2017: What Can I Do To Make a Difference?

As years go, 2016 will be one to remember both on a global and personal level. If we're talking personal experiences, it was well below par when competing with 2015 and globally...well, as most people would agree we're all in a lot of trouble right now and it's going to take some serious work to get us back on an even keel. I'm not going to write out an itemised list because that will depress me writing it and you reading it, but I'm sure you know the kind of things I'm talking about. 

I made a handful of resolutions last January and somehow managed to stick to them, through sheer willpower and grit, which means that 2017 should be no different. In 2016, my general goal was to better myself through new experiences, physical and mental self-care, and pushing my own boundaries. In 2017 I want to continue expanding on those, but also give more back to the world since we're living in such sad and dangerous times. 

It's a fact: our world is changing. And among many, many other things, apathy is a slow but sure killer. Not caring enough. Shrugging and saying 'yeah, but what can I do about that?' Well, it all depends on what 'that' is but if, like me, you believe that one person can make a difference no matter how small, how much does the definition of 'that' really matter? It's all too easy to sit behind a screen and wax poetic about how sad the world is and what we think and feel, and Tweet about what we should be doing to help. We all do it. I do it, and I know most of you do it too. And perhaps, as said in many a rant by various YouTube stars, it was that 'all talk no action' approach that caused a lot of the chaos we saw in 2016. I'm not going to get into a political rant about things that should have happened in 2016 and didn't, or vice versa, (not on this post anyway) but I think a lot of us learned the hard and fast way that the only way to stand up for what we believe in is to actually stand up and do something about it. No matter how small. 

It's easy to get distracted and saddened by the things going on in the world around us if you take more than a casual glance, but instead of sinking into a pit of 'how did this happen' depression, that energy can be used to do positive things, both for yourself and for other people. Channel that energy into positivity, into action, into inspiring yourself and those around you!

So before I go off on an even more elaborate tangent, here's my brief list of small things for 2017 that I feel will make a difference to my life and the lives of others around me:

️Donate whenever and whenever possible ️Shop small, eat local, support your communities ️Speak out more about causes that matter to you, and do more to support them ️Chase new experiences, whether that's taking up a new hobby or sport, or seeing the world ️Meditate and take time out to gather your thoughts and centre yourself

️Do one thing every day that you find difficult

️Recycle, buy less, reuse when possible, and create less waste

And here are a couple of more refined goals I've set for myself this year that I can 'tick off':

Finish my first half marathon and sign up for something bigger Write every day, even if it's only a hundred words

Read every day, and read 65 books in a year

Volunteer, and use my time better

Live a more ethical, balanced, thought-out life

...and don't forget about my blog!

(Image found on Tumblr, someone link me to the artist if you know!)

How to Manage Your Busy Life

"I'm just so busy these days!"

We've all heard it, and we've all said it. The pace of life for most of us has increased drastically, and keeping up with work, family, friends, hobbies, fitness, culture, and me-time feels like juggling chainsaws. Everyone reaches a point in life where they need to stop, take a breath, and take a step back to look at what's going on in their life. 

5 Lovely Things

I know most people hate Mondays, but I have to say I really love them, and I love Monday evenings. Perfect for curling up with a cuppa, reflecting on the previous week and weekend activities, and planning for the next 7 days. My normal Monday night consists of a quick hot yoga or Crossfit session, then home to cook dinner and meal plan for the coming days. And of course, this evening is going to be twice as great because The Walking Dead starts again (Daryl Dixon, anyone?) and I've been waiting what feels like forever for it.

01. This weekend saw the first wedding fair of my life, at a hotel in Harrogate, prefaced by breakfast at Betty's Tea Rooms with my mum. Family time is really important to me, so it was lovely to spend the day together and look at all the pretty things to choose from. I'm now a little confused, a little overwhelmed, and a lot excited!