My Goals and Resolutions For 2017

I've never been one to set myself huge, unrealistic new year's resolutions that I'll never be able to achieve, like shedding half my body weight overnight, gaining fame and fortune, scaling Ben Nevis blind-folded, or trekking solo across Antarctica in my undies. None of that will happen, so where's the fun in setting myself up for failure?

Instead, I prefer to set myself smaller, attainable goals that I should be able to achieve if I put in the effort. Things I want to do or improve on, creative projects I want to try, places I want to visit, experiences I want to have, stuff I need to do to sort my life out, blog goals... that sort of thing. I find I achieve a hell of a lot more that way.

This year, I've set myself quite a few goals, but I'm confident I can achieve them all if I stay focused, make time, and put in the effort. I thought I'd share some of them with you today, so here they are.

Go For An Eye Test and Get New Glasses

I've not had an eye test or new glasses in over five years, and my vision has become worryingly blurry lately (and I've always had terrible eyesight, so that's saying something), so getting my arse down to Specsavers this morning is a priority. I'm looking forward to getting some new glasses and actually being able to see clearly again!

Get A Hair Cut

It's been over three years since my last hair cut, so I desperately need to get myself down to the hair dresser's ASAP, too. My hair is now past my waist and apart from looking like a bedraggled mess, the length is driving me mad, and becoming too high maintenance- it takes an hour and a half just to wash and dry it! It's time to get it cut back in to a bob and make my life so much easier.

Put 110% In To Health Care

Right now, I have no idea what 2017 has in store for me in terms of health care, but what I do know is that I'm going to give everything suggested by my doctors my best shot, because a) I have nothing to lose, and b) I deserve nothing less. I deserve to put the effort in for myself.

Read More

I didn't read anywhere near as many books as I would've liked last year, so this year I want to dedicate more time to reading, and also attempt to work my way through my mammoth to-be-read pile. I'm not setting myself a target, but I'm hoping to finish at least a couple a month.

Craft More

I feel so content when I'm making things with my own two hands, so I want to craft regularly in 2017, and try lots of new crafts, like crocheting, embroidery, jewellery making, needle-felting, decoupaging, and all kinds of other fun stuff. I just want to make things.

Make More Hoop Art

I really enjoyed making Christmas fabric hoop art in December, so I'm itching to make heaps more in both festive and non-festive fabrics. I'd love to make enough to create an epic wall feature above my bookcase.

Paint Again

It's been years since I last did any painting, so I'd like to dig out my art supplies this year, and see if I can improve my watercolour and oil painting skills. I'm not at all gifted when it comes to art, but it was something I used to really enjoy, and that's all that really matters at the end of the day, right?

Improve On My Photography and Photo Editing

My photography and photo editing skills need a lot of improvement, and being a perfectionist, it really bugs me that I can't get them to a quality I'm happy with, or to look the way I want them to. It's the main reason why I often go days without blogging. I can spend days trying to edit a few photos and still not get them right, so I either end up posting shit photos, or don't blog at all. I need to get a new camera, learn to use it better, look in to getting blog lights, and also polish my editing skills. Being able to see clearly might also help.

Keep On Top Of Blog Comments and Emails

I completely failed at keeping up with and replying to comments and emails last year, and I know it's not good enough. I'm actually quite ashamed of myself for letting it slide, but I vow to catch up soon (once I have new glasses and can look at the screen without my eyes burning) and reply regularly once I have. I want to be reliable and far more interactive with you guys again.

Blog Outfits Again

I had hoped to get back to blogging outfits regularly last year, but that never happened, mostly because my next door neighbours had builders working on their extension all year and I didn't feel comfortable with the idea of snapping photos with an audience. I also didn't have the funds for many new outfits, and struggled with liking my appearance after gaining a few pounds, which contributed to the lack of outfit photos. Once the builders have finished next door, I'm hoping to get back in to the swing of things, and share outfits again whenever I feel up to it, because I genuinely miss blogging about them.

Blog Regularly and Improve My Content
Last year, I blogged less than ever before, and I wasn't able to blog about all the things I wanted to, mostly because of photography difficulties, and being too ill to take photos often. I had so many ideas for posts and even wrote drafts for many of them that I was unable to finish. It was so frustrating, and I wasn't happy with my blog last year at all. So, this year, I want to do my best to blog regularly with lots of fresh and interesting content- more fashion, more beauty, more lifestyle, more crafts I make, places I visit, more reviews of products I use, more posts on health care and chronic illness, more favourites, more everything.

Give The Blog A Make Over

The blog is long over due a redesign, and I think it's about time I did a complete over-haul; it's a mess. I just need to decide what I want it to look like... I have a feeling this could take a while!

Rename My Blog

I've hated the name of my blog for years, and I think it's about time I changed it to something that doesn't make me cringe every time I see / read / think about it, and to something that's less of a mouthful. I think 2017 will be the year of the rebrand.

Continue Training Rosie

My one year old Tibetan terrier pup Rosie still needs some more training to shape her in to the perfect family pet, particularly with recall, giving up things she shouldn't have (though she does drop her toys on command), and not jumping all over people sitting on the sofas, so I'm going to step up my game, and commit to guiding her there until we've cracked it. I know she'll get there.

Shop For Christmas Presents Throughout The Year

I want to pick up birthday and Christmas presents for my family and friends throughout the year, whenever I find the perfect gift. I did this last year, and it not only helped spread the cost and make me feel super organised, but it turned out to be a life saver come Christmas time when I had some unexpected financial stress, so I want to keep shopping this way from now on. No more last-minute shopping stress for me!

Stay Out Of My Overdraft

Over the last few years, I've gotten in to a bad habit of dipping in to my overdraft, and in all honesty, most of the time it's been for frivolous things I didn't even need and could've lived without. Now that I've cleared it, I'm determined to stay out of it as much as possible, and only use it for essentials or emergencies, y'know, like a proper adult.

Pay Off My Store Card

I'm hoping to pay off the remaining balance on my Dorothy Perkins store card, and then only use it for outfit emergencies (IE: if I need something to wear for a funeral or wedding, or my last pair of leggings / bra / knickers / other essential falls apart). No more using it for things I want but don't need and can't afford.

Go On More Adventures and Explore New Places Locally
It's unlikely that I'll be able to travel widely or go on holiday this year, but whenever my health will allow it, I want to get out of the house, visit new places (and maybe some old faves, too), do some exploring, and have a little fun. There are so many places I've never visited or explored properly close to home, so I want to work on changing that. I'd just like more adventures, more days out, more random road trips, more concert adventures, more cemetery exploration, more time in the country and in the city... basically just a little more time out of the house living in the real world. More living. Maybe even a trip in to London or down to the beach if I can manage it, but that's probably a little too ambitious.

Some Places I'd Like To Visit in 2017

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Blenheim Palace.

The Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers museums in Oxford.

Christchurch, Oxford.

The Cotswold Wildlife Park.
Birdland in Bourton-on-the-Water.
Broadway, The Cotswolds.
A local bluebell woods, when it flowers in the Spring.

Arundel and Arundel Castle.

And perhaps most importantly, I need to take life one day at a time, make the best of every day, try not to push myself beyond my limits, look after myself, and try not to stress about the future too much.

What are your new year's resolutions?

New Year, New Resolutions

I don't usually set myself big New Year's resolutions because in the past I've rarely seen them through. Instead, I prefer to set myself lots of small attainable goals in the form of a 101 Things in 1001 Days list and similar kinds of lists. However, this New Year I'm feeling unusually ambitious, motivated, and inspired, and hopeful for the year ahead (maybe I'm ill??), and for the first time, I've set myself a big list of goals I plan to work towards in 2015! Here are just some of them...

Blogging

1. Reply to all unanswered messages.
Firstly, I am going to sit down and reply to all of my lovely blog comments and emails. I got so behind with them in 2014 that it became harder and harder to catch up, and it all got away from me. I'm mortified and I know I've been a terrible blogger over the last year.

2. Keep on top of all comments, messages and emails during 2015 after I've checked off goal 1.
Once I've caught up, I am going to do my best to keep on top of all comments and messages in 2015, with the aim to reply to everything within a couple of days- unless I'm away from home or my health prevents me from blogging.

3. Become a better organised blogger.
I need to become better organised, with more posts scheduled in advance to take the pressure of when I don't feel up to blogging, or come down with a case of writer's block. I need to use my time better so I can leave fewer days in between posts, and just become a better blogger overall.

4. Blog more outfit posts and go back to my roots!
I'm going to do my best to share more outfits on the blog this year. I only managed about twenty OOTD posts in 2014, which is so pitiful- especially considering I created this blog to share my outfits! It was unavoidable because of my health, but I hope to push through the pain as much as possible to go back to the roots of my blog.

5. Share more manicures and make up looks.
I also aim to go back to featuring more manicures and make up looks like I did back in 2012. I barely blogged either in 2014, even though my nails are always painted, and I wore some gorgeous make up.

6. Improve on self promotion.
I plan to work on promoting my blog posts better and regularly on social media, and to try to have more confidence in my work so that self-promotion isn't so scary. I need to have more faith in myself.

7. More interaction with you guys!
I'd like to interact with all you lovely people more through social media, and to better connect myself with the blogging community. 

8. Use Instagram regularly.
I'm also going to do my best to post snippets of my day on Instagram at least every few days, if not daily. I'm not sure how well I'll manage this one without getting out and about a bit more, though...

Health

9. Give physiotherapy and other hospital treatments everything I've got.
I'm determined to put 110% in to physiotherapy and any other therapy or treatments I'm given, so whatever happens, whether I get better or not, I'll know I've given everything my best shot. At least I'll be able to say I tried. 

10. Work on balance and re-strengthening my legs.
I need to do my best to strengthen my legs. Three years plus of being house-bound, combined with strong medication, and constant pain have all taken their toll on my legs. They're so weak they shake constantly, and my balance is also shot to hell. I'm going to work on balance exercises, and if it's safe for me to do so, do self-hydrotherapy at my local pool. Time for a chat with my new physiotherapist, I think.

11. Try to get out of bed more.
The constant pain from all my spinal problems is so crippling that I struggle to stay out of bed for long, and can often be stuck in it for days on end, only leaving it for bathroom breaks. It's no way to live. I'm going to push myself to get out of bed as often as I can, and to stay out of it for as long as I can bare.

12. Get out more.
I'm going to do my best to get out and about more, even if it's just in to the garden. I need fresh air, Vitamin D, and fun experiences for the sake of my sanity! I want some sort of a life back.

13. Continue to push myself through the pain and to my limits.
To achieve 11 and 12, I need to work harder on pushing myself through the pain. It's something I already do on a daily basis, but I need to try to keep pushing myself to my limits and not just allow myself to succumb to the pain so easily.

14. Do my best to eat healthier.
In 2014, my body wasn't the healthiest. I suffered a lot of stomach complaints from food intolerances on a regular basis, and the smell of a lot of dishes left me feeling nauseated, which I think is probably to do with my medication. It left me with a limited diet, and I mostly got by on just one meal a day throughout the year. This wasn't a healthy way for me to live, even when I was eating healthy, nutritious food. I also gained a little weight in 2014 (being bed ridden makes that pretty unavoidable), which has left me feeling a bit crap about myself. I've no intention of going on a crash diet to drop loads of weight, but I would like to lose those extra pounds that joined me last year. I want to take better care of myself; to eat healthier, with more nutritious food, less of the foods that make me ill, and to eat more than one meal a day.

15. Work on improving my body confidence.
I feel like I've taken a few steps back on my quest for body-confidence these last few months, but I plan to continue working on it. I especially need to work on baring my legs in public this summer without feeling so self-conscious and worried about being laughed at.

Financial

16. Get out of my over draft and stop using it for non-essentials.
This was one of my goals of 2014, and I failed 100%. I'm going to work on clearing it, and stop dipping in to it for things I don't actually need. It's become such a bad habit and I need to stop.

17. Pay off my Dotty P store card.
Like number fifteen, I'm going to clear the small existing debts, and stop using it for non essentials- especially if I can't afford to pay the bill off within a fortnight.

18. Stop shopping to make myself happy.
I need to curb my habit of shopping (especially impulsively online) as a way to fill the holes in my life. I've come to realise that I buy lovely things to cheer myself up when I'm blue, lonely, and struggling with the pain, and as a way to cope with the hand I've been dealt in life. It needs to stop!

19. Pick up birthday and Christmas presents throughout the year.
I plan to spread the cost and pick up presents over the course of the year to save myself the financial stress of buying everything in one go, and also so I won't feel as disorganised as I did this Christmas. It stressed me out big time! I've added six gifts to the present stash this week, so I'm off to a good start with this one already!

Creative

20. Learn how to crochet a blanket.
I've wanted to learn how to make a granny-square blanket for years, so I should stop holding off, and give it a shot this year!

21. Improve my photography and photo editing.
I'm one of those people who almost always has a camera in hand because I just love taking photos wherever I go. My photography has definitely improved a lot since starting this blog three years ago, but I want to work on improving it this year. I don't have a fancy DSLR, just a decent point-and-shoot with manual settings I want to learn how to use. (I rely on the auto button waaaay too much). I'd also like to work on improving my photo editing and learn a few tricks for best results.

22. Get off my laptop more.

This is pretty self-explanatory; spend less time on my laptop and more time living in the real world. I failed at this for much of 2014, but I'm going to make the effort to spend more time being present. I also want to disconnect more so I can spend more time reading, creative writing, and crafting instead of sitting on my laptop all day.

Adventures

23. Go on more adventures.
I love to visit new places, sight-see, and explore, so whenever I feel up to a couple of hours up and about, I'd like to spend that energy outdoors visiting new places local to me.

24. Celebrate my 30th Birthday.
This July, I'll be turning 30, which is something I'm not particularly looking forward to. I haven't achieved anything in life. To save myself from having a mental breakdown on my birthday, I think I need to mark it somehow- not just by spending the day stuck in bed. While I can't celebrate in style in New York as I'd hoped a few years ago, I like the idea of spending the night in London, going for afternoon tea somewhere fancy, and catching a show at the theatre- or doing something along those lines. A big party or clubbing isn't my thing (I'm shy, introverted, and hate being the centre of attention), and I will only be able to cope with a few hours away from the hotel bed, but I want to at least do something nice to cushion the blow of turning thirty. I never celebrated my 18th or 21st properly and I've always regretted it; I don't want to look back on my thirtieth the same way.

25. Make it to At Least One Concert and Musical.
These are two of my favourite things to do, so I hope to see at least one of each, but as many as health and finances allow. I miss this part of my old life.

I've never felt so ambitious at the turn of a new year before, so I've surprised even myself with this long list of goals! I could keep adding more, but I think you've all suffered enough with this long post of twenty-five!

If you've made it through all of my ramblings, you're awesome, and thanks for sticking with me!

Have you got any goals for the year ahead?