Monday 6 January 2014

10 favourite things - the New Year edition

So it's the beginning of January - sort of...okay it's still the first week of January, whatevs, either way it means I'm sharing another set of my favourite things through Endlessly Beloved's brilliant link up. The theme for January is a new year (obvs) so read on to find out what my favourite things about the new year are.

Reflection - I love taking a look back on the previous twelve months and seeing what I've achieved and how far I've come. There's always something for us all to be proud of and to take a moment to celebrate. For me 2013 was about two 10ks, exploring the UK and taking the leap towards a new job.

Easter Chocolate - Yes you heard me right I'm excited that I can now eat Mini Eggs every day if I want to as they are already in the shops - hooray to that. They are my all time favourite chocolate, narrowly beating the humble peanut m&m so to be able to eat them finally after seven long months is wondrous!


Holidays - The new year means a new bank of holiday days to schedule in and I like to work out what I'm going to do and when at the start of the year. That way you can ensure you keep enough days for everything you need/want to do plus some days for the all important relaxing. It's the best way to ensure that you don't burn yourself out throughout the year, plus it's something to look forward to in the darkest depths of January when the weather is dismal. One glance at your holiday planner and you're cheered up as you know what you've got coming!

A new diary - Every year I treat myself to a new diary. I always have the best of intentions to use it properly and be a proper adult. It never works as by mid Feb I'm just using my iPhone and I'm bored of carrying it around. Not this year though, no this year I'm going to be properly grown up and organised and responsible. My new green diary is going to become a firm friend and a vital piece of my life. *crosses fingers hopefully*



The big sort out - This might make you all doubt my sanity but I love nothing more than a big sort out of crap at the start of the new year. Once you've finished with Christmas you've inevitably got bits and bobs you don't want/need (I'm looking at you Mr telephone notepad and the set of mini pots that won't fit any food in), so rather than simply putting everything away I like to work out what I actually need and then reorganise everything I own. That way I make lots of extra space, give lots to charity, know where everything is and generally just feel better about myself and less cluttered.

New desk calendar - I love a new diary, so of course I love a new desk calendar and this year's is the rather lovely Disney one found here. So far I've had pictures from Cinderella, Dumbo and Tangled, what's not to love!


New plans - The opposite to reflection - thinking about what do you want to achieve this year and planning how you get there. I know you could do these things on any day, but inevitably you put them off again and again. So the new year is the perfect moment to work out how you're going to become that person you want to be.

A day of being lazy - For me January 1st is all about the lazy. It's not about starting the diet or exercise regime or fitting in lots of things before you head back to work. No it's about the sofa, the chocolate and the TV. Call me crazy but what better excuse than recovering from New Years Eve. Let's face it, no one wants to leave the house and nothing is open, so the sofa is the best option. I honestly believe that we all need a day every now and again where we recharge and that's what Jan 1st is in my book. {Yes granted I may never have had a hangover in my life, but still it's essential.}



Reading resolutions - Just to confuse you I actually mean setting my own reading resolutions, rather than reading other people's resolutions. I know that sounds like a weird thing to enjoy, but I don't really go in for other resolutions - I never stick to them - but reading ones I really enjoy. It's the perfect time to think about what books I've still not read that I need to read or what authors I finally want to discover. Last years reading resolution was to read 52 books and this years is more about what I read - I want to introduce myself to a few new authors and finally finish some of those books I just never get round to. You can read more about the plan here.

The return of brilliant TV shows - I'm talking Sherlock, Silent Witness, Blue Bloods, Revenge, Grey's Anatomy and all the other brilliant shows that are heading back to our TV screens shortly. I for one can't wait!

18 comments:

  1. Hi:) stumbled here from the link-up! I LOVE the start of the new year too because of new journals and planners haha! I went to target and spend longer than i would like to admit picking up planners, desk calendar, journals.

    cute blog:) new follower!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by and for the follow! Yes new diaries and calendars is one of the best things about January isn't it. I had to stop myself from getting carried away and putting things back - it's just too tempting! x

      Delete
  2. This was such a good list!! The diary thing is such a good idea- you made me want to go buy one of my own!!! I also love what you said about the holidays. The other day I was thinking about how sad I was that fall/christmas is over, and then I realized that now I have Christmas of 2014 to look forward to so woo hoo! Thank you so much for linking up girl!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for popping by - and for organising the link up! Glad you like the list. Let me know if you give in to the diary. I can't wait to look back over it in a few years - if I manage to keep filling it in that is! x

      Delete
  3. I love your list. :) A new calendar is also a must for me. :) And when I was younger I used love new diaries too, but I never kept them up either. :/ maybe this year I will try once again. :) I think it will be a good idea to go back through them and reflect on your year. :)

    stumbling from the link-up. :)
    Adri @ Adri's Thoughts

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks and thanks for stopping by! Yes I'm hoping I can keep it up this year, so far so good, but then it's only been a week so I shouldn't get too carried away, it could all go wrong soon! It'd be great to look back through at some of the ridiculous things I've written in the years to come. Good luck if you do decide to get one too.

      Delete
  4. What a great list. I found your blog via Brianna's link up. I have been in desperate need of a huge sort out in this house. It's a disaster! Love what I've seen of your blog so far. Excited to be a new follower.

    Ashley
    http://ashley-to-awesome.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh thanks for the follow and for popping by. Sometimes there's nothing better than a good sort out is there, and once you remove the bags of extra stuff or ebay it all you just feel so much better! Having said that I won't do another for a good few months - I don't love them that much! Good luck with your sort out (if you give in to doing it!). x

      Delete
  5. Oh you're right, new year means the shows come back from the midseason break! Yay!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay indeed - it was the start of a brand new Criminal Minds and Revenge last night. Too much excitement I could barely cope! Thanks for stopping by! x

      Delete
  6. Love your list! Those chocolate eggs are really amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my gosh yes, those eggs are amazing. I'm having to exert a lot of willpower not to eat a whole pack every day! Thanks for popping by. x

      Delete
  7. Love your list! I totally agree the 1st is a lazy day! I always tell my self that my new years resolutions start on the 2nd because I need the first to recover!

    Kristen
    www.alittlelookinsideme.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly, you have to give yourself a nice slow start. Then I find that I'm more motivated on the 2nd as my mind is clearer and I can keep my eyes open! Thanks for stopping by. x

      Delete
  8. I can't believe Easter candy is out already. What about Valentines Day?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's never really a load of Valentine's chocolate in the shops though, so I suppose they've still got enough space for both celebrations. Plus it's so delicious it needs to be available for as long as possible! x

      Delete
  9. Hi! Per here from the linkup!

    I get a new diary every time too! And make sure that I write on it throughout the year ;)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi - found you from Brianna's linkup!

    I completely agree with you about seasonal candy - every January, I go on a hunt for Brach's Valentine hearts (most stores around me stock the Sweethearts brand, which are just not the same). Wish I could eat the Brach's hearts year-round!

    ReplyDelete