Happy New Year!

I didn’t actually plan on writing a post about my New Year Resolutions, hence it being January 5th and not January 1st. However, after reflecting on 2017, probably the best and busiest year of my life, I realised that there is a lot I want to achieve this year. A lot I want and need to change. Steps I want to take to make my life better still, to make it easier and more enriching.

I read my darling friend Catherine’s post, (Not Dressed as Lamb), “How To Make 2018 Your Best Ever Year”. At the end of the post, she invited her readers to share their own resolutions saying “you never know who you might inspire.” So, that’s what I decided to do. It was Catherine who sent the notebook in the photo above for Christmas too. I want to fill it with hopes, dreams and plans, so a few days ago, I began to write. Not New Year Resolutions per se. Rather a series of mantras and a set of goals that I wish to apply to the rest of my life, not just to 2018. Some of them are small and just require a little will-power. Others will require more. All are realistic though and attainable; something I believe is very important.

Respect and love your body

Drink less wine and more water.

I’m certain I’m not alone in this. I keep a large glass jug filled with water in the fridge and I intend to drink two jugs worth every day. I will ensure that the weekend’s rather more exciting drinks don’t extend to weekdays toooo often.

Optimize workouts.

I got into a rut with my gym routine last year and found that even after an hour, I barely broke a sweat. This isn’t because I’m super-fit, it’s because I didn’t push myself and because I was bored.  I’ve downloaded a series of workouts which appear to be more effective, more efficient and more convenient because they can be done at home. I plan to do them four times per week. I shall report back if I think this new regime is working.

Don’t put up with ill-health.

I mentioned in my previous post that I have some health issues that are now being investigated. Two in fact. I’m certain that neither is serious, i.e. not sinister or life-threatening, but both impact greatly on my life. In that sense they’re very serious. I’ve put up with both for much longer than I should, mainly because I know that any required intervention will necessitate rest. I won’t be able to drive or do the food shopping and housework. What this has served to do is make me more and more tired and it has lowered my immunity. I’ll write more about it in due course, but I really wish I’d gone to my doctor three or four years ago.

Rest

Take time out and rest. Let your body and mind repair themselves. Switch off. I struggle to rest, to stop and to sleep. Self-care is so important and I want to feel less tired than I did throughout 2017. I got a fabulous new mattress about a month ago and have just ordered some new bedding. I want my bed to be my haven and my friend.

Cook from scratch

I’ve mentioned a few times that I love cooking but that I’ve lost my mojo. Well, Ian bought Nigella Lawson’s latest recipe book for Christmas for me and it’s fabulous. Most of the time I do cook from scratch but it’s all become rather repetitive. I’m planning on cooking at least one new dish every week and I’ve asked the children to pick some recipes, (from my numerous cookbooks), to ensure they’ll enjoy it too. I’m redoubling my efforts to eat at least 5-a-day and to increase my intake of omega-rich foods.

Respect and love others

Be compassionate.

Be kind and empathetic. So many people have a story that would break your heart.

Be sincere

Say sorry when you are. Smile when it will reach your eyes. Insincerity isn’t something to aspire to.

Be polite

Say please. Send thank you letters. Hold doors open. Listen to others. Look people in the eye and don’t look at your phone if you’re meant to be talking to somebody. All too often I sit with Poppy to watch tv and all too often I end up browsing social media concurrently. She’s much more special than that. She deserves my full attention. As does everybody else.

 Respect and love yourself

Trust your intuition

Listen to your gut instinct. I wish I had on several occasions. It was right. It always is.

Never lie to yourself. Or to others.

Know your worth

Know your worth as a person and never ever let anyone walk all over you. Don’t let anybody take you for granted (and don’t take anybody for granted either).

Never compromise yourself or your beliefs, (but always be as nice as you possibly can).

Know your worth in the workplace. I’m guilty of accepting only a nominal fee and sometimes no fee for what is often several hours’ work. Nobody in their right mind would work in an office for no remuneration, so why on earth do I? This will definitely change. Starting from now. (This is an excellent post about this topic by Catherine, Not Dressed as Lamb. Can you tell she’s a bit of a guru?!)

Choose the right people

Make sure that every person you call a friend is on your side. That they love and respect you unconditionally. The same applies to your partner. Make sure these people uplift you and add to your life and that you reciprocate. Of course, we all have sad times and hurdles to overcome, but people’s inner goodness will always shine through. Again, trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to end a friendship or relationship if it’s not right.

Don’t overthink; thoughts are not facts.

This is a biggie for me. I often find myself going down the wrong avenue and over-thinking to the nth degree. Changing this mindset will be a challenge, but it’s one I’m up for. If I could change one thing about myself it would be this.

Broaden your mind

Learn a foreign language

Last year, I vowed to teach myself Spanish. It fell by the wayside in spring I think. I’m going to resume because I have every intention of spending more time in Spain.

Read

I had a week or so off over the Chrstmas period and I read two novels. I love reading and I realised just how much I missed it, so I’m going to do my best to read every day.

Don’t knock it until you try it. Say yes and…instead of yes but.

Allow yourself to try new things and don’t put obstacles in you way. But don’t ever be forced into doing something you don’t want to do either. Saying “I can’t” is very different than saying “I don’t want to.”

Learn constantly

Learn from others, from books, from documentaries and perhaps most importantly, learn from your mistakes.

Enjoy this precious life

Harry said something very poignant while we were away in Northumberland over New Year. Along with Ian, we were setting out for a walk on the beach. The beaches up there are stunning and it was a gorgeously crisp day with blue sky and bright sunshine. I was wearing a new top, (the cream pom pom jumper in the photographs above as it happens), so I grabbed my camera knowing it was THE perfect day for an outfit shoot. He asked if we could just enjoy the walk rather than stopping to take photos for Instagram. That stopped me in my tracks. I know that part of his reasoning is because he deems me to be the most embarrassing mother to walk the earth. But there was more to it. Much more. “Mum, for once, why can’t you just enjoy our company and the beach?”

Although I don’t let my teenagers dictate, I do listen to and respect their opinions and their feelings. So I left my camera behind. After all, I was on holiday. I wasn’t there to work. And do you know what? It was wonderful not working. So I continued not working for the rest of our stay. Hence there are no New Year’s Eve photographs on Instagram or on my blog.

From now on, I’m going to enjoy the moment more.

Love hard. Laugh often. Dance. Sing. Hug. Kiss. Smile. Look forwards. Don’t procrastinate and celebrate at every opportunity.

Here’s to a fabulously happy and healthy new life!