7 More Things For 2017

Hello everyone and Happy New Year! Thank god the curse of 2016 is over eh?

This time last year, I wrote a blog post titled '16 Things For 2016' where I wrote a list of 16 things that I wanted to achieve or get better at throughout the course of the year. Although 2016 as whole seemed to play out a tad sh*t (I will never watch Harry Potter the same way again) from a personal perspective 2016 hasn't been to bad... I can happily say I have achieved a solid 14 out of the 16 things from my list, granted there's a few I still need to improve (such as drinking more water) but I am overall pleased with what I have achieved. I started a new job in January, moved away from home, started university, completed all of my assignments and above all, for the first time in a long time, had complete control over my anxiety in what happened to be the busiest year of my life. I'd say that's a pretty good year!

With the success of 2016 in mind, I wanted to do something similar this year that will hopefully go just was well, hence 7 More Things For 2017.

One - Prep Meals

Since starting university in September, I have slowly but surely become sick of my go to meals. I tend to just throw on whatever I have in my cupboards, whether it is a can of soup or some pasta, either way losing enthusiasm and creativity. To avoid this, this year I want to specifically put aside some time in a week to prepare meals as planning meals and portion sizes tends to be an overall healthier, more rewarding option.

Two - Tone Up

Although I do want to loose a little weight, this pointer in not necessarily about that. This year I especially want to tone up and become physically stronger starting my first week back at university. Alongside getting a new gym facility, my timetable will have gone down a few extra hours this semester that I intend to take full advantage of.

Three - Be Spontaneous

On the small occasion I have had a panic attack in 2016, they have mostly been as a result of doing something completely out of my comfort zone. However, the combination of my job and moving away to university have both pushed me to say yes to new experiences that have overall had great outcomes that I only wish to continue and thrive in in 2017.

Four - Travel More

This might seem a little predictable but yes, as a part of my 2017 list I wish to travel more, even if it is only local day trips. The possibility of visiting both Scotland and New York with my family are already being discussed as well as a possible city break to Amsterdam with a few of my friends from university. Exciting!!

Five - Keep In Contact

This year I really want to regain and continue to keep up long distant relationships with friends. As we are all experiencing university and living away from home for the first time, sometimes it can become a little difficult to remain as close as you once were, however this doesn't mean I want to loose these friendships all together. As a result, we have already set a few dates aside to visit one another and I'm sure Skype will be used in the mean time.

Six - Reach Out

Alongside friends' afar, I also want to ensure that I am available for friends a little closer to home that on occasion I have taken for granted and that might need checking up on every once and a while, just as they have done for me.

Seven - Focus

Finally for 2017, I hope to continue gaining confidence, focus on my studies, my wellbeing and so hopefully this time next year I will have achieved all of my aspirations, ready to set new ones as an even happier version of myself.