It turns out that it is now quite uncool to make New Year's resolutions or to make big fitness goals for the year ahead. The fact that (based upon zero scientific evidence) 99.9% of all resolutions have been kicked to the kerb by mid January, makes rubber stamping a list of big life goals for the coming months, seem a bit daft and whimsy.
Proclaiming on January 1st that you're going to eat nothing but biodynamically grown vegetables and meat from corn fed animals, who were sung lullabies by monks, or signing up for a Tough Mudder when you currently struggle to heave yourself off the chaise longue to pour another glass of merlot, IS bit silly. You will fail. And failing when you've bigged youself up in front of others, is not cool.
I for one, however, will not be put off by inevitable failure or being uncool. I've always relished a new era. Whether it's a new school year, armed with a fresh WHSmith ringbinder, a new, ink blot free pencil case and dreams of passing with flying colours, or going back to work after a long holiday feeling fresh and ready to face the office bullshit with a devil may care attitude. I'm always invigorated by the chance to start afresh.
This year I feel like I'm ready to come out of a bit of a work/life rut I've found myself in. Not an organised person by nature I find working and parenting a tough balancing act. I've rarely put myself first in the past six months (although as a Mum you always come second when the kiddies need you and that's how it should be). When I've found spare time after washing school uniform and working, I've sat in front of the TV, even though it makes me feel sluggish and it's all crap anyway. I've said no to things because I either feel guilty about leaving the boys with someone else or I haven't been brave enough (stupid isn't it?). I've managed to lose 14lbs by reducing carbs and puddings, only to put most of it back on by reaching for my yeasty nemesis (sounds gross), bread or my sweet enemy, sugar, when things have got a bit uncomfortable at work or I've been a bit tired. Which is, let me tell you, much of the time.
Now I've explained why I think it's ok for me (just me, for everyone else it's uncool) to make some modest resolutions as we race in to the next annum, I'll tell you what they might be, as things stand today.
1. Get rid of the 14lbs I thought I'd kissed goodbye for goodo. Having regained them, I can confirm, I prefer myself without the jiggle jiggle.
2. Book out Monday and Wednesday lunch times in my work calendar so that people can't book meetings over lunch. Although I totally love it when people do that, I would like it known that lunch breaks are for eating, gossiping, walking or running and sitting in the car sobbing.
3. Make an effort to see friends at the weekend.
4. Make my house nice. We have a nice house that has been ruined by children. There are hand and foot prints on the walls, peas and play dough squashed into the carpets and scratches on the leather sofa. It ends now. The children will be confined to one tarpaulin covered room or the garden if necessary (kidding, obviously).
5. Be a more energetic Mum to my little athletes. That means getting fit, but obviously I'm not going to make a fitness resolution because there's not a cats chance in hell I'll stick to it (that's reverse psychology - if I say I won't do it maybe I will - messed up!).
So, we will see. Hopefully I won't be a complete loser this year. Just thought of another one:
6. Step self deprecating. Silly cow.
I for one, however, will not be put off by inevitable failure or being uncool. I've always relished a new era. Whether it's a new school year, armed with a fresh WHSmith ringbinder, a new, ink blot free pencil case and dreams of passing with flying colours, or going back to work after a long holiday feeling fresh and ready to face the office bullshit with a devil may care attitude. I'm always invigorated by the chance to start afresh.
This year I feel like I'm ready to come out of a bit of a work/life rut I've found myself in. Not an organised person by nature I find working and parenting a tough balancing act. I've rarely put myself first in the past six months (although as a Mum you always come second when the kiddies need you and that's how it should be). When I've found spare time after washing school uniform and working, I've sat in front of the TV, even though it makes me feel sluggish and it's all crap anyway. I've said no to things because I either feel guilty about leaving the boys with someone else or I haven't been brave enough (stupid isn't it?). I've managed to lose 14lbs by reducing carbs and puddings, only to put most of it back on by reaching for my yeasty nemesis (sounds gross), bread or my sweet enemy, sugar, when things have got a bit uncomfortable at work or I've been a bit tired. Which is, let me tell you, much of the time.
Now I've explained why I think it's ok for me (just me, for everyone else it's uncool) to make some modest resolutions as we race in to the next annum, I'll tell you what they might be, as things stand today.
1. Get rid of the 14lbs I thought I'd kissed goodbye for goodo. Having regained them, I can confirm, I prefer myself without the jiggle jiggle.
2. Book out Monday and Wednesday lunch times in my work calendar so that people can't book meetings over lunch. Although I totally love it when people do that, I would like it known that lunch breaks are for eating, gossiping, walking or running and sitting in the car sobbing.
3. Make an effort to see friends at the weekend.
4. Make my house nice. We have a nice house that has been ruined by children. There are hand and foot prints on the walls, peas and play dough squashed into the carpets and scratches on the leather sofa. It ends now. The children will be confined to one tarpaulin covered room or the garden if necessary (kidding, obviously).
5. Be a more energetic Mum to my little athletes. That means getting fit, but obviously I'm not going to make a fitness resolution because there's not a cats chance in hell I'll stick to it (that's reverse psychology - if I say I won't do it maybe I will - messed up!).
So, we will see. Hopefully I won't be a complete loser this year. Just thought of another one:
6. Step self deprecating. Silly cow.
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