2014: Hopes, Dreams & Resolutions

I've been making New Year's Resolutions for years - scribbling them down in my diary from 2004 or maybe even longer ago. I never really kept them, sadly.  However, 2013 has been such an inspiration (you can read about what I got up to HERE) I feel that I really could achieve some of my goals and dreams this year, and writing them on this blog makes me more accountable. So here we go.

My Hopes, Dreams and Resolutions for 2014:

1.      Maintain good health 

This is standard for most people, I think. Every year I write something about losing weight, dieting or eating better. This year I just want to be healthy and happy, and I feel that I can achieve this. I'm not going to promise to cut out cheese, chocolate and pies completely - that would be too far and may cause me to binge even more! However, I pledge to exercise regularly to counteract my sedentary working life. I will, therefore, go to the gym regularly each week, be more conscious of what I eat, and try to get more sleep. Treats should be treats and not a regular meal choice. This will hopefully lead to a healthier and happier body and therefore a healthier and happier Jo.

2.      Drink more water

   

I’ve seen this on a number of other blogs, so it seems to be a common issue. I never ever drink enough and regularly find myself dehydrated – I just don’t enjoy drinking water. I normally feel tired, headachey and hungry when I’m not, which I know is the effect of dehydration. So 2014 will be the year when I train myself to drink more, feel better and therefore aiding the first resolution. If any of you have advice for this, please leave me a comment below!

3.      Improve my blog

  

I’ve only been blogging for two months, so there is plenty of work to do. I want to improve the look of She Wears Burgundy – the blogs I’ve been reading for the last couple of years look so professional, and I want to achieve that – so I’ll have to teach myself! I also want to reach more readers, get to know a few fellow bloggers and write great content on a regular basis. This might be a lot to ask but by the end of this year I want to be happy with what I am creating! So here are my blogging goals:

·         Redesign and create my own image and style

·         Improve photo quality (even without high-end equipment)

·         Blog on a regular basis about a wide variety of subjects – more fashion and beauty posts, perhaps.

 

4.      Appreciate my loved ones

  

My loved ones – my friends, family and my boyfriend – have been incredible over the last year and I always worry that I am not showing them how much they mean to me – so, I would like 2014 to be the year of love and appreciation, to make sure they all know what they mean to me. Simple.

5.      Improve my beauty skills

  

This may seem a little silly, but I’m not very good at makeup – I only use the basics and have no idea where to put things, how to apply products or even what’s best for my skin tone. I already received some Real Techniques brushes for Christmas and I hope this is the start of a more grown up attitude towards makeup – after all, I am 23!

6.      Cook more

  

I am becoming increasingly aware of my embarrassing cooking skills. I can cook, and eat a range of meals, but I look on with jealousy when others concoct delicious simple dishes with a few herbs and spices. I also hope to cook more for friends and family and, perhaps, my own family when I am older. And what better time to learn than now? 2014 will be the year when I try new things, gain confidence in the kitchen and try a new recipe at least once a fortnight. Pass the parsley.

7.        Visit new places

  

Travelling makes me nervous, and even getting on a train to a new place in the UK can cause me to worry. However, I am currently becoming more aware of wanting to see as much of our little planet as I can before it’s too late. So, this year I hope to visit a few new places, be they in the UK, Europe or even further afield. At least one new foreign city or country. Let this be the year of adventure.

 Some of these resolutions I know have been fairly basic and even slightly selfish. So here's one big attitude I wish to adopt in 2014:

8.     Love Life &  get out of my comfort zone

Appreciate life in all its glory. Cherish each moment, spend time with friends, do one thing each week which scares me and push myself to have as many new experiences as possible.

  

Whether its going to a new gym class, eating a new food or even submitting my writing for a competition, I want to try as many new things this year as possible.I have my whole life ahead of me and I want to make the most of my time on earth. I hope to document these experiences on this blog, and in turn I hope my blog provides me with the motivation and even opportunities to make this happen.

So here's to 2014 and everything it has to offer! Let's see if we can stick to our resolutions this year. Ready?
 

If you've written a resolution blog post too, pop your links in the comments below! I'd love to see them!

Jo

xxx