I don’t tend to make specific resolutions for the New Year, but I do still think that, having had a few days off over Christmas before returning to work and “real life”, it does make a good opportunity to hit the refresh button and rethink what you’re doing in your life. I made a few resolutions going into 2014, and it helped me to see them down in writing throughout the year, so I could have a focus and remember what was important to me. It’s fun to see now how we wanted to buy a house that year, and we did! I also love that I wanted to learn to sew and make an article of clothing – I was definitely successful in that one!
I’ve decided to do the same this year. 2017’s goals to me seem to be a focus on maintaining a good balance in my life and working on being in a good place mentally, focusing on positives in my life and taking time for myself when I need it. They’re mostly not psychical or material goals, such as getting more fit, losing weight, saving money and so on, but more how I can focus on myself.
Sewing
Sewing has been pushed to the side a little bit recently in favour of other commitments and I’m really sad about that! I haven’t had any time to work on anything for myself recently despite gathering lots of ideas.
So in 2017, I want to set time aside to focus on some projects for myself with my sewing again – things that make me feel good and sewing projects that don’t have a deadline.
Blogging
I currently run 3 blogs and own another 1 that I’m just setting up (more on that soon). Some (many!) might say it’s crazy, I say it’s fun (and slightly crazy). I love blogging, I love having my own space to write down my thoughts and to share my passions for certain subjects, and to me, it makes sense to have some of those as separate blogs.
And I have separate goals for each one, but in general, I want to make sure in 2017 that I don’t let it all get on top of me. I want to make sure that I’m still writing because I love it and not because I feel that I have to. I want the blogs to thrive, and I have numbers in mind for some of these (such as breaking 100,000 monthly views on BCLC – we’re so close this month!), but I want to enjoy them still.
Yoga
Last year’s big revelation was sewing, I continued it this year, then in dropped off in the later part of the year. And my big revelation this year has been yoga. I’ve completed 30 Days of Yoga with Adriene and done at least another 100 days of yoga too, plus I joined a local class a few times then started fortnightly private sessions with Laura with an instructor in Ripon.
I find that yoga helps me both physically and mentally. I don’t get the chance to do a lot of exercise, so yoga helps with that. And yoga also gives me a break from the day, forcing me to spend some time on myself. I find it calming and relaxing, and I’ve learned a few breathing techniques that really help if I get too stressed.
In 2017, I want to make some specific goals in yoga (which I’m keeping to myself a bit!) in terms of poses I want to be able to do. I want to make sure that I practise at least 3 times a week – though I’d like to do it every single day, it’s not always feasible!
Focus more on balance
This one isn’t actually related to yoga despite the name, but more on the sentiments I expressed in this post. I think it sums up all the above goals and resolutions quite well though actually.
I go through phases of feeling completely overwhelmed by life because I’m trying to do too much, and all of it seems completely necessary to me. There are the hours of the day that are ruled out with working a 9 to 5 – or 8.30 to 5ish (usually later) actually! – job; then the hour that’s ruled out because of driving; another chunk of time is gone on prepping and eating tea; then I’ve got X amount of blog posts to do every day, plus additional freelance work, then throw in the fact that I want to fit in yoga, sewing, seeing friends, spending time with Ben on top of all of this, and I don’t have a lot of time really.
In the last month or so of this year, I haven’t actually taken a lunch break unless I’ve been using it for yoga which is definitely downtime, but it means I’m eating lunch at my desk while carrying on working. I’ve also returned home from work and sat straight back down at the computer to work on blogging – it’s reached the point in my “blogging career” where I need to work on them constantly to maintain them and my social media, plus I want to work on them. Luckily thanks to all my typing and writing experience, I can whack out a couple of blog posts in an hour so I can get things scheduled up, but that makes for a busy brain!
But I’d like to stop my brain being “on the go” so much in the New Year, give myself a bit of downtime. I’m looking forward to the Christmas period as I can use some free time to get prepared for the year to come and be ahead – schedule blog posts, social media, freelance work. Could mean a busy Christmas working for me, but that’s life!
It sounds like you are so incredibly busy with everything going on! It’s amazing that you run multiple blogs while working and holding other interests like sewing and yoga! It’s definitely inspiring and makes me want to take up a little more in the upcoming year. I think that when you are super busy, you really appreciate downtime and simple things like relaxing with Netflix or having a bubble bath. I hope that you find a peaceful time over Christmas to switch off from everything and catch up with some ‘you’ time βΊοΈ x
Author
I’m definitely planning to take a bit of time off – baths with a book are my favourite thing so I’m planning lots of those! I finish tomorrow from work so that’s on the agenda then π
xx
I’ve been so busy sorting out now that I’ve not yet considered next year, maybe saying no to things I definitely don’t want to do rather than yes then trying to work out to get out of it or spending weeks dreading it. Being more organised might help my time issues out too.
Your goals sound fab, they are achievable (although may be difficult) but they are about making your life better and fuller. Doing what you enjoy and making the most of life, perfect!
Author
Saying no to things that you don’t want to do is a brilliant one – it saves you stressing for longer over them, I like it π