Thankfully I think that the era of making new years resolutions is coming to pass.  I fell out of love with them years ago after wanting a more heart-centred approach for planning for the next 365 days and thinking about what I want to achieve.  Alternatively, I set myself intentions which I feel are more focused and in alignment with my core values. I definitely find them more specific than saying ‘I want to get fit,’ instead, I would shift this phrase to something like ‘I want to move my body in a way that I love to feel nourished and fabulous.’

Starting out with setting my intentions for the year, I adopt an approach created by Danielle LaPorte’s Desire Map, where you list a series of words based on how you would like to feel (core desired feelings) and then set your intentions on how you are going to achieve these feelings. Some of the words that made it into my journal this year were fulfilled, empowered, connected, calm, abundance and truth.  All of which led me to make the word NOURISH, my word for 2018. This word resonates with me so much, especially when it comes to enriching your mind, body, and soul in ways that really light you up and are authentic to you.

Nourishment is all aspects of my life is going to be key this year and doing this in an authentic way that’s aligned with my truth, spending my energy in things that I love (which may mean saying no to things), and bringing more calm into my 2018.  This concept is very much what Jess Lively talks about in her recent podcast episode. 

Setting Concrete Work/Life Boundaries

As a freelancer and running a business it can be hard to define specific work/life boundaries and something that I have really struggled with over the past year. Working on days when Aiden is at home and on the weekends, cutting into family time was really begin to get to me.  At the beginning of the Aiden started attending pre-school for 4 days instead of 2, meaning that I’m finding it easier to set better working hours. Now, I can close my office door on Friday with full knowledge that I won’t be walking back in there until Monday.  I’m going to try to stick to this as best I can in 2018 because quality time with my little family means the world to me and it’s been compromised in the past.

Connecting With Nature

Being outdoors always has such a positive effect on me, whether that’s being by the sea, exploring the countryside or on a family woodland adventure. I definitely want to spend more time outdoors this year, regardless of the weather, even if it’s just 10 minutes a day.  We’re lucky that we live in a village in the heart of the countryside, so we are spoilt with beautiful walks and nearby woodlands. After living on the Dorset coast for a year, I would really love to make more effort to get to the beach, although in the Midlands we’re pretty landlocked so I’m not sure how regular this one can be.

More Space For Reading

There is a wealth of knowledge out there to soak up from books and reading is definitely high on my list of things to do in 2018. I’ve really let my reading slide over the past 6 months and I’m desperate to get back into it.  Truthfully, I’ve sat in front of the TV most nights watching programmes that don’t really interest me. However, this year I’m making a conscious effort to get out of the TV and my phone to read and expand my knowledge. 

Quality Time With The Family

As mentioned above, I feel that last year our family time was compromised by work, but Alfie and I have decided that this is a joint goal. So there will be lots of family days out, walks, meals, games and hopefully a holiday this year (it’s been a while).

Making Connections and Making an Effort With Old Ones

Last year, I really made an effort to put myself out there more and be more sociable. This effort has paid off because I’ve met some wonderful people via the internet or in person who I now call my friends.  Making new connections s quite a big deal for me because I’m quite introverted.  Also, I don’t want to forget about my older friends, so it looks like more coffee/shopping dates are on the cards in 2018.

Rebrand and redesign my blog

You might be aware that my blog got hacked last week and was done for a few days – don’t worry, all is fine now! However, I’m taking this as a sign from the universe that it’s time to rebrand, now rather than later. I’ve faffed about it for ages and think this was perhaps the kick in the ass that I needed to get started. I bought my new domain yesterday after finally settling on a new name that I think is a good fit.  I’m so excited to make this leap and cannot wait to start putting the wheels in motion.

Take a yoga class

When I go to the gym to workout, I find that this is all I actually do. I really want to mix things up again and I’m more than missing yoga. I’ve done YouTube videos at home, but it’s not quite the same as going to a class.  My gym actually does yoga classes so I’m going to check those out first. 

Become More Intentional About My Phone Usage

This is something that constantly bothers me, but it’s a habit that I struggle to break. With a business with a massive online aspect, it’s so hard not to be on your phone.  However, I really want to set better boundaries for my phone usage such as not checking it as soon as I wake up or before I go to bed. 

Finish my Coaching Course

I’m due to finish my health coaching course later in 2018 and I will be able to take on 1-2-1 clients.  I have so much gratitude for my work and be able to expand on that through coaching really motivates me.  I want to help as many women on their wellness journeys as I can and taking this course has been the best decision I’ve ever made. 

Well, I think that’s about it for me. What are your intentions for 2018?  Do you have a word for the year?