know are struggling to motivate yourself, I would totally recommend writing down your goals somewhere.

I've written a small list of blogging-related things I reckon are fairly achievable for this year and here they are:

1. continuing to blog regularly


Last year my son was less demanding in a lot of ways and I got a little free time to myself, so I decided to use those days (and nights!) to blog and am pretty happy I have because I feel a sense of achievement having juggled mum life with blogging life and of course loads of you have messaged to say how helpful my posts have been which is the icing on the cake. I hope to still continue blogging regularly enough, particularly on my Foundation Files posts or Lip Swatches posts as they're my main focus these days.

2. more videos!


This is the one part of blogging I struggle with as they are tiringgg to film, edit and upload (and I personally prefer blogs to videos!) but judging by my Instagram story polls you guys really do love videos so I will try my best to get more videos up this year both on Instagram but especially on YouTube.
I would love to do more chatty videos and build my confidence on YouTube (instagram is more easier to be chatty with as it's more real-time/responsive), but I've started a "Chatty Videos" playlist on my channel which I've already uploaded a get ready with me/us with Aysha Begum HERE, do check it out if you'd like to know a bit more about blogging in general as well as beauty products, hopefully it's helpful!

3. sponsored content


If you remember my personal post last year, I touched on the subject of participating in campaigns and taking on sponsored content, but I'd like to just be up front with you guys in this post and remind you that I hope and plan to always stay true to myself with my reviews and any sponsored content will have been carefully chosen i.e. I will not promote products I don't believe in or would not recommend as I feel like this is not authentic and personally I value my followers trusting my opinion.
I do think sponsored posts are something followers can be put off by but I just wanted to also be frank here and say that in the 7 years of blogging, I've pretty much worked on my blog for free, but as a single mum, products don't pay my bills and I would like to consider taking on more sponsored posts in the future, but only of course if they fit with my blog content and are in line with my intentions, integrity and faith values/thought processes - please do read last year's post here for more on this.
I'd hope that my followers understand this now and support me whether a post is sponsored or not, knowing that I do not accept things that would affect these 3 values.

4. meet ups/events


I've been wanting this for a while as so many of you lovelyyy girls message me saying you'd love to meet up some day, so I'm hoping to work with brands to either do meet and greet type events or a masterclass even.
The last masterclasses I held were all organised by myself when I was pregnant but things have changed so much now in the blogging world, I'd love to see you lovely girls again in a more convenient setting.
As a "micro" blogger, these things are harder to organise as there are many "bigger" bloggers out there in the same field but I know a lot of you girls are undoubtedly loyal from my early blogging days, retail or freelance work as well as my new followers who are equally amazing too, so I need to be able to show brands that there is actually a demand for little old me to hold these events and any feedback would be welcome on what kind of events you'd like me to do if you could comment below!

5. giving back


Last year I managed to hold a fair few giveaways, some of which were exclusive and I felt so lucky that brands allowed me to hold these.
I do really appreciate all the support I get through comments, likes, using my links etc, so I really do try to ask if there are any giveaways I can hold for my followers as it's so nice to be able to give back products that I get to use/love. Hopefully I can continue to do this in 2018.
I also love finding the best price or getting discount codes (probably the Asian in me) so where I can get exclusive codes with brands, I'll try and ask ;)


I do have a few personal happiness goals too like parenting goals, doing things I love (eating brunch, socialising etc) but I thought I'd keep this post blogging related so it's somewhat short and sweet 😅
I look forward to seeing what this year holds, I do genuinely believe that a positive mindset helps you achieve what you want regardless of whether life hands you lemons or not so here's hoping we all have a positive, happy and healthy 2018 and onwards!

What are your goals for this year? Do let me know what you'd like to see from me and let's see if I can make it happen iA!


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21 comments:

  1. I would deffo attend a makeup workshop if u hosted one where you could give opinions on foundation shades, and generally help us with our make up techniques. And re the sponsored content I’ve seen enough of your stuff to know you would still continue to keep things real and in line with your values so would deffo not be put off x

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    1. aww thank you so much! I'll definitely look into that as I genuinely miss holding masterclasses, it was exhausting organising them before but so satisfying seeing everyone learn new things and appreciate it! <3 <3

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    2. Aww pls keep me posted sis as I’m considering attending one planned by someone else but if you’re going to be doing one I’d rather just wait for yours x

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    3. Welllll, I can't say much now but iA I am planning to hold some events this year (health permitting!) and if so I always try to make it as informative as possible so that people actually feel confident enough to try what they've learned with me at home/on others! xx

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  2. Hi my lovely �� 2018 الحمد لله i Just hope it's a year full of happiness for me and my kids and my loved ones and my goal of possible just travel more often as I love traveling with my kids and from you what I would like to see you already know lol but more YT videos first impressions and you know the others lol but what ever you come up with can't wait to see ��

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    1. Ah yes travelling is definitely one of my personal goals I'd love to achieve, maybe not this year but iA in my 30s with my boy if Allah wills!
      Thank you soo much for your support though, it's so nice seeing familiar names like yours crop up on my social media, makes me happy and iA I get to see you one day!

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    2. انشاالله one day if Allah will we will meet I feel like I already knwo you lol 😂 through insta live and so on I already knwo your such a sweet down to earth person and انشاالله one day we will meet 😘

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  3. Love your blog Safiyah and totally think you have earned any sponsored posts you do! Will definitely be there to support you all the way and cant wait to see what 2018 brings for your blog/channel! I haventset myself any goals as i’m a bit worried i wont achieve them haha xx

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    1. ahhh Amina, you TOTALLY should set yourself some small achievable goals (I mean videos is like the hardest thing for me in this list I think, but I know if I have enough energy I can do it iA), I feel like I should tag you to write one now!
      and thank you soo much babe, really means a lot esp from another fellow blogger who understands the struggle, hoping it's an equally successful year for you too beaut!

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  4. Will definitely support you saf you deserve all the happiness ❤️Wish u all the best in your future posts and many more to come for you babe
    No goals at the moment but let’s see what 2018 has to offer! #moresponsoseredposttocome

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    1. awww rahma you're soo cute, you're one of the first names I look for when I post something new, love how you always support! Whatever you want to achieve in like 5 years or even 10 years time, you can start working on this year so thinkkk! <3

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  5. Saf! Hoping to see more sponsored content from you, you of all people deserve it!
    I’d also love to see more collabs and YT videos! I always love a good tutorial or a GRWM!

    I haven’t set myself goals yet but I think I will try and write some down soon.

    xxx

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    1. awww omzzzz ily girl!!

      Yes iA more collabs, I reckon I should do a makeover on you for one 👀

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  6. Hey Sis, love your blog. Just love how it all flows and when I was reading it, I was actually putting loads of stuff into perspective for myself! I think it's great for you to do sponsored posts-we all know how honest and frank you are so it won't make a difference to your followers. My aim this year is to get back into praying 5 times a day as I had to stop due to ill health. And... think of new ideas for my business page as it's slacking at mo. Looking forward to your page this year xx Shabana @medora_wholesale xx

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    1. aww jzk so much sis!!! Really appreciate your kind words <3
      Yesss my personal goals definitely involve a couple spiritual ones as they're the most important, as well as parenting ones 😅
      I really do hope you get some inspo for your page iA and make the most of the energy we have <3

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  7. You deserve all the happiness sponsored or not I will still follow you. Your videos are always so great and detailed. Xxxx may Allah make all your dreams and the impossible come true for you sister. Xxx

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    1. Awww jzk sooo muchhhh hun, ameeen, and you too babe! Really appreciate the lovely supportive sisters out there and iA I can do more to give back in the future <3 <3

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  8. It's been so inspiring to follow you from tootifrooti days and I'm so proud of how far you've come, in'sha'Allah 2018 is the year that you grow even more. Defo do sponsored posts! All your followers know how thorough and honest you are and when I hear about how much the bigger bloggers/ytubers are able to earn from sponsored content....damn life would be sorted!!! Haha, honestly blogging and youtube are no easy task, they're very rewarding socially but financially not so much unless you do accept sponsored posts here and there, and nobody deserves that more than you xxx

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    1. hahahaha tootifrooti!! hahaha I love that, so glad I changed my name 😂
      and yess, it's the dream right?? but yeah you're so right, I genuinely looove and enjoy blogging for free but here and there would be nice to be paid too 😅
      Thank you so much for your lovelyyy comment and for supporting me from my "tooti" days lmao <3 <3

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  9. Hi hun, I'd love to come to a meet and greet with you ❤
    Narzra x

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    1. awww thank you! iA I hope to do more interactive things like masterclasses or product launches coz I feel like it would be so useful and it makes me happy knowing people find products they love! <3

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