We are now officially living in the future, but in the grand old tradition of times past, I couldn't let the year go without looking over it and thinking about what lies ahead over the next 12 months.
'Resolutions' posts are definitely the Marmite of the blogger world - if you're one that loathes them, I advise you to skip this post entirely!
Me, I love them. I love the feeling of a fresh slate, of starting over. I'm definitely one of life's planners and list makers.
And if you're going to argue that no one sticks to them, I think you're wrong. I'm quite good at making my goals come true- because I make them realistic, attainable and fun.
So, 2014. It wasn't the best year for us.
There were a lot of challenges, a bit of heartbreak.
People go through a lot worse, but problems are relative and our lives were overshadowed. We didn't really live last year, more existed hoping violently for something.
Sadly, 2015 seems like it's going to start off with more bad news, but things can change quickly and I'm determined to remain positive.
What did I learn last year? That my little family is really all that I need. And that what's meant to be does eventually happen- even if it's not in the way you expect or when you want.
Last year I resolved to become debt free (bar the mortgage), to be kinder to myself and others, to take my writing seriously, invest more in skincare, to mix up my style, to buy less but better quality and to 'join the dots' with my diet and exercise.
I managed to achieve pretty much all of this- as documented on here.
Sadly, 2015 seems like it's going to start off with more bad news, but things can change quickly and I'm determined to remain positive.
What did I learn last year? That my little family is really all that I need. And that what's meant to be does eventually happen- even if it's not in the way you expect or when you want.
Last year I resolved to become debt free (bar the mortgage), to be kinder to myself and others, to take my writing seriously, invest more in skincare, to mix up my style, to buy less but better quality and to 'join the dots' with my diet and exercise.
I managed to achieve pretty much all of this- as documented on here.
It was also the year I started focusing on blogging, and that's been pretty special.
I'm quite proud that I've made them happen. So, what's the plan for 2015? What do I really want for the year?
My goals for 2015 are:
This is a pretty common resolution, but despite it being something I need to do desperately, I've never resolved to do it until now.
Typically, it was beauty that motivated me to do it. I have pretty rubbish kidney function and I already know I should be drinking a lot more h20, but I'm just not in the habit of it. I know when I do drink more water, I feel better and I want to drink more. But if I don't I can do without.
I suspect I'm dehydrated a lot, and that drinking more water would do me a lot of good. But it was this article that really stopped me in my tracks- the change in her is truly astonishing.
I worry about my eye bags and my fine lines, which seem to be getting worse. To the point where I've even been looking into Botox, despite my needle phobia. But it's never occurred to me the answer could be a lot more simple. Even if it doesn't turn out to be the miracle cure, giving it a go certainly can't hurt.
To help me keep to it, I've purchased a Brita Fill and Go- it's a re-usable water bottle with a filter, so you can just top it up from the nearest tap. Making it easy means I'm more likely to stick to it. So from now on this will be my constant companion!
I'll update in a month's time to see if 3 litres a day can really make that much difference.
We all wish we had more hours in the day, and although that's not going to happen unless we find a way to defy the laws of physics... There is a way to make those hours go further. And that is having a plan, and sticking to it.
I'm fairly organised and I've been keeping (separately) a weekly diary, a daily task list and a blog planner. In the interests of streamlining even further, I decided that a daily planner could help me combine all of those things with less effort.
Having more detail in each day also makes it easier to keep control over the day.
Over the past few years- and I know this is going to sound dramatic, so best with me- I've felt more aware than that life is speeding by, and that I'm not getting any younger. I'm told it only gets faster and that kind of scares me. I feel more aware of my own finite lifespan, of my mortality and of making the days count rather than wasting away time.
My goals for 2015 are:
>> Drink 3 litres of water a day
This is a pretty common resolution, but despite it being something I need to do desperately, I've never resolved to do it until now.
Typically, it was beauty that motivated me to do it. I have pretty rubbish kidney function and I already know I should be drinking a lot more h20, but I'm just not in the habit of it. I know when I do drink more water, I feel better and I want to drink more. But if I don't I can do without.
I suspect I'm dehydrated a lot, and that drinking more water would do me a lot of good. But it was this article that really stopped me in my tracks- the change in her is truly astonishing.
I worry about my eye bags and my fine lines, which seem to be getting worse. To the point where I've even been looking into Botox, despite my needle phobia. But it's never occurred to me the answer could be a lot more simple. Even if it doesn't turn out to be the miracle cure, giving it a go certainly can't hurt.
To help me keep to it, I've purchased a Brita Fill and Go- it's a re-usable water bottle with a filter, so you can just top it up from the nearest tap. Making it easy means I'm more likely to stick to it. So from now on this will be my constant companion!
I'll update in a month's time to see if 3 litres a day can really make that much difference.
>> Keep a daily planner
We all wish we had more hours in the day, and although that's not going to happen unless we find a way to defy the laws of physics... There is a way to make those hours go further. And that is having a plan, and sticking to it.
I'm fairly organised and I've been keeping (separately) a weekly diary, a daily task list and a blog planner. In the interests of streamlining even further, I decided that a daily planner could help me combine all of those things with less effort.
Having more detail in each day also makes it easier to keep control over the day.
Over the past few years- and I know this is going to sound dramatic, so best with me- I've felt more aware than that life is speeding by, and that I'm not getting any younger. I'm told it only gets faster and that kind of scares me. I feel more aware of my own finite lifespan, of my mortality and of making the days count rather than wasting away time.
I don't want any more wasted moments- apart from the ones I waste wilfully in pleasure.
>> Spend time writing
So this year, I'm actually being less particular. The main point is just to be writing, somehow - be it the blog, a bit of verse or one day, just maybe, that novel. The process is the result.
>> JFDI
When I was working in the car industry, believe me NO-ONE minces their words. My director was a deeply charmless man, and his favourite motto when his minions were prevaricating was 'JFDI'. Just. Fucking. Do. It. And although his manner left plenty to be desired, he wasn't far wrong with the sentiment.
If you prevaricate, worry and generally over analyse like me, you could probably benefit from a bit of his attitude.
I'm the queen of procrastination- if there's a way to avoid action, I'm generally right there. But things are not generally as bad, as onerous, or as impossible as you build them up to be in your mind. If you just plunge in and do them... And sometimes things still don't work out, but at least you find out sooner!
>> Join in more twitter chats and blog meets
Since taking my blog social, one of the things I've enjoyed most is the little discussion sessions on Twitter.
They've enabled me to discover some great blogs and also to meet some fantastic people. I'm not very good about attending them lately though, and with all the worries on my plate in the past fee months especially, I haven't felt like it.
This year I'm determined to join in more! This page on XOMisse is invaluable for keeping track of what's on, when.
Blogger meet ups have also been the highlight of my year, so I'm determined to attend a few more. It is dependent on me knowing they're happening though - so if you find out about any, let me know!
>> Decorate the house to a high standard
Now that we finally have the home we wished so hard for, I want to realise it's full potential. It's going to take quite a while, so it might be more than a one year goal- especially with finite resources and a full time job- but I want a home to be truly proud of and I plan to start on that path in the year to come.
There's one other goal that I have for next year too, but it's very close to my heart and I'm not ready to share yet. If I make any progress I may well share it though!
Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read this. I would be writing even if no one knew it, but a few kindred souls makes the journey much sweeter. I hope you all have an incredible 2015 and make your dreams come true, bit by bit. Happy new year.
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