It’s that time of year when I look back at the last 12 months and look forward to the next.

I recently reflected on the last 12 months, so it’s time to focus on the year ahead.

I’m not one for making New Year’s resolutions. Resolutions sound like they should involve giving things up. So I’m putting my own spin on things.

Below, you’ll find 5 things I would either like to achieve, take a break from, or improve on in 2019:

 I will be cutting down on my social media time.

Facebook, Twitter, 2 Instagram accounts, Snapchat, Whatsapp, Pinterest, LinkedIn. While there are some apps I wouldn’t be without, do I really need to use them all? And do I really need two Instagram accounts? This week alone, I have spent over 7 hrs on Facebook and Instagram, which is crazy. I could’ve achieved so much more with those 7 hours! So from January, I will be:

• Deactivating my Facebook account,
• Taking a 6-month break from my personal Instagram account,
• And, taking a break from Linkedin. 

Taking these actions should free up some time to focus on other things that will make a difference. Things like reading more books and finding a class to join to meet new people and make new friends. After 6 months, I will reflect on whether I have missed these apps. And if I end up going back on, I will find a way to use them more mindfully.

I want to find some London friends.

Ok, so I have been saying this for a few years, but in 2019, I really need to take action. I have some lovely friends, but not many of them live in London. I can’t just pop out for a drink with them on a Friday night, or grab dinner after work mid-week. I love spending time on my own, but, I love to be sociable too. Just before Christmas this year, I went to a wreath-making workshop. Whilst I didn’t exchange details with anyone, it did give me hope. So in 2019, I’m going to put myself out there. I’m going to enrol onto some courses, learn some new skills, and hopefully, make some new friends.

I want to eat healthier and exercise more.

I wouldn’t say I have an awful diet. But I have spent the last couple of years eating a lot of curry and naan bread. Now I will be cooking for one again, I will have greater control over my diet. I want to eat a wider variety of foods. I want my plate to have more colour. I want to try new dishes. What I don’t want to do is give up my favourite foods, however ‘bad’ they may be. What I am going to do though, is make sure I eat everything in moderation.

When it comes to exercise, I love walking, but I struggle to fit this into the working week. Once the nights get lighter I will get out more in the evenings. But I need to find something to do in the meantime. I live between two big parks, so I have no excuse not to go for a run at the weekends. I lift weights and do strength exercises at home three times a week. But I need to do something that gets my heart racing. I would love to join the gym, but the nature of my job restricts me from creating a regular routine. So, in 2019, I want to continue to work on my strength and start jogging around my local park.

I want to travel more

I have always longed to travel, but I’ve either never had the money or the courage to do it. Money is still tight especially as I face renting on my own for the first time. But what I do have is a lot more courage. Ever since I went on my first solo holiday in 2016, I’ve dreamt of taking another trip. So yesterday, rather than wait for the New Year, I booked my first holiday of 2019. In February, I’ll be heading to the Algarve in Portugal. I can’t wait to explore somewhere new, catch up on some reading, eat good food, and do some more writing. Hopefully, this will be the first of many adventures to come in 2019.

I want to focus on my wellbeing and self-care.

It’s only been in the last 6 months that I’ve become more aware of the need to look after myself. And not just physically, but mentally too. There have been many times over the last 3 years, where I’ve neglected my wellbeing. Work has often left me with little free time to do the things I enjoy. It has left me exhausted and mentally drained. This has to change in 2019. In the last 6 months, I have learnt a lot about myself. Yet there is still so much more to discover. I want to spend 2019 learning more wellbeing, mindfulness and self-care techniques to find out what works best for me.

These ‘resolutions’ shouldn’t be too difficult to achieve with a little bit of motivation and determination. But, if I get these right, they could really change my life. 

So much of the last three years have been focused on work and other people. It’s time to shift the balance so I can focus on becoming a happier and more balanced version of me.

What are your goals, aims or resolutions for 2019?