As the New Year begins, I have decided to be nicer to myself...

In January I am moving to a new home.  I actually feel as if I am starting a new life. For 20 years I have lived in the family home where my husband and I have brought up three children. We have gone through the babies, the weaning, the teenage angst and feel quite proud that we have managed to bring up three lovely, honest, decent human beings who are able to stand on their own two feet and venture out into the world.

But as the children reach adulthood, a change has overtaken me.  For 20 years we have spent most of our time and money on the kids.  The swimming and music lessons, taxiing around and general demands of a largish family have taken up most of our time and money.  My husband and I have obviously had our treats, but these have always seemed to fit around the kids, availability of babysitters, needing to pick them up from friends etc. Don’t get me wrong – I am not resentful of this, but I do feel that the time has come for some more ‘me’ time, time when I can develop my own interests and activities.

So now, as the New Year begins, it’s my time.

We are moving to the centre of our local town, right in the heart of things.  I will be able to walk to the local cinema, swimming pool, cafes. I will be able to easily meet friends for a coffee or a glass of wine. It will be an easy walk onto the moors or bike ride to my favourite bench.

I see this move as the next step.  We are going to have more of a ‘grown up’ house, rather than a house full of toys, bikes and garden toy equipment. 

So, as we enter the New Year, my resolution is to give myself time, to give myself a treat every day, whether it is going to a pilates’ class, reading a book or sharing a coffee with a friend. We all work so hard and I believe as women we often beat ourselves up, trying to do too many things for too many people, forgetting that we all sometimes need space for ourselves to get life in perspective.

So if you are planning to set yourself a New Years’ Resolution, don’t be too hard on yourself. If you take on too much too soon you are doomed to fail.  Take things a step at a time. If you want to get fitter but don’t know how to motivate yourself, go for a walk or agree to do a physical activity each week with a friend. Or sign up to your local running group or exercise class. The group will help to motivate you and you are likely to make some new friends along the way.  

If you feel isolated at home, take up a new hobby.  In the past I have taken up african drumming, something that I had never tried before.  I absolutely loved it and again made new friends in the process.

So as you enter the New Year, think positively.  How are you going to improve your lifestyle, make time for yourself?  What would make your life better?  And then make a plan, taking things step by step. Plan weekly ‘me’ time.  Put your goals in your diary, a small step each week and before long you will have developed a brand new interest, running a 5k or looking at a new slimmer you.

As they say, ‘If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!’

And remember, if you really are struggling to motivate yourself and would like some new friends to help you along the way, we are always here offering friendship with others just like you. 

I would love to hear what treats you plan for yourself in 2016!