I don’t usually make a list of New Years Resolutions, I usually just say a few things out loud, then forget about them come February. This year I’ve written down 10 resolutions for 2015 and have want to share them with you.
1. Post Regularly on the Blog
I’ve been making the most of my two weeks off work over the festive period to post regularly on bylaurenjane and I plan to take this forward into 2015. I know I won’t be able to achieve a daily post, so I want to make sure I am posting at least twice a week, as I know this is an achievable goal.
2. Improve Your Photography
My pictures are a lot better than when I first started this blog, now that I use a Bridge Camera and edit my photos, especially as I received a MacBook Air for Christmas! I know my pictures are no where near as good as they could be, therefore I make it my mission in 2015 to up my photo game.
3. Use Your Gym Membership
I pay something silly like £52 per month for my gym membership, yet I don’t use it regularly. I got into it massively in September, then tore my lateral collateral ligament in my left knee and it all went downhill from there. I need to start justifying my spending, so I am going to make the most of my membership, which is a contract I can’t get out of!!
4. Get Back to a Size 8
This one leads on nicely from number 3. For many years I couldn’t gain any weight, to the point I paid for a personal trainer to help me gain lean mass. Over the last couple of years (since I met Andrew) I’ve gained around 2 stone of ‘happy fat’. Now I know I look a lot healthier as in I no longer look like a rake, but I’m definitely not healthier – I’m doing less exercise than ever before and not eating as much fruit and veg. I therefore aim to get healthier in 2015 and want to get back to a size 8.
5. Sleep Less!!
I sleep a lot. I mean a lot. 8 hours doesn’t do it for me, I’m talking 10 hours and an afternoon nap. This is ridiculous. I spend half my life asleep and it is such a waste. I think I’m tired partly due to some medication I take, and because I’ve gotten used to having this much sleep. If I start sleeping less, or even just stop having ‘nana naps’, I will have more time to achieve other items on this list!
6. Read More
I am a massive bookworm and love getting myself lost in a good book. Unfortunately, I have lost my morning and evening commuting reading time, as I have been driving to work for the last year, since moving to Leeds. I am therefore going to make a conscious effort to read before bed, or choose to turn off the TV in favour of reading.
7. Get Back into Your Spirituality; Meditation and Reiki
Did you know those who meditate live longer than those who don’t? When I found this out years ago, I started mediating, I even joined a meditation class. This was after I became a qualified Reiki practitioner. My house used to be covered in crystals, and I’d give them to friends and family. This all stopped about 3 years ago. I miss it dearly, simply because life is so much less stressful when you take time out to just chill. I want to start practicing Reiki again, not professionally, just on friends and family, and make sure I take time out of my busy life just to be calm and still.
8. Keep Up Your CPD!
Continuous Professional Development became really important to me during University. This is the reason I decided to complete a Master’s degree after my BA. I wanted to prove to myself I could go the extra mile, whilst adding another tick to my CV. I had actually planned to take on my PhD, but to a place on a Graduate Scheme, at which point I re-evaluated, and decided real world experience would be better for my CV. In 2015 I want to attend as many events and courses as time/money will allow to ensure I am continuously developing myself.
9. Start Saving Again £££
I used to be an awesome saver…all birthday and Christmas money as a child went straight into the bank. Now that I have a mortgage and bills to pay, saving has not been achievable. In 2015 I want to try and save wherever I can and start topping up my savings account once more.
10. Make the Most of Everyday
This is a very general resolution, and may seem a little non-specific to some. What I mean by this is, to be thankful for everything I have every single day, take a minute just to stop and look around. Don’t be lazy, don’t think should I or shouldn’t I, and say yes more. Time is precious, and something we shouldn’t take for granted.
Well there you have it, I hope at this time next year I can say I achieved the above. What are your resolutions? Have you posted about them?
Lauren xx