Happy first post of 2016! I decided to take a little break from the blogging world over Christmas and it feels both exciting and refreshing to be back. I’ve jumped into the year with a clean slate and I’m bursting with positivity since my blog has offically been entered into the Blog Awards UK! (Don’t forget, you can vote once a day until end of January). I know a lot of people dread the concept of ‘New Year, New You’ and I get it, not everyone makes resolutions. The idea of transforming into a different person at the strike of 12 also strikes people’s hearts with fear – ‘Can I really cut out pizza in my diet for 12 months?’. The answer is probably no and the idea of setting ourselves limits for the sake of a brand new year is both unrealistic and terrifying. I prefer to set myself realistic little ‘goals’ for the upcoming months and they are all things I know I will achieve, mainly because I’ve already put the steps into motion way before New Year!
Decluttering the apartment and reading more books
This is a big one for a person that hates clutter but I somehow seem to accumulate more belongings than necessary, oh god have I really turned into my mother so soon? Over the past few years I’ve grown to love white, minimal backgrounds. It makes a space feel so much cleaner and brighter. My mission now is to start throwing away items that are out of date, or donating things to charity if they are no longer in use. I’m a fan of Depop, so I will start putting unused clothes online to sell. You know what they say, tidy room tidy mind! I was kindly bought several books to read for Christmas and I’ve been curling up on the sofa with them with mugs of hot chocolate. More books is a definite must, especially since I want to write my own someday.
Take more photographs and mean it when you press the button
It’s so easy to just point and shoot at an object and call yourself a photographer. I studied photography for A-level and I’ve always loved the idea of capturing a moment in time, freezing it forever in a small little window. I’ve been given stacks of coffee table photography books and want to hang photographs I’ve taken over the years on the walls. I promised myself that if I achieved my goal of obtaining a permanent job, I’d buy myself a camera so I’ve ended up treating myself to the stunning must- have Olympus Pen ElP7. I can’t wait to start taking more photographs without having to lug my heavy DSLR around. Excited is an understatement!
Writing, writing and more writing
Calligraphy has been on my list of things to learn ever since I picked up Shorthand for university. I thrive on cheesy motivational quotes and I spend hours on Pinterest alone just searching for them. So my idea of picking up the pen again and learning a new writing skill is long overdue. There’s something I love about the shape of letters and putting pen to paper. I’ll be documenting my activities and want to show my development over the coming months… handmade birthday cards and Christmas cards, anyone?
Be happy and do things for me
This isn’t so much of a goal as it is a life choice. Last year, a lot of things changed. We moved house, my parents moved away, I started living with my boyfriend for the first time… little things that happened in such a short period of time and it’s made me so much more resilient and stronger than I thought possible. Our next step is to go house shopping for real! This year we aim to put down a deposit on a little house that is just ours and take one gigantic leap onto the property ladder. I just hope this happy feeling lasts and I’m certainly making the most of it while it’s here. Have you made any 2016 goals for the year ahead?