9 *Realistic* New Years Resolution’s I learned on holiday

I’m not really a fan of New Year and all that new year, new you malarkey. I think January is hard enough (coming down from the festive period, bills, back to work etc.) that making things harder for yourself by cutting out all your favourite foods, drinks, vices etc. only makes it a much longer and harder month.

Saying that, it doesn’t mean I don’t think it’s a good time to take stock of your life and think about the year ahead and about the things you may want to achieve, do or see to ensure you live life to the fullest as you never know what is around the corner as I discovered last year.

It was while we were on holiday over Christmas that my *realistic* resolutions formed in my head. Taking some much needed time out with my little family and flickering through our daily snaps made me realise what I want to achieve in 2016. 

TO GET UP AND AT ‘EM

I’m not a fan of early mornings. You’d think having a toddler would have put an end to that – and it has sort of! Miss Marnie does wake early but over the last few months if it’s not a pre-school day we lie in bed and watch cartoons till about 8.30-9am.

As lovely as this is – and I sometimes sneak in a few extra winks it really starts our day off slow. We then don’t get dressed till later – if at all – and then the day is gone. Getting up, dressed and out was something we were good at when she was a baby and I got so many errands, chores and jobs done by getting up that little bit earlier.

The dream is to wake early – before Miss M and have half an hour to myself but one step at a time. Maybe if I were waking to this beautiful sunrise it would be easier…

TO EAT AT THE TABLE TOGETHER

Eating at the table, as a family is something I think is really important. We have a small kitchen and a small table and we try to do it every night – but over the last few months we’ve slipped to eating on the sofa, at different times and on the hop. 

Eating together at a table every night made us sit, really take in what we were eating and meant we really talked to each other (this may not have been true of every night with a 3-year old who thought it was fun to switch chairs, go to the ‘toilet’ often (what is that?) and spot her newly made pals).

TO DO MORE THINGS THAT SCARE ME

I wouldn’t say this scared me as such – but going on my very first camel ride which I was a little apprehensive about – proved to me doing something out of the norm is good for you. I also had my picture taken with a Sea lion that planted a kiss on my ear – I was nervous of both these aspects! (See my Instagram for evidence…)

Pushing myself do stuff that I would normally put off as I am a little worried about the outcome (contacting potential employers, saying no, trying new things…) can never really be as bad as not doing it – can it? Face the fear and do it anyway and all that. 

TO EAT LESS AND MOVE MORE

After a week of all-inclusive meals and snacks I have realised how eating too much makes me feel sluggish, unhealthy and uncomfortable. I’m not going to suddenly go on some mad diet (been there, done all, repeat). It’s all about balance. And, moving more. Be that walking rather than taking bus. I have to start somewhere. 

TO READ MORE

Holidays had always meant time to really read before Miss Marnie. One holiday I read about 6 books, which gives you some idea of how much time I laid in the sun and how much I love reading. Of course this all changes when you have a child – but on this holiday I managed to read. Like a whole book.

Granted it was when Miss M was either napping, at the children’s club or in the pool with Mr. VIB – but it has awoken my love of reading and how I need to make time for this as and when I can.

TO SWITCH OFF MORE

By this I mean my switch of my phone. While away we could only get WIFI connection while in the main bar near reception. This was a good and bad thing.

BAD because it meant I had to move from the beach/pool/restaurant to text, post to Instagram or check out Facebook. Because as much as I hate to admit it I found it really hard to completely stop doing this (I can’t be the only person who does this on holiday!)

GOOD It made me realise how much time I am spending (wasting?) on my phone when I should be enjoying doing something in the present, seeing what’s in front of me and generally looking up…and smelling the roses (Bougainvillea) as it were.

Being able to only check my phone a few times a days was the wake up call I needed.

TO NOT SAVE THINGS FOR BEST

These shoes has been sat in my wardrobe for no other reason than I had nowhere to wear them. The truth is just putting them on gives you a reason to wear them somewhere. I have far too many pieces of clothing and accessories waiting for a perfect day, when I am thinner, when I go somewhere ‘special’  – just wear the damn things you love everyday.

I was also doing the same thing with Miss M’s shoes and really don’t want her clothes and accessories to sit and wait (as she will grow out of them before we go ever go ‘anywhere’ special.)

TO PUT MYSELF N THE FRAME MORE

Looking back over my pictures has made me see how many I avoid being in. As much as I want to be in pictures with Mr. VIB and Miss M – I often stay behind the camera. I’m not sure why – a lack of confidence mainly.

But, I really don’t want Miss M to look back and see me missing from our family photos as my mum is from many of my childhood picts (due to her lack of confidence having her picture taken too.) I wouldn’t care what my mum looked like in the pictures now (or then) and I’m sure Miss M won’t when she is older.

This doesn’t mean I am suddenly going to start taking selfies left, right and centre – but putting myself in the picture sometimes would be a start.

TO ENJOY THE SIMPLE THINGS

This picture is just after Miss M had *pushed* daddy into the pool. The belly laugh in this picture makes me smile so much. It has proved that no amount of money, toys or things make a child more happy than your time.

Obviviouly, we had a lot of time together on holiday and it just reinforced that we need to carve out  simpler ‘family time’ for each other this year.

And, with that HAPPY NEW YEAR!

*Special thanks for sticking with me in 2015 – reading, sharing 

and leaving comments it truly does mean a lot.