I don’t make new year’s resolutions any more. Instead, I’ve entered into 2019 with intentions about what I want from this year, and equally, what I don’t want. As the saying goes, ‘start as you mean to go on’, and with any luck, taking this approach will set the tone for what I hope will be a great year.

I will not spread myself too thinly.

I took on a lot of different things last year, all because I’m passionate about what I do and I get carried away with an idea. That’s all well and good, but I can’t do everything and the main lesson I learned, was to focus on one thing at a time and allow myself to give that my all.

Knowing my strengths.

I truly believe in my creative writing club, Storymakers and its importance. Being a writer is one thing, but being able to share my passion for writing with children, and in particular, with children who have lost that sense of what it means to be creative with words, gives me a huge sense of satisfaction.

Learning acceptance.

There are certain things that are beyond my control and that I can’t change. Accepting this has greatly reduced my anxiety and brought with it a sense of calm I haven’t felt in a long time.

Speaking out.

I have a long way to go with this one, as it means changing a well-ingrained habit. However, I have to learn to be better at speaking out if something’s bothering me, or someone’s upset me.

Knowing it’s ok to be an introvert.

But don’t be a hermit! I’ve pulled away from people and felt more comfortable inside the four walls of my home than outside of them. Where once I enjoyed socialising, I now dread the idea of a crowded room full of people I don’t know, but I realise that’s ok. I don’t have to be that person, you know, the one who can walk into a room and command everyone’s attention. I feel more at ease having accepted this, rather than trying to make myself be someone I’m not. At the same time, I’m trying to make sure I make time to see my friends.

Practicing gratitude.

For me, sitting down to write is a way of reflecting on the things that are going on around me and in my life. It makes perfect sense for me, then, to keep a gratitude journal by way of a habit. I don’t know why I haven’t done this before, but it’s something I hope to continue.

Exercising a little self care.

I started doing yoga at home as a way of helping ease the chronic neck and shoulder pain I suffer with. And whilst it’s certainly helped with this, I’ve begun to realise the benefits of yoga for focusing the mind. Now I find I’m enjoying it just as much, if not more, as a way of blocking out everything else and ‘letting go of anything that’s not serving you’ as the lady on YouTube says!

Last year, I set goals for reducing our plastic waste and though the changes have been small, we’ve kept them up and have since added plastic free shampoo, conditioner and deodorant to our list. One thing I found frustrating though, was how little we can do if the manufacturers aren’t prepared to make major changes in the way they package their products. Hopefully, things will begin to change this year. Watch this space!

Have you set intentions for this year and if so, what are they?