Friday 3 January 2014

Hello 2014!



Happy new year everyone! I for one am rather glad that 2013 has finally come to an end. I didn't think my year could possibly be any worse than 2012 was but the past few months have been quite difficult for me. My parents have had lots of relationship issues, my laptop broke, we've all been ill (& we still are), I had an abnormal smear result and my anxiety & stomach issues have spiraled lately. Worst of all there was a death in the family. My family aren't close but it was so upsetting to hear that my cousin had died, he was only 46. As silly as it might sound to some people I consider a new year to be a new start. I want to put all my past troubles behind me and focus on all the positive things in my life. I've always been a fairly pessimistic person but being negative doesn't get you anywhere, it just makes you feel worse. I need to appreciate the things I do have & stop being jealous of others. Chloe is the best thing in my life & I don't want any negativity to rub off on her. After the heartache I suffered in 2012, Andy & I got back together last year. I think it's generally considered a bad idea to get back with an ex but it's a different ballgame when there's a child involved. We're happy together & Chloe is happy that we're together so I guess that's all that matters right now. I don't think my resolutions are too different from last years but I always think it's good to have some kind of reminder of the person you want to be. So here are my new year's resolutions:

Be healthier
I managed to lose some weight at the beginning of 2013 by following the Tone It Up diet but I couldn't keep it up. I ended up gaining everything back & more. I really need to make an effort with my diet and exercise this year. Any day that I have to take Chloe to preschool I will get on with either going to the gym or doing an exercise DVD right away. I need to remember to drink more water & stop eatings Greggs doughnuts all the time. Food prep seems like an important thing to try because if there's a chocolate bar in the cupboard I'll go straight for that. But if there was a nice chicken salad readily prepared in the fridge I'd eat that instead. I might try doing the 5:2 diet because I could easily live off crumpets & miso soup for two days a week. I really would like to get back to 9st this year.

Take care of myself
I did pretty well with this last year. I kept up a consistent skincare routine, took my supplements and looked after my hair & teeth. My skin was horrendous for a while but I think I finally have it under control (touch wood!). I got a bit lazy with my skincare towards the end of the year & just kept taking my makeup off with Bioderma. This needs to stop because my skin only behaves if I look after it properly. So I'm going to try to take my makeup off just before I put Chloe to bed. That way I won't suddenly think to do it at midnight & whack out the Bioderma again. I need to learn to switch off my laptop & go to bed earlier too. I totally failed at washing my makeup brushes. I know I need to do it more often but once a week is just unrealistic for me. I'm gonna aim for once a month because even that rate will be better than before!

Stop procrastinating
I am so lazy & I really need to stop it. I put off everything & it's just such a silly thing to do. I think I might've been a bit depressed lately & obviously that's affected my motivation. This resolution links in with some of the other ones. I think this one is something many people can relate to. I need to be more organised & stop wasting my time. If there's some washing up to do, go & do it. If you need to hoover, get on with it. If there's clean clothes to put away, put them away. If there's an email in your inbox, reply to it. If you have documents to shred, shred them. If you buy or receive a new product, take photos of it right away. If you need to remove your makeup, get in the bathroom. I could go on but the point is just get on with things basically.

Save more money
I think I did okay with this last year. I didn't waste too much money on makeup & clothes (in my opinion anyway!) but I didn't manage to save that much either. This year I want to put a set amount into my savings account & Chloe's savings account every month. I waste a lot of money on food. Feeding Andy is an expensive job. I want to try shopping in Aldi & Lidl more often. I also plan to batch cook food & freeze it for later. As I mentioned last year the Spending Tracker iPhone app has helped me immensely with my finances. I think I need to stick to a stricter budget now though if I plan on upping my savings & not just my current account.

Put more effort into blogging
Blogging is so important to me but I still only managed about 10 posts per month last year. I want to add so much more content to this website so this year I'm aiming for 15 posts per month. I'm going to try to reply to every comment I get, not just questions. I've tried to improve my blog photography but it's difficult when you live in a rented house with awful lighting & yellow walls. I think I've finally found a good spot & setup that allows me to have products upright (which some of you commented on in my yearly favourites post yay!). The lighting is still a bit dodgy sometimes but I've just bought some studio lighting so hopefully that will make things a bit better. I really struggle with emails & have often ignored them for months! I'm aiming to reply to everything I receive on the same day. I also plan on joining in on twitter a bit more. I normally use it for moaning & promoting new posts so I want to get back to talking with everyone & joining in with #bbloggers chats. I want to get back into YouTube too & do some makeup tutorials on there.

I also just want to take a moment to thank every single one of you who reads my blog. It means the world to me that people are interested in the things I have to say. I truly appreciate every comment I receive so another thing I will try to do is comment more on other blogs. I love the blogging community & although blogging itself might be becoming more editorial (as many people have said in their yearly summaries), the people are still the heart of it all. So here's to 2014! I hope you all have a fantastic year filled with happiness & of course, I hope I do too.


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50 comments:

  1. Hope this years a good one for you!

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  2. I really enjoyed reading this post. I'm sorry to hear about your family loss but I think it's lovely you and your boyfriend are back together. Your little family being happy together is so incredibly important. I don't think I know anyone who had an amazing 2013 so here's to 2014 being a better year for all of us! xx

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    1. Aw thank you! The rest of my family has always been quite segregated so it is very nice that my own little family is back together again. Happy new year! xx

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  3. Lovely and insightful! I wish you lots of luck with 2014! I think it is going to rock!

    Kallie @ But First, Coffee

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    1. Thanks, you too Kallie! I hope its a good'un! xx

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  4. my resolutions are so similar to you, I'm really trying to keep on top of my blogging this year too! good luck with all your resolutions and best wishes for 2014... i'll look forward to me reply (one of your resolutions!) hah! xx

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    1. Haha I'm keeping up with my replies ;) I think I'm gonna say to myself that I can't upload a new post until I've replied to all my comments. Good luck to you too Faye, hope you have a fantastic new year! xx

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  5. Good luck with all your goals in 2014. I think a lot of ours are the same. I'm aiming to get my weight under control. I had a big loss then a bit of a gain when I started a relationship. Feeling positive as my boyfriend has agreed to eat the same things as me and spend our days off swimming and walking.

    Totally agree about doing things straight away, you don't forget then x

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    1. I've already been quite productive this year by getting on with things, I think its a good thing to stick too. Good luck Gem, you've done so fantastically with your weight loss so I'm sure you can continue it this year. Thats so sweet of your boyfriend :) Mine always buys cake & chocolate so I'm sure its much easier if you have someone being supportive of your goals! xx

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  6. Happy New Year, Caroline! I loved reading this post as it's definitely made me feel more positive and motivated for 2014.

    I have a friend who got back together with an ex after he broke up with her and they've been together for a fair few years now and are really happy. I agree that it's generally considered a bad idea, but at the end of the day, no one knows your relationship except you and your boyfriend, so no one can judge you on that. I think as long as the past issues have been resolved, it's fine to go back to a former relationship and I'm glad to hear you're all really happy. :)

    Oh, I'm such a procrastinator, especially at the small things too! I will always leave taking off my makeup to the last minute when I'm so tired and just want my bed! I really should just come home from work and take it off straight away instead of spending hours at my computer. It's crazy how much procrastinating does impact on your motivation though. I find the more productive I am, the happier I feel and then when I actually do get the time to relax, it feels all the more sweeter.

    I really want to put more effort into blogging too, but time and pretty natural daylight are my main downfalls that prevent me from doing so. I think I'd also have to keep constantly buying products to bring out new content! Haha. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing that blogging has become editorial, but I have to admit, my favourite blogs are the kinds that have more personality and depth.

    http://likeneonlove.com

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    1. Thanks Tenneil, your comments always make me smile! Although it was him who originally broke things off we both agreed that we had issues to work through so I think we're both happier now. I agree productivity is the key to happiness. I feel more accomplished already this year! I'm glad you're blogging more again & I hope you have a brilliant new year xx

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  7. Happy New Year!
    I am hoping to find more time in 2014 to blog & be more social across many platforms. I love your blog & can't wait to see what's to come in 2014
    http://www.letstalkbeauty.co.uk/

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    1. Thanks Vicki, I hope you have a lovely new year! Good luck with your aims xx

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  8. Wonderful post! Happy New Year.. :) x
    george-porge.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Thanks! Happy new year to you too George! xx

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  9. I really hope you have a it of a better year this year love. I know how difficult anxiety issues can be and how they can affect your life.

    What you've said about precasting is very true! I'm trying to just get on with things this year as well so that they are all done and I can feel proud of myself at the end of the day.

    I love your blog and i'm very excited to see what you have in store next year!

    xx

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    1. Thank you Rachel, I had CBT but feel like I could do with a refresher. I've been so much more productive already so getting on with things is definitely a good tip ;) Hope you have a lovely new year xx

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  10. I hope you have a better year and you accomplish your goals. I know how hard life was last year for me so I know how you feel and hope you get better!

    Jackie | fashionxfairytale |

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    1. Thank you Jackie, I hope you have a much better 2014 too xx

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  11. Happy new Year and I hope this one is a better one x
    Beautyqueenuk xx

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  12. Happy new year hun! Good luck with everything :)

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  13. Happy New Year! I really enjoyed reading this post, I've been reading quite a lot of New Year posts as I find they help me figure out what I might want my own goals to be and your post has definitely helped. The stop procrastinating point really hit home with me as I also suffer from pretty severe anxiety and depression and find motivating myself very hard to do so I think it's really something I want to try and work on.

    I also really want to get going with my blog this year and you've reminded me to try and find a spot for upright product photos as they definitely do make a difference!

    I really hope this year is a better one for you and I wish you all the luck in the world from a long time reader and first time commenter!

    Sarah xx

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    1. Thanks so much Sarah, this was such a lovely comment to read! I've read a lot of other people's resolution posts too & I think most of us share the same aims. Anxiety & depression have really affected by motivation levels but I'm just getting on with things & I've found I've been more productive already! Just go for it ;) I hope you have a lovely new year & hopefully I'll be reading your blog soon xx

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  14. I agree with your resolutions, I'm the same. I really need to learn to save. I end up being a payday millionaire then absolutely skint but the end of the month. I need to learn to save for my future.

    Beth | BethBlogsBeauty
    xx

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    1. I think if you save just a small set amount every month it can make such a difference. I'm considering going for £40 a month. I'm always wanting to save for a rainy day so nows the time to start :) xx

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  15. Aww Caroline <3 I think your gorgeous and your blog is one of my favourites, please don't put yourself down :) great resolutions, I have faith you can do them :))

    Danniella x | www.famousinjapan.co.uk

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    1. Thank you Danniella, that means a lot! I hope you have a brilliant new year xx

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  16. I definitely need to save more money/pay off my overdraft this year! Good luck with your goals :)

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    1. I managed to pay off my overdraft last year & it was the best feeling! Even a small amount per month can make a difference. Happy new year Cherry! xx

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  17. Happy new year lovely lady, like you, I'm very happy to have said goodbye to 2013. I hope that this year brings you a lot of happiness! <3

    Jennie xo | sailorjennie.com

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    1. Thank you Jennie, a fresh start is always welcome :) Hope you have the best year xx

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  18. You're one of my absolute favourite blogs to read so it's lovely to read your resolutions and I can't wait to continue reading your blog in 2014.

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    1. Thank you Kate, glad to see you're back blogging again too! Happy new year :) xx

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  19. Happy new year Caroline, it sounds like you've set yourself some really good achievable goals- I hope you manage to get them all done :) I really need to stop procrastinating as well it is such a waste of time, it also coincides with my lack of savings as I seem to spend a lot of time online shopping rather than getting stuff done... so hopefully by tackling my procrastination it will be two birds with one stone.
    Poppy | far away x

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    1. Happy new year Poppy! I think we'd all be better off if we procrastinated a bit less haha. Oh gosh I'm guilty of wasting time online shopping too. I spent a good portion of last night browsing Zara & Whistles, naughty :s xx

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  20. What a lovely way to try off the year!
    I agree with you on blogging.
    I think everyones New Years Resolution is to take better photos but your photos are already lovely enough!

    E | Beauty/Skincare | Cocoamourr

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    1. Aww thank you Elena! I always try to put some effort into my photos but I wish I had a nicer setup like everyone else with their Ikea desks, Muji storage, fresh flowers & Diptyque candles haha. I guess its good to be a bit different though ;) xx

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  21. I definitely need to give myself the resolution of procrastinating less too!!! As we speak I should be doing my dissertation ;)

    Happy New Year!
    Josie xoxo

    Fashion Mumblr

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    1. Happy new year Josie! I think that dissertations are the one time that a little bit of procrastination becomes a necessary evil ;) xx

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  22. Its such a pain isn't it! I pray for the day when I can have my own house, decorated exactly how I want it with white walls & lots of lovely storage. We'll just have to make the best of what we have for now :) xx

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  23. What a lovely post. I too want to be healthier and I hope you do start doing your youtube and makeup tutorials :)

    I am currently hosting a Valentines Box Swap UK & would love it if you could take a look and maybe take part too! (link)



    Lucie // Fatbeautyx //  Vote for me in the #UKBA14

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    1. Thanks Lucie, hope you have a great new year too! I really want to get into YouTube, must get on with it haha! xx

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  24. Happy New Year, Caroline! I also want to be healthier this year and to stop procrastinating so much. The two seem to go hand in hand, haha! 2014 sounds so promising for all of us though, wishing you all the best lovely! (:

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    1. That's very true! If I can stop wasting my time then I'm sure I can do a bit more exercise & plan my meals better too. Hope you have a brill new year Michelle :) xx

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  25. Happy New Year!

    xx
    FashionEvELand | FEEL

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    1. thanks lovely! happy new year to you too ;) xx

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