This blog for me is very much about finding a new career, a professional journey more than a personal one. However, I am seeking a satisfying and sustainable balance of the two so I will feature some personal thoughts. The thing that struck me like lightening this new years eve was just how quickly the year had gone! Bam! Southbank fireworks and we’re singing Auld Lang Syne again! That thought stayed with me for a few days as I tried to figure out why the time goes so fast. I’m getting older is one thing, I know, but I decided it’s also about how you use the time. Time goes quickly when you are busy but the more you fit into a day, the longer it feels. We talked about new years resolutions one day and my daughter said that she is going to try and learn something new every day … easy when you are 8 but a little ambitious when you are considerably older than that! However, I like the sentiment and I decided that the way to make this year feel longer is to get busy and fill it up with new things. I want to feel differently when I look back on 2016.

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION 1. GET BUSY AND LEARN NEW THINGS

I have set myself a number of challenges in my post entitled Projects so I should have resolution 1 covered. But yes, it’s all very well to have grand ideas of being busy and learning new things but to make it happen I need a plan. And I need to stick to it …. I consider one of my strengths to be that I’m fairly easy going and flexible but our strengths can become our weaknesses so flexibility becomes procrastination and plans are not always realised. The test of my success will be how far I get with my challenges for the year.

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION 2. MAKE A PLAN AND STICK TO IT

As well as those challenges, I would also like to fill my year with people; old friends, new friends, interesting and challenging professional connections …. all good energy! A few years of sleepless nights and early years routines, I haven’t ventured far from the doorstep; I’ve made some brilliant new friends but I’ve seen very little of old friends. I still have a routine and I enjoy being based at home but with a bit more energy and more flexible routine this year, I hope I can reconnect with some of those old friends. And I want to use this blog and social media to make new, interesting and challenging connections.

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION 3. CONNECT … WITH NEW FRIENDS AND OLD

Culture! AAh! I miss that about living in London. I am surrounded by the most beautiful countryside, my family have the support of a warm and friendly community and my children have a sense of freedom they may not have in a big city but I do miss the grit and grime, the bizarre cultural mix, the art and culture that is on every street corner of London. I have no desire to trade what we have on a daily basis but I would like to invite a little more culture into my life this year.

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION 4. DEAR CULTURE … COME TO MY PARTY

My wardrobe! Mmmm??? From a woman in a mans world to fashion student via motherhood and my collection of hand-me-downs, my own wardrobe could do with a bit of attention. I live in a small town where the choice is limited and I have very little time to go shopping. I like to touch and feel clothes I am buying so whilst internet is convenient, I often don’t find what I am looking for or what I receive is not what I was expecting.

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION 5. SORT OUT MY WARDROBE AND SHOPPING HABITS