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Thursday 10 January 2019

Resolutions again - 2019


Here we go with another new year, full of good intentions and resolutions.



I recently saw one of those word search squares that are supposed to predict what the coming year holds in store for you based on the words you spot first - mine were nachos, love, and wealth - but while I'm waiting for these delights to show up I'm going to try more practical measures




Last year was one in which external factors took over my life. This year could easily turn out the same way, so I'm determined to take charge of the bits of my life which I can control - from losing weight to finishing that Swedish Duolingo course. Primarily, I want to de-clutter my life, so I have more time to give to the things I really enjoy.


First to go is the online rubbish. I love social media so, no, I don't mean cutting down back on on-line chattering, but some things have to go - which means culling my social media 'friends', and unsubscribing from a stash of e-mails.
 Most of the folk I know online I chat to, we comment on each other's blog posts, tweets, FB updates, etc BUT there are lots of followers and friends that I haven't had a conversation with EVER. These guys are going.
I have an e-mail inbox that's straining every morning from notifications of all sorts. Obviously I can't delete the lot but so many are unwanted, and these have to go. Some I've signed up for as part of a competition but some seem totally random - I'd NEVER have signed up for cruise holidays so that was easily the first one to go.

Art and Crafts - inspired by making a jacket for my grandson in little over a week, I'm determined to pick up my knitting needles again. I've treated myself to some lovely maroon yarn in the sales with definite plans on what to knit with it, but also I need to clear the yarn stash that fills so many drawers and cupboards. Also, I'd like to add in the intention to take part in something more creative - embroidery, painting, dress-making, anything really though I'm not sure what yet. Again  this will have an added advantage of using up hoarded yarn, material, craft supplies, and making some space.

Taking charge of the garden. OK, winter isn't the best time to tackle it but it's got pretty neglected out there, and this IS a good time for planning - deciding what needs to be cut back, ordering seeds, and perhaps making a monthly planner of what I'd like to do and when.

Another thing to get on top of is the book blog. I've continued to read for the last few months but not find time to review, so there's a lot of catching up to do. Meanwhile, I've signed up to the Penguin Books classic books reading challenge - more details here - It's a bit of a cheat as I knew before I saw the list that I'd have read several already - turns out that if you include watching plays instead of reading them there are only two new books there - The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Communist Manifesto. Still, it's a good excuse to re-read some oldies.
Also after several months absence I've decided it's time to get back out to Book Club at my local Waterstones. It also ties in with my 'mini adventures' idea (see below) by getting out alone for an evening and seeing new people.


This is the other aspect to the year - inspired by the cover of my diary, I intend to make this year, as much as possible, one of mini adventures - small probably barely befitting the name 'adventure'. It's a sort of follow-on to last years's Sixty Things, continuing as #trysomethingnew. I expect that, as for the past few years, I'll have little chance of a holiday, so my adventures will be very much based around home - new places to walk, exhibitions to see, bands to watch. No matter what your age, no matter how restricted your life, there's always something new to be discovered. Let's see how many things I can find this year.

And, somewhere, somehow, I'll be so busy that all my extra weight will magically disappear :)


4 comments:

  1. Mary there are some really lovely and positive resolutions here. I think we all need to sometimes dust ourselves down and start afresh and I can completely identify with how you feel. This time last year was full of uncertainty for me and whilst I am not still fully out of the woods there is an argument for looking forward and reminding myself, like you of the things in my life that bring me pleasure. Reading is up there at the top and it is something I couldn't settle down to last year, my mind would just take me elsewhere, so I am looking forward to cracking through a serious pile of abandoned literature this year. The Picture of Dorian Gray is one of my all time favourites. I first read it more than 30 years ago at university and love it just as much now as then. Good luck Mary and look forward to reading all about your new adventures. Jo x#TweensTeensBeyond

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    1. I always prefer positive resolutions to those which demand you to give something up - we all need chocolate, or wine, from time to time. And as the days start to grow longer, it feels like the perfect time for a new start. Hopefully your year ahead is looking good, Jo x

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  2. I've been unsubscribing from emails as and when they come in, but it's time consuming, isn't it? I now tend to link up and comment at the same time, unless I've been busy or had visitors which has been the case recently, but i book mark when I link up to make it easier to come back #tweensteensbeyond

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    1. I'm treating this as a long-term resolution that will need working on all year - but if I clear just one unwanted subscription a day, eventually I'll have a totally appreciated in box :)

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