Wow, Christmas has now been and gone and we are nearly at the end of the school holidays - can you believe all that build up for two days, all that shopping, wrapping, sticking, baking and of course eating and as we prepare to enter 2017 I shall see in this season at least half a stone heavier. Grrrrr. Oh, go on then, just one more Lindt ball.
I am currently sitting in the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan reminiscing on what a year 2016 has been. 2016 saw the loss of so many great people with more recently one of my childhood idols, Mr George Michael, another one taken too young. This year also saw the world being robbed of two mothers of friends of mine who again were taken too soon. So, as I sit here reflecting on the year I look to next year and what that year will hold but full of optimism of what I hope it will become.
Every January I start the year with great intentions - I think we all do really, so, I thought I would share with you my "to do list" for next year.
1. Shed a stone. At least.
I have been long saying that I want to get my body back to where it was pre baby and everytime I do something comes up that seems to stop me in my tracks, usually chocolate, cake or my ever expanding dessert stomach. This changes here. I am rejoining my local Slimming World with the determination to lose at least a stone, and I will by my holiday to Greece in July.
2. Scrapping negative thoughts - positive affirmations from here on.
I have been reading a lot about "The Secret" and about changing the way I think. 2017 will be about positive thinking and reflection about how grateful I am for the life that I have. Positive mind, positive thoughts.
3. New job.
On January 4th I will return to work having taken the last two months off and will return to a full time job. I am going to work at a boarding school which will see me working everyday term time only. I will be honest, as much as I am very excited about starting my new role I am also concerned about how returning to work full time will impact on my family life and life in general but the knowledge that I am only every six - seven weeks away from a week away with my family will see me through.
4. Make by blog BIGGER and BETTER
Since starting the blog in September 2015 I have to say I have loved every minute of it. I enjoy the writing, the working with brands and the interaction I have with my instagram friends and friends I have made though my blog. In 2017 I want to make my blogger bigger and better. I want to work with more brands that I love. In an ideal world I would love my blog to take me and the family to new and exciting places. I have recently started my YouTube channel (click here ) and will do more vlogs in 2017 too. This is the year for my blog.
5. Be more organised.
I say this every year. I am going to do my washing every day as opposed to waiting for it all to build up which at this point I turn into Dot Cotton f'ing and blinding about how much sodding washing I've got to do. A little bit every day should do it, ish. I am also going to do my Tesco online shopping religiously which will lead to less waste, more savings and me generally having to get my arse in gear with meal planning which will aid point 1, of the weight loss! I am also going to actually do my photobooks this year month by month rather than by waiting till December to then sort through ALL the years pics which always stresses me out!
6. Be less of a nag.
I am very aware that I am a very naggy individual. My mother (love her dearly) has passed down to me the ability to set standards that no normal human being could every achieve. I will in 2017 learn to get less stressed about whether that cup that's been sitting on the side for the last hour will ever make it to the dishwasher and I will try to remember that I don't have to ask Tom ten hundred times to do something.
I was thinking of a number 7 but to be honest 6 is plenty and the chances of me sticking to 1-6 are slim to none but I always think it is best to be think positively!
So, here is to 2017, I look forward to welcoming you with open arms and embracing all the challenges that you have for me. Bring. It. On.
Nathalie x
