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!
21 comments
Dear Lizzy. How wonderful what you have written for yourself and to inspire others. It is a heartwarming list and all of it is good advice and will contribute to making 2018 a fantastic year. I am sure you will make many of your dreams come true. Writing them down, like you did, is such a good way of committing yourself. Keep reading this blogpost regularly, so you stay focussed and so you can tick of goals reached or steps in the right direction taken. Love, Lieske
Oh Lieske, thank you so much. You’re right. By saying it out loud and writing it here, I am much more likely to manage to succeed. Happy New Year lovely lady. I wish you health, happiness and every success with your blog (and with your pupils!) xxx
Love this, so important we all live in the moment more and adore each and every point. Happy New Year amazing lady x
Thank you Vicki. I hope 2018 brings you even more success but a little more rest and Vicki-time too. Good luck my darling xxxx
Happy New Year! That’s a great list. I’m definitely going to try most of them – especially putting down the phone when talking to someone. I’m going to spend more time organising get togethers with my friends and their families – not just saving it for Christmas and New Year. My family live abroad so my friends are my family x
Happy New Year Gilly and thank you so much for the lovely comment. It’s so easy to pick up the phone isn’t it while we’re doing other things. Your friends must be incredibly important to you and it’s wonderful spending time with them. I have so many wonderful friends and an amazing family and they’re all so precious xxxxx
Cooking from scratch is so much better! Nigella s cook book sounds perfect, I watches a lot of her cooking on tv. I am also a Jamie Oliver fan. His latest book,5 ingredients, is fantastic too! Very nice post Lizzy!
Lizz this is, without a doubt, my favourite post. I know your heart and it is filled with love, you are as beautiful on the inside as you are on the out and that fact shines through this post.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful thoughts with us, keep evolving but always keep being you – because you are inspiring and amazing!!
Michelle xxx
Aww, thank you so much Michelle. Thank you so much. I think you’re an inspiration too. Happy New year my gorgeous friend xxxx
Such a gorgeous post Lizzie, I think I can relate to just about everything you have mentioned! Here’s to a fabulous 2018 xx
Thank you so much Karemma. Yes, Happy New Year to you and your lovely family xxxxx
Nice plans for the year! I always like to think of mine as continuation of what I’ve already been doing. Health is number one on my list.
Isn’t Lanzarote fab? We were there last February and it was magic. This year we’re off to Tenerife so there will no doubt be a post or two from me. I decided to brush up on my Spanish when I went. It’s not bad but I often add a word or two in Italian. 😄
Happy New Year and yes, health is so very important. And yes too! Lanzarote is beautiful. I’m like you, I add Italian rather than Spanis into the mix. Have a wonderful time in Tenerife xxxx
Happy New Year Lizzy, I found this post very moving, and it made me think, I have a lot going on in my life with illness of a loved one, and the joy of 3 little Granddaughters, I find it so difficult to get the balance right, but you have written what has been in my head and it feels so good to read it. So here’s hoping that we both can put it into practise.
I have 3 sons all a lot older than yours and sometimes they really bring you up short!! So glad you acknowledged his feelings and you all enjoyed the time together.
Keep up the great posts I really look forward to & enjoy them.
Love & hugs
Jan
Hi Jan and Happy New Year. Oh, I’m so sorry to hear about your loved one. Health really is everything isn’t it. How gorgeous having three little granddaughters too- they must be so precious to you. I’m so glad I respected and acted upon Harry’s feelings. He appreciated it and the thing is, he was right. I’m glad that both of my children are able to speak their minds and let me know how they’re feeling. This can of course sometimes be more amusing than constructive, “Mum, you can’t wear that hat. You look like an alien” and similar, but we all laugh a lot which is so important too. Good luck this year Jan and I’m sure we’ll continue to keep in touch. We can spur each other along! xxx
This is such an inspirational post Liz. You’re already a truly positive person & have always impressed me with your strength. I believe you will go very far with your plans this year & I’ve no doubt you can achieve what ever you set your mind to.
For me learning a foreign language has been on my list of things I must do. I have messed about with Italian & learned German at school but am fluent in neither. My daughter wants to learn Italian so we decided that this year, together we’re getting lessons! The other point you make struck a chord with me & that’s thoughts are not facts. This is a good one to remember, I tend to over-think things too. Thanks for the brilliant advice girlfriend xxx
Thank you Michelle, thank you so much. Well my love, you are a strong and inspirational woman with a big year ahead of you. I too am certain that you’ll reach your goals and what a fab idea learning Italian with your daughter. Over-thinking is awful isn’t. I always say that my sensitivity is y biggest strength and my greatness weakness. It means I’m empathetic and intuitive, but it also means I can be overly-sensitive and take things the wrong way. I do try to remind myself now that thoughts are not facts. We can remind each other if needs be. Happy New Life MT xxxxx
EXCELLENT POST!
HAPPY NEW YEAR…………….XX
Thank you so much! And a very happy New Year to you too xxx
Oh Liz, this is such an amazing post I just don’t know where to start!! First of all – thank you for the mention and your kind words, you know how much they mean to me. This post is going to be so inspiring for so many people, not least me… you’ve written SO many things that make sense they’re almost no-brainers. It made me a bit sad that Harry said what he said about not taking photos all the time, but he’s right and how great that he said something rather than just stewing about it! I do the same as you when with others so must take heed of what he said #wiseboy
I know that you’re going to be even more amazing in 2018, you deserve everything you’ve worked so hard for (I knew that notebook was so “you”)! Wishing even more happiness and success this year, much love to you <3
Catherine x
Thank you, thank you, thank you. And thank you too for all of the inspiration which I take from so many of your posts, not just the one I mentioned above. I’m so pleased too that Harry spoke up. I felt very sad at the time and really quite terrible, but it has made me think and truly appreciate everything. I won’t be ditching the camera though, merely making sure the focus, (excuse the oun), is on other things too. Here’s to a happy, health and successful 2018. Love always xxxxx