New Year Resolutions

Happy New Year everyone!

We've had an eventful 2015 here in Cardiff - we went to Thailand, we got engaged and we had a baby! Amazing!

Last year, I made 10 resolutions. Today, I thought I would have a look back to see if I managed to stick to them, and what my resolutions will be this year.


So, my 10 resolutions were:

1. Be Sian

I'm really unsure whether I've managed this year, as it's been a very different year. Being pregnant meant that I was unwell or extremely tired for most of the year, and then, since the Little One arrived, I've been even more tired. I'm still Sian, but I'm also Mummy now. I want to embrace this new role in 2016, but also still 'be me' and be there for the Other Half as well - he's just as important.

2. Drink less

Well, this one was pretty easy due to the human being growing inside me! But I have to admit, even though I can't really go out binge drinking any more, that cheeky glass of wine at the end of the day has become even more of a habit since having a baby - it's too tempting when I'm home all day on my own. However, new year, new me - let's do this! 

3. Watch less TV

I definitely didn't stick to this. In fact, I think I probably watched more TV this year than I've ever done before, again, due to being pregnant and then having a tiny screaming person in the house. TV is a good escape, and something you can do with minimal effort, one handed, with a tiny person sleeping on you. However, I really hope to use my time better this year, after getting into a routine with the Little One - I can still read, blog and do certain crafts while she sleeps on me.

4. Stop 'saving up' activities for the weekend

I really tried with this one, but didn't manage it unfortunately. I really wanted to look forward to my evening, not just the weekends. These days, I have no weekends. I have no idea what day of the week it is most of the time. Problem solved!

5. Do less chores

This one I stuck to. The Other Half helped out more when I was pregnant and it was so nice having him help around the house. Unfortunately, now that I'm home all the time, the chores have started being left to me again. However, I don't really have the time for them any more between feeding and nappy changing. I think this year I should concentrate on my Little One - I don't want to miss a smile or a laugh because I'm cleaning the bathroom.

6. Stop feeling guilty

I don't think I'll ever manage this one, it's in my nature. I tried letting my parents call me but it led to me not speaking to them for weeks and them being annoyed that I hadn't been in touch. Just not worth the hassle. I do feel less guilty now with a baby, as I have a great excuse (!), but I still feel guilty about minor, insignificant things, pretty often. I really need to try to get to grips with this, but I'm not holding my breath.

7. Stop procrastinating

I didn't really stick to this one either. I came up with ideas, wrote them down, but never got round to them. I must do better this year, especially as I'll be at home more. I want to get things done.

8. It doesn't have to be perfect

This relates to the previous point. I plan and plan, and then never get round to doing anything because the time isn't quite right. What am I waiting for? Just do it.

9. Eat better

I managed to lose around 20lbs last year, just before I went to Thailand. I looked and felt great and I was full of energy, then I got pregnant. I'm the heaviest I've ever been at the moment, but that's fine - I grew a human being - I rock! Mind you, as awesome as I think I am, I do need to eat better. Being at home all the time means that it's too easy to have a big fattening lunch, or snack on chocolate all day. I'm in no major rush to lose all my baby weight, but it'd be nice to lose a few pounds and feel better.

10. Make an effort with my friends

I failed with this one last year, mainly as I was pregnant and usually knackered or ill. However, surprisingly, having a baby has made me very very sociable, and I love it! I've been to a few classes and coffee mornings and met up with quite a few mums from work - it's been lovely getting out of the house and chatting with someone who's in the same position as I am. I definitely plan on keeping this up in 2016.

All in all, not bad I'd say. Being pregnant made some of the resolutions difficult, but helped with others.

This year I'd like to:

1. Appreciate every moment with the Little One.

2. Save up for our next home.

3. Let the little things go. 

4. Make time for me.

5. Make time for us, as in, me and the Other Half.


Let me know what your resolutions are for this year! x

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New Year Resolutions

This year, I have ten resolutions I'd like to stick to. Possibly a little ambitious, but we'll see...

1.       Be Siân

So, I’m always Siân, but sometimes I find myself apologising or lying about something I’ve done, purely because I’m a little embarrassed by it. What’s wrong with wearing an unflattering (but oh so comfy) big grey jumper whilst doing cross stitch and planning a trip to all the local charity shops? Nothing. I think I’m pretty damn cool.

2.       Drink less

Right, I’ve tried doing this one before and have always always failed. That glass of white wine after work is just too tempting. However, this year I plan on making a real effort. The Other Half and I have agreed to have a ‘dry January’ to start us off, in the hope we’ll see the benefits and keep it up, or at least cut down on our nights out. I’m thrilled already as on our first alcohol-free weekend we (ahem, I!) painted the kitchen, we (hmmm, he!) put shelves up, we went out and bought several lampshades and other bits and pieces for the house, we had a meal out and went to the cinema. And it all probably cost less, or maybe the same, as a night out in Cardiff.

3.       Watch less TV

I’ve also tried to stick to this one many times before and always fail. As you might remember, I gave this a pretty good go a few months ago and managed to get so much more out of my evenings without TV. However, a nasty cold, along with Christmas, meant I slipped back into the old routine. Get home, change, make food, and watch TV. That’s it. This year I really want to change this.

4.       Stops ‘saving up’ fun activities for the weekend

I’m not sure why I do this, but I do. I have a ridiculously long list of things I want to do - a variety of craft projects, new baking recipes I want to try, and films I want to watch. But, for some reason, I clear my list of things that need doing during the week and hope I have time on the weekend to do what I want to do. It never happens. I end up being too tired, and watch TV all weekend, and am seriously annoyed on Sunday night when I haven’t accomplished anything. I can change this, easily…I hope.

5.       Do less chores

Maybe most of you would’ve put ‘do more chores’ but as mentioned in number 4, I concentrate waaay too much on the things that ‘need’ doing when, in reality, nothing ‘needs’ doing. I need to relax and let things go. The kitchen doesn’t have to be cleaned today. The hoovering can wait another few days. Chill out, you’re turning into your mother! Gasp! ;-)

6.       Stop feeling guilty

I do this a lot. And for silly little things. I feel guilty if I leave the house for a few hours on the weekend when the Other Half would like to spend time with me. He could’ve come with me. I feel guilty for not calling home. Mum and dad could’ve called me. I need to relinquish some responsibility so I have a better sense of balance.

7.       Stop procrastinating

I tend to think of all the things I want to do, make a list and then do nothing about it. If I’ve thought of something fun to do or somewhere interesting to go, just do it. Don’t wait around for the ‘perfect’ time to do it. Which leads on to…

8.       It doesn’t have to be perfect.

I have a bad habit of not starting something until I’m well and truly prepared. For example, I had an idea last year to start writing a book that contained all my favourite recipes and craft projects. Nothing fancy, but I thought it might be something any children I might have in the future would like – almost like a food/craft/idea diary. I went out and bought a pretty leather book. And it’s still empty. What’s the point of waiting and waiting for the ‘right time’ – it’s better to do something that’s alright than to not do it at all.

9.       Eat better

A couple of years ago I lost 23 lbs through Weight Watchers. It was a lot of work counting points and getting up early to do some exercise but I was full of energy, looked and felt better. I swore I’d never put any weight back on.  However, I managed to put an impressive 24 lbs back on!
I’m not really that fat but I feel sluggish and lack energy, and never really love what I’m wearing because I could do with losing a few pounds. So, here we go – I’m determined to lose a bit of weight but am being realistic about this – a stone would be good.

10.   Make an effort with my friends

This shouldn’t really require any effort, but being a bit of an introvert I find it difficult to accept invitations. My friends (my lovely ladies!) are great but I let them down quite a bit and don’t show up. I must do better, because every single time I seem them, I go home feeling better than when I got there. I just need to remember that.

So those are my resolutions. Not sure how many I’ll stick to, but it’d be amazing if I could wouldn’t it? Let me know what you’re promising for 2015.

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