NYE; Reset & Resolutions 2023

Happy New Year! It’s the first day of 2023 and I’m ready for a reset following a few weeks of fabulous festivities and celebrations this Christmas. Whilst I’ve enjoyed a wonderful holiday season spending lots of cherished time with friends and family, I always crave routine and look forward to getting back into the flow of daily life.

So having seen in the New Year last night with close friends and my boyfriend, I took a quiet few moments on this first day of January to write my resolutions for the year ahead. I always try to make goals on my resolutions list realistic and attainable to avoid feeling disappointed in myself if I don’t achieve them by the end of the year, but equally I want to hold myself accountable for those things I say I am going to do but may have pushed aside in the past.

My list also contains a mixture of specific goals such as starting my PT course and getting a second tattoo, as well as more general actions I would like to take forward into the new year like nurturing relationships and simply just staying sane!

A few days before NYE I also put together my yearly Pinterest vision board for 2023. I love using photos of art, fashion, food, travel and quotes to envision my aspirations and goals as well as gaining inspiration for the kind of aesthetic I picture my life embodying.

Cheers to another year ahead full of achieving more great goals, travelling exciting new places, being grateful for the everyday small things and being present whilst living in the moment with loved ones ❤

Book Club; Let’s Get Reading

It’s been quite some time since I last got stuck into a good book as I’m always using the excuse that I’m too busy. However I believe reading is one of the best forms of self-care as it provides a form of escapism whilst broadening your imagination and building knowledge – not to mention it keeps you away from your phone for longer than 5 minutes! So after an in-depth discussion about all things books with my friend this week, we decided to get motivated to read again with our very own little bookclub. She has already leant me two books of opposite genres she thinks I will enjoy: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes and The Tattooist Of Auschwitz by Heather Morris. I’ve just read the first few chapters of Me Before You and I’m already hooked; I’m so excited to get lost in the fantasy world of a book again! In exchange I will be lending my friend the classic novel of Breakfast At Tiffany’s by Truman Capote as well as the marvellously written Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. I hope to reignite my passion for reading again as my friend and I embark on this spontaneous bookclub idea in which we exchange recommended reads, as well as visit libraries to explore the endless choice of books to discover out there. Of course, this also gives us an excuse for the occasional coffee shop date together to discuss our books and commit to an hour or so of reading too, lost in the narrative as the world passes by around us – how idyllic ❤

My Bubble Bath Moment

Now more than ever, self-care and prioritising our own well-being is crucial to surviving what has been a pretty rubbish year for us all. Whilst I’ve maintained a basic daily routine and kept active everyday in lockdown, I’ve also learnt to let myself rest, relax and just chill the hell out for once in my life!

When it comes to having a daily routine, it’s unattainable to be so strict and aim to live that perfect life every single day, something I’ve often expected of myself. This just results in further stress and disappointment when you’re not feeling up to it and can’t reach ambitious goals set upon yourself. Instead, aim to work towards a simple structure each day and make sure to have a little treat to look forward to too.

I’ve been loving baths lately as they aren’t something I usually have the time to enjoy properly. I set the mood with some scented candles, flowers and my Spotify ‘Chilled Tunes’ playlist for ultimate relaxation. My drink of choice is often a glass of wine as a weekend indulgence, otherwise a comforting mug of tea or hot chocolate is just perfect too.

A truly wonderful winter warmer, this is my heavenly bubble bath moment and I love every second of it ❤

What will be your self-care moment?