Well, here we are, New Year’s Eve 2018. The last year has been full of highs and lows. There have been losses, heartache, a lot of soul-searching, and a lot of self-discovery. I’m not where I thought I would be at the end of 2018, but I know myself a lot better.

One of my goals for 2019 is to continue working on myself, improve my wellbeing, and my self-care.

I’m currently reading ‘Self-care for the Real World’ by Nadia Narain & Katia Narain Phillips. In the book, they talk about having a self-care bank. The purpose is to build up a bank of self-care resources when you have the energy and motivation. On the days when you don’t have much energy, there’s some left in your reserves that you can dip into.

So, in my final post of 2018, I thought I would share with you 5 resources I want to add to my self-care bank for those ‘meh’ days, which link nicely to my aims and goals for 2019:

1. To get outside and exercise. Being surrounded by beautiful parks, there are plenty of opportunities to get out there and get fit. I love being outdoors, so what better way to look after body and mind than to exercise outdoors?
2. To create time to reflect on my wellbeing. I’m not always very good at noticing when I’m getting close to burnout. I would love to get better at noticing what my mind and body need before I reach burnout.
3. To make time to be sociable outside of work. My job has seriously impeded on my social life over the last few years. I want to meet people who make me laugh, bring out the best in me and have similar interests. What’s better than spending time with those who make you have a good old belly laugh?
4. To get enough sleep. I really need between 7-8 hours of sleep every night of the week. I’m also not a huge one for laying in. I’d love to build a consistent bedtime routine so my body gets the rest it needs. Perhaps with the occasional nap for good measure.
5. To not take things personally. The time, I have wasted with a cloud hanging over my head due to one person’s stupid comments, is crazy. Especially when they have no idea of the way they have made me feel. We never know what people are going through and where their heads are at when they make comments. Yet we really let their comments get to us. I talk about this more in a blog post I wrote about my battle with Imposter Syndrome. One thing’s for sure, it’s time to get rid of those pesky little imposters.

I hope to bank as many resources as I can, as I work towards a happier, more balanced 2019.

This is my final blog of 2018, so I would like to thank you for your continued support.

I’m super excited to see what 2019 has to bring.

Happy New Year folks 🥳 See you on the other side!