Welcome 2015!
In reflection to 2014, so much has happened, big and small. From the birth of Maddy's baby brother (my wonderful son James) to the opening of my Youtube Channel and this blog. So many achievements, so many goals hit and some missed, but putting that all aside, the things I've learnt, the things I've achieved and gone through in 2014 will be carried out to 2015.
There are two types of people that emerge when the New Year starts making it's appearance - those that make resolutions and those that don't. This year I've, unlike the past, decided to be the one that does make resolutions.
Why? Because I have made resolutions that I really (with a major passion) want to make adjustments on - thing's that are realistically tangible in my life.
So in saying that, you got it right! This post is completely and utterly about my 2015 New Year Resolutions.
Leaving all the drama and bullshit of 2014 behind and getting pumped and excited to start 2015 on a good foot.
For the last few months I've been noting down on my phone all the things and aspects of my life I want to improve and change.
Spend More Time With The Family
12 Surprises
This is pretty much a concept my husband and I came up with. At the beginning of December we had written down 12 different family activities, one for each month, from picnic at the park to orange picking. Each family activity kept in it's own envelope. At the beginning of each month we will randomly pick an envelope and the family activity written in that envelope will be the "family outing" or "Surprise" that we do once in that month (time will be planned after revealing the activity). We thought it would be the perfect planned surprise, something which all family members can participate and enjoy in.
Swimming Lessons
Not for the parents, but for our kids. Time and time again we had always said we'd put the kids into some swimming lessons, but never got around to it. This year I've made priority to put them into some swimming classes in which the parents can also join in!
Arts/Crafts and Baking
I've always baked and done arts and crafts with my kids, but who are we kidding? I'd only do it once in a blue moon, this year I really want my kids to get tactical and get some creativity on their hands. Goodness knows I need my daughter to learn that youtube on my phone isn't the only thing to do around the house.
So I've planned either an Arts/Crafts or baking activity to be done at least once a week. It's a wonderful way for me and the kids to bond and a fantastic way for them to get grubby!
Gardening
This year I plan on finally getting onto that herb garden that I keep telling my self I will do, but this time I want my kids to get involved! I feel that they are old enough (well my daughter is) to take responsibility of watering a plant (lol.)
Improve Thy Self
Lose 13 kgs
So at the end of 2014 I had gone all stricto barbaro and went on the body builders diet, which resulted in me losing 13 kgs in 5 weeks (10kgs short of my ultimate goal). This year I want to continue that diet and lose another 13 kgs.
Knowledge Is Gold
I'm pretty sure a lot can agree with me, that when you get stuck into a daily routine you start feeling like your going a bit brain dead and you crave to read a book. No? I'm the only one? lol.
Well this year I plan on going back to the old Vanessa and start reading books again. From fiction to non fiction. From the bible to a romance novel, I aim to get some knowledge into my brain and start making it function again.
Giving
I want my kids to be raised in a manner as I was by my father - "Giving will never hurt you". This year we've made it a priority to start giving back to the world, the people in need. From charity work to just giving a helping hand to our neighbor. I want my family and I to get more involved, not just involved where you shove $1 down a charity bucket at your Mc Donalds cash register (which still helps a lot) and call it a day.
Me Time
For years I always thought, if I was caught sitting down on the couch while there is still laundry to be done, or if I paint my nails and dinner wasn't on the table on time, that I was a bad mother and a bad wife. No matter how many times my husband told me to chill and just relax on the couch, I just couldn't let myself do that.
This year I want to really focus on relaxing and allowing myself to indulge once in awhile. Paint my nails, go get a massage, get my eyebrows done, you know... not be too scared to let my husband tackle the kids on for a couple of hours.
I have to remember this, and I also want to let other mothers know... "when a woman has time off, it does not make her a bad mother... it makes her a happy one."
Quantity Over Quality
If you know me, you'll know very well that I'm the type of person who would rather buy 3 pairs of shoes on sale with $50, than the one $50 pair I've had my eyes out on for awhile but could never justify on buying. This year I plan on reversing that.
I really want to love the things I own, rather than purchase them because their a cheaper "dupe".
Not saying that I'm not going to dip my fingers into a good SES sale (or dip my entire fist), but I don't want to be afraid of spending $30 on a handbag that I really want and always just settle on a cheaper $15 one that looked similar (similar meaning just the same color, and yes I've done this so many times).
I am really going to lock down and just save for the real deal than buy the cheaper alternative.
Spirituality
When you feel like there's no answer, turn to god. There were so many times in 2014 where I felt like I had no where or no options, where I felt like I had no hope, then a friend said one simple word to me that my father use to always say "Pray". That simple word alone gave me so much courage and reminded me that even though I felt like I had lost control of certain aspects of my life, that there is a greater, higher power with full control. Who understands and sees what I am facing and how I am feeling.
This year I really need to strengthen my faith in god, in my sisterhood to my church and really focus on spirituality. After all, when all your possessions are taken away from you... what else are you left with?
Organize Smorganize
Time Management
To be honest, I've already got really good time management skills (claps for myself), but I really need improvements on managing time out for myself. I need to remember that along with the "laundry", "wash the baby bottles" and "prepare the dinner" on my to do list, I have to put down "sit down and eat lunch".
Stick to Plans
I think one main reason why I sometimes felt that I had too much on my plate was because along with my "To Do" list I would randomly add things here and there, thus, my to do list just never seemed to end. This year I want to just stick to what's on my To Do list for the day and that's it.
Organize The House
I'm talking about the-whole-nine-yards. A cluttered environment = a cluttered mind, and considering I spend 99% of my weeks at home, I need it to be organized and everything to have it's own place.
Blogging vs. Vlogging
- Blog at least once a week.- Thrive to do daily vlogs more daily... rather than sporadically
- Upload a beauty/mommy/cooking/DIY video more frequently (twice a month to the very least).
Okay guys, so this pretty much sums up my resolutions for 2015. I hope you all the best of luck if you have any and remember... cut yourself some slack! So tell me... have you guys set yourself any resolutions for 2015?
Thanks for reading!
Love Vanessa.
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