My New Year's Resolutions (with the best of intentions)

Last year my New Year's resolution was 'to be better'. I'm not sure that I ever truly understood what I really meant by that other than that I wanted to improve every aspect of my life in one fair swoop. I had a vague idea that it would include everything from getting up earlier to reading more, dabbling in the Welsh language to becoming some kind of vegetable-loving, meditating, eco-friendly woman of the world who also puts time and effort into getting her hair to lie flat and wears good shoes.

Clearly this was not a good resolution. It was way too vague and ridiculous. I couldn't keep up with all the different aspects of it, partially because they changed from one day to the next. This year I'm going to set myself a list of clear cut, attainable goals with the best of intentions (which, as we know, the road to Hell is paved with) and I'm sharing them with you guys so that I'll feel more obligated to actually get up and do them.

"...those teeny tiny shorts..."

1. Lose the vast amount of weight I gained while I was at university

According to a quick Google search I literally just did, (ever the in-depth researcher) the average student gains 2 stone during their first year at university. At least I'm not alone then. But this year I'm determined to get myself back into those teeny tiny shorts. And this time I mean it. Really.

2. Spend less time sat in front of the TV/ Pinterest/ Facebook

I will be the first to admit that today was a total fail in this particular area. I got home from work, sat down in front of the TV, opened up Facebook and Pinterest on my laptop and haven't moved since. But I'm determined to cut down on the number of hours of my life I spend looking up Nutella recipes, stalking old school friends and getting overly involved in Judge Judy. Instead I will spend my time doing productive, life-enhancing-type things.
Eg:

• Reading
• Learning a fun, albeit pointless, craft
• Practising pilates (without falling over)
• Watching educational documentaries (note to self: Big Rich Texas does not count)

3. Dedicate more time to my blog and Youtube channel

Sometimes it's hard to think of things to write about. Especially during times when I inadvertently become a hermit and don't leave the house or do anything noteworthy for an entire week at a time. But this year I'm challenging myself to write at least one post a week. Hopefully this will, in turn, force me to change out of my pjs and go and seek adventure.

4. Travel more

I pride myself on being fairly well travelled. Alas, last year I really didn't go very far. This year I want to get back into the swing of travelling, even if it's only the odd weekend trip to somewhere in England.That said I'm itching for another big adventure trip so hopefully I'll be able to throw something exciting together for the summer.

5. Experience new things

Yesterday I was reading through an old diary of mine and I found a list I'd written on New Year's Eve 2012 of all the new things I wanted to experience in the upcoming year. They were, almost without exception, pointless and ridiculous. That said, it's always good to do new things, even if those things are insignificant in the grand scheme of life as well as very odd. So I'm going to write up some new things to try this year and I'm adding all the things I'd listed back in 2012 that I never got around to doing. If I set myself 52 (grossly optimistic) then I'll have one for every week of the year...

• Bake home-made bread 
• Watch the sunrise on the beach
• Try Zumba
• Finally run that 5k (fingers crossed for no more injuries)
• Learn to play chess
• Climb Snowdon (regretting that one already)
• Read a book on a subject I know absolutely nothing about
• Pick some blackberries (preferably in a basket like a character out of an Enid Blighton book)
• Go on a ghost tour

Throw-backs from 2012:

• Watch When Harry Met Sally
• Face my fear of cows (why would I write that?)
• Go to Stone Henge
• Go to see the dinosaur footprints on The Bendricks 
• Try ballroom dancing (this can only end badly)
• Do the Challenge Valley in Clyne Farm
• Watch Green Mile
• Read A Picture of Dorian Gray
• Go somewhere with a clear sky and look at the stars
• Sleep naked
• In one day take a picture of something starting with each letter of the alphabet (I have no idea where I was going with this one)
• Go Ape!

Obviously that's not the full 52, but it's difficult to come up with 52 fun, challenging and attainable things in one sitting. I promise I will update you when the list is finished and, the fun part is, I'll post each time I cross something off the list!

There's no backing out now...