On the 9th January I turned the grand old age of twenty-eight!
I have made it a sort of birthday tradition in more recent years to set out some goals for myself to work towards throughout the year (sort of in keeping with New Year Resolutions I guess.) These aren't necessarily goals I have to achieve, but things that I hope I can work on to better and challenge myself.
1. Focus more time on YouTube & Blogging.
December and January were kind of dud months for my blog, and I've really missed it. Sitting here right now in my little "box office" and feeling so inspired, I don't really know what happened at the end of last year. Well, I do (#busyYuletide,) but I love my little creative babies and I want to show them as much love as I can.
2. Take time to bring all my friends together.
With the wedding being just a little over a year away, I wan to make sure that I can bring everyone together as much as possible. My friends are an extension of my family, and on the bog day, I want everyone to know as many faces as possible, and have the best time together!
3. Learn to manage my personal stress levels.
I really am a contradiction. At work when I am stressed, or have a deadline to meet, I thrive. But at home, when it comes to my own personal stresses, I crumble. I turn in to a complete stress-head. I've already had a Bridezilla wobble over wedding details this year, and I need to make sure I keep myself cool, calm and collected so that I don't turn into a crazy Bride that nobody can bear to be around.
4. Climb Snowdon
My Northern family are the most active people. Forever outdoors, climbing, walking...it is just amazing. I want to be a part of it as much as I can. The first step is to climb Snowdon. I've walked a bit of it, but I want to go all the way to the top. The Boy and I are planning to do it in April at some-point, so I'd better get training....and fast.
5. Cook more.
I have a confession to make....when it comes to cooking, I am a lazy BUM! When I come in from work I just can't be bothered, and most of the time, it is Boyfriend who makes the tea, or if he's late home, I just have cereal or a ready meal. I need to make more of a conscious effort to cook, and not just leave it to when I'm in the mood.
6. Exercise more regularly.
This ties in with my Snowdon goal and my upcoming nuptials. Being a curvy girl on my bottom half, my derrière only just about fits into my wedding dress as I'm putting it on. I wouldn't change the shape of my bum (I do love it,) but I do need to tone up a little bit. I also need to train like a beast so that I can make it up Snowdon without collapsing in a sweaty heap. I'm hopefully starting some Zumba classes next week, and I see my PT once a week, so I'm on the right track, but I need to really stick at it.
7. Complete the Race for Life Pretty Muddy.
Last year I completed the Race for Life, but this year I want to kick things up a notch and try out Pretty Muddy. It looks like so much fun! I don't know if I'll be able to do all the obstacles, but I'm definitely willing to give it my best shot!
8. Sketch more pictures for my friends.
This year, instead of buying my friends gifts, I really want to make things personal and sketch pictures for them. I miss sketching. I don't make enough time for it, but by having an incentive to draw for other people, I'm hoping to get stuck right back in to it.
9. Revamp the master bedroom.
Our bedroom is a disgrace. It is in desperate need of a revamp. It's dark and dingy and everytime I look at it it makes me really sad. It needs a good lick of paint and some TLC. We also need to replace the chest of drawers and my vanity unit (which Dave likes to use as a scratching post.) It'll be a work-in-progress, but it'll look so lovely once it's done.
10. Tidy House. Tidy Mind.
Most of us do it, don't we? Dump bits and pieces round the house when we should really tidy them away? At least I do. And I need to stop. Because when it's my time of the month I turn in to a cow looking at how messy the house gets. And it;s my own fault. My own habits. And I need to change them.
11. Brush my hair.
One of my friends in particular is forever cursing me about this. But I am the worst person when it comes to brushing my hair. I just tend to throw it up in a high ponytail and forget about it for days. It's not good for my hair. I really need to get out of this horrendously bad habit to keep my hair feeling soft and silky...especially because I'm trying to grow it.
12. Do more baking.
I've neglected my mixing bowl for too long. Those baking books are coming down from the shelf and being put to good use! You'll be looking at the next Mary Berry in no time!
13. Cut down on chocolate.
I am the biggest chocoholic. I can chomp down a Cadbury's Caramel bar in seconds. It's not healthy. As hard as it's going to be I need to cut down. If I can do it with caffeine, I can do it with chocolate....I hope.
14. Be more honest to myself.
Honesty is the best policy, and sometimes it's really hard to be honest with yourself. If I'm having a shit day, I'll accept it. If I'm having the best day, I'll live it up. But I'm never going to be dishonest with my feelings. The healthiest thing to do is always embrace how you're feeling and accept that it's okay to feel that way.
15. Nap less.
During the day I'm the worst for sitting on the sofa and dozing off. Well...no more! Less napping means more time for blogging, and more blogging means a very happy me.
16. Do at least one good deed everyday.
Let a car out in front of me, say "thank you" and "have a good day," send a thoughtful text. Whatever it's going to be, it's great to send positive energy and good vibes out into the Universe.
17. Spend less, save more.
Not that I spend heaps of money, but this year, I'm going to always be bearing in mind that any excessive amount of money I spend on myself I could be putting towards our wedding, or honeymoon, or treating other people to lovely things.
18. Take more time for friends and family.
Quality time with my friends and family is very important. And I want to make some fabulous memories with everyone this year. That means lots of adventures to look back on and remember with love and excitement.
19. Plan a surprise for the Boy every few months.
My Boy does a lot for me, and I absolutely adore the bones of him. I want to give back to him in the best way possible and plan some surprises to him to show him I care. That could be a day trip, a nice dinner, or even just a really fabulous bottle of wine and cheese board. Just something to remind him of how special he is to me.
20. Out with the old.
Clearing out things you don't need/use/want any more can not only de-clutter your house but also de-clutter your mind. I regularly throw things out or donate items to charity, but with putting more focus in to my creative outlets, it's time to refresh the house and make way for new ideas.
21. Make more "Me Time."
A hot bubble bath.... A lie in.... A lie down with a cup of hot chocolate and a book. Whatever it is everyone is entitled to some "Me Time," and to help me stay calm and let go of my own stresses, I'm going to actively take more time out to focus on myself and just chill.
22. Keep one weekend a month free.
Some months Boyfriend and I don't have many plans. And some months we don't have a weekend to ourselves. And those months are really tough. Boyfriend can work some amazingly long hours, and we don't always get much time together during the week. Dedicating at least one weekend a month to just us will make us really appreciate the time we do have together.
23. Don't go to sleep angry/upset/stressed.
Not that I do this regularly but sometimes I just can't switch off. Something could have annoyed me about the day, or be preying on my mind, and it really gets me down and then I end up taking it out on Boyfriend which isn't fair. I really need to learn to let it go, let it gooo-ooooo!
24. Go camping.
Our weekend camping last year was so much fun. I can't wait to have more camping adventures this year...Just as long as there is a toilet nearby. I don't think I'm ready to camp anywhere without toilet facilities just yet.
25. Keep Calm & Read More.
I used to read a hell of a lot of books, but in the past few years, the time I spend reading has gotten less and less (I get drawn in watching YouTube videos.) This year I need to rekindle my love of reading and put down the iPhone/iPad a bit more.
26. Maintain a better beauty regime.
Since I discovered LUSH's Ultrabland and ESPA'S ProCleanser, my skin has not been better. But I find it all too easy to creep in to bed, bleary-eyed and too sleepy to care if I have or haven't taken my make up off. If I don't want my blemishes to reappear, this is a habit I need to kick.
27. Write More Candidly.
When it comes to posts, I am always honest. I tell it like it is and give you my true opinion. And that's something I want to continue and expand upon. I want to share my experiences of life as a woman, and hopefully help and inspire others. I'm obviously not going to share everything about my life, but when I do write, I want it to be in a really personable way - just like how I'd speak with my friends.
28. Enjoy everyday. Live with no regrets.
Every day here on Earth is a gift, and I intend to live every day to the max. To push boundaries to my own abilities. To be proud of who I am. To love my friends and family. And to never stop chasing my dreams.
