Happy new year everyone! I hope you all had a good time last night no matter what you got up to. Not to be a total Debbie Downer already but I'm a bit apprehensive about it being 2013. I'm very superstitious & I normally run a mile from anything featuring the number 13. Whilst 2012 started out as quite a promising year for me it all went to shit over the past few months. As I'm sure you all know by now my engagement came to an end after four years and I was left to be a single mum. This is a situation I never saw myself being in so its been quite a dark & depressing time. It is better not being with someone who treated me like crap anymore but it is also very lonely. I guess one good thing that's come out of it all is that I finally went to the doctor about my anxiety issues. I've been having cognitive behavioral therapy for the past couple of months and I already feel a lot better. Plus my relationship with Chloe is stronger than ever. We spend pretty much 24/7 together & we have such close bond. So I really hope that 2013 treats me a bit better & isn't actually unlucky at all. To try and make the best of it I have of course made some resolutions:
Be healthier
I'm only a size 10 but recently I've found myself hating the way my body looks. As soon as I gain a single pound of weight my face bloats up like a big balloon. I've spent the last few weeks stuffing myself silly on chocolate & junk. My clothes do feel a little tighter and I'm fed up of being flabby & out of shape so I'm doing something about it. I've taken inspiration from the Tone It Up diet for a while but I finally ordered the full plan when they had an offer on Cyber Monday. I really like the idea of this diet & it seems like the healthiest way to slim down. It consists of eating five small meals & doing one hour of exercise a day. Its actually not too difficult to follow as they have their own versions of treats such as protein pancakes & doughnuts. I'm gonna give it a proper go from now on so I'll let you know my progress.
Stop wasting money
Now I'm a single mum its down to me to pay for everything by myself. I've always been a spender rather than a saver but I'm trying my hardest to save up just incase I have to move house. I waste so much money on makeup and clothes when I already have so much. It might make for a more boring blog but I really can't afford to keep on buying new things all the time. This time last year I was over £1000 into my overdraft & now my account finally has a positive amount in it! So saving up & selling old stuff really does pay off. I've been monitoring my personal finances using an iPhone app called Spending Tracker and its definitely helped me to be more restrained. Seeing a + sign each month is definitely more rewarding than buying lots of stuff.
Do more with Chloe
This was one of my aims last year and I have started going to more toddler groups & classes. We've been going to baby ballet & swimming & shes gotten really good at both of them. In September Chloe will be starting pre-school so its only a matter of time before she goes off to school & I have to get a proper full-time job. She might even be going earlier than that as we get might get some free hours now. So I definitely have to make the most of the time we have left together. Shes such a clever girl so I try to teach her as many things as possible. Going to more groups will only help to improve her speech & social skills.
Blog more often
I'm such a slacker and on average I only manage to post about 10 times a month. I really want to change that this year because I love blogging so much. I'm really proud of my blog and only want it to grow. I'm gonna aim to post at least every other day & do some more YouTube videos too. I don't get to make many because my ex can never be bothered to take Chloe to his parents anymore so the house is never empty. But if she does go to nursery soon then I can spend my time being productive, doing freelance & blog work. I'm also gonna make a real effort to reply to all my comments & talk to more people on twitter.
Be happier
This is hard one as I naturally am quite pessimistic but I really just want to be happy this year. I've had so many hardships in 2012 and I've had bad anxiety & anger issues. Hopefully therapy will help me get through these further. I need to be more positive & spend my time doing things that I really enjoy. I'm tired of being negative all the time so I'm gonna try to stop moaning about everything & appreciate all the good things in my life.
Finally I'd just like to thank you all for your support over the past few years. Blogging is such a positive influence in my life & knowing that people read the things I post is so encouraging. I still do a little internal *squee* whenever I get a notification on my phone that someone has posted a comment. I've met some amazing people & had some fantastic opportunities through doing this. Going to another Leeds blogger meetup & being featured in Company magazine were definitely the biggest blogging highlights of my year. I can only hope I get to go to some more events this year and meet some more of you lovely ladies. So heres to 2013! I hope you all have a bloody brilliant year and I really hope I do too!
Be healthier
I'm only a size 10 but recently I've found myself hating the way my body looks. As soon as I gain a single pound of weight my face bloats up like a big balloon. I've spent the last few weeks stuffing myself silly on chocolate & junk. My clothes do feel a little tighter and I'm fed up of being flabby & out of shape so I'm doing something about it. I've taken inspiration from the Tone It Up diet for a while but I finally ordered the full plan when they had an offer on Cyber Monday. I really like the idea of this diet & it seems like the healthiest way to slim down. It consists of eating five small meals & doing one hour of exercise a day. Its actually not too difficult to follow as they have their own versions of treats such as protein pancakes & doughnuts. I'm gonna give it a proper go from now on so I'll let you know my progress.
Stop wasting money
Now I'm a single mum its down to me to pay for everything by myself. I've always been a spender rather than a saver but I'm trying my hardest to save up just incase I have to move house. I waste so much money on makeup and clothes when I already have so much. It might make for a more boring blog but I really can't afford to keep on buying new things all the time. This time last year I was over £1000 into my overdraft & now my account finally has a positive amount in it! So saving up & selling old stuff really does pay off. I've been monitoring my personal finances using an iPhone app called Spending Tracker and its definitely helped me to be more restrained. Seeing a + sign each month is definitely more rewarding than buying lots of stuff.
Do more with Chloe
This was one of my aims last year and I have started going to more toddler groups & classes. We've been going to baby ballet & swimming & shes gotten really good at both of them. In September Chloe will be starting pre-school so its only a matter of time before she goes off to school & I have to get a proper full-time job. She might even be going earlier than that as we get might get some free hours now. So I definitely have to make the most of the time we have left together. Shes such a clever girl so I try to teach her as many things as possible. Going to more groups will only help to improve her speech & social skills.
Blog more often
I'm such a slacker and on average I only manage to post about 10 times a month. I really want to change that this year because I love blogging so much. I'm really proud of my blog and only want it to grow. I'm gonna aim to post at least every other day & do some more YouTube videos too. I don't get to make many because my ex can never be bothered to take Chloe to his parents anymore so the house is never empty. But if she does go to nursery soon then I can spend my time being productive, doing freelance & blog work. I'm also gonna make a real effort to reply to all my comments & talk to more people on twitter.
Be happier
This is hard one as I naturally am quite pessimistic but I really just want to be happy this year. I've had so many hardships in 2012 and I've had bad anxiety & anger issues. Hopefully therapy will help me get through these further. I need to be more positive & spend my time doing things that I really enjoy. I'm tired of being negative all the time so I'm gonna try to stop moaning about everything & appreciate all the good things in my life.
Finally I'd just like to thank you all for your support over the past few years. Blogging is such a positive influence in my life & knowing that people read the things I post is so encouraging. I still do a little internal *squee* whenever I get a notification on my phone that someone has posted a comment. I've met some amazing people & had some fantastic opportunities through doing this. Going to another Leeds blogger meetup & being featured in Company magazine were definitely the biggest blogging highlights of my year. I can only hope I get to go to some more events this year and meet some more of you lovely ladies. So heres to 2013! I hope you all have a bloody brilliant year and I really hope I do too!
I totally didn't know what had gone on, I knew you were a single mom but didn't realise it all happened in 2012! You're awesome though, I love your blog and I think you're fab, though I've never actually met you, but thats okay right? I'm doing the same as you, I hate the way my body looks atm so need to sort that out, and need to cut down on the spending. I also want to spend more time with my nephews and nieces, which should be easier if I graduate this year - Which means for now I need to get my head down and make sure that happens!!! Hope you're okay :) xxx
ReplyDeleteyeah it only happened in october so still pretty fresh! feeling a lot better about everything now though :) best of luck with your goals sarah, sure you can pull them off! happy new year xx
DeleteCaroline you've done so well! You've proved just how much of a strong lady you are, Chloe has one killer role model to look up to! If you can find the positives in such a crap year there's no doubt that 2013 will be so so much better. You've achieved bloody loads and we're all there cheering you along :) you look flipping awesome but goodluck with the diet/excersise plan it's all about how you feel inside! Can't wait to see more from you and you know my inbox is always open should you want a chat! Happy 2013 lovely!
ReplyDeleteSarah
xx
aww sarah you're too nice to me :) surely 2013 can't be any crapper than last year, i hope so anyway haha. thanks so much. hope you have good year too! xx
DeleteSorry to hear about all the trouble you had this year. But it's good that you're getting help and that you and Chloe have came out of this stronger than ever. I wish you the best of luck with your resolutions and hope that your 2013 is a lot better x
ReplyDeletethank you, that means a lot. i really hope this is a better year for us. happy 2013 hayley! xx
DeleteThese are such great goals! I wish you all the best of luck for achieving them and hope you have an awesome 2013 (:
ReplyDeletethanks bee! i hope i actually get somewhere with them haha. happy new year! xx
DeleteI hope your 2013 is awesome sweet :) x
ReplyDeletethanks rai, right back atcha! xx
DeleteWishing you all the best for 2013 Caroline! From your posts over the year I've seen you're an amazing person and a fab Mum (plus you're gorgeous too!). I want to try to be healthier too - not to lose weight but just to maybe eat less chocolate haha!
ReplyDeleteRobyn Mayday
xx
n'aww you're too sweet robyn :) chocolate is the hardest thing to give up, if you can do that you can do anything haha. hope you have a great year too xx
DeleteHappy new year I hope 2013 treats you better xxx
ReplyDeletethanks a lot, hope you have a good year xx
Deletestop wasting money, something I need to do. I might use the note thing on my phone to keep a tally of what I spend. I'm single and don't see myself meeting anyone and I want to move out from home so I need to save for a house deposit on my own. Quite a big task eek. I think 2013 will be great for you :) xxx
ReplyDeletethanks gem hope you have a good year too! gawd saving is such a pain, especially for expensive things like a place of your own. good luck! xx
Deleteso sorry to hear about the troubles you've had last year. This year will be a better one for all of us I am sure! thank you for your recommendation on the spending tracker, will definitely get that for my phone.
ReplyDeleteAll the best and keep your head up! Katie x
thank you katie, it means a lot :) the tracker helps so much, definitely helpful to someone clueless about finance like me! happy new year xx
DeleteWell done for staying so positive despite all the 2012 hardship. I can't imagine how hard it must be but by setting yourself goals and having aspirations you're really getting somewhere :). Hope you get to do loads with Chloe in the next few months.
ReplyDeletee x
yeah that was my thinking, much better to try change the situation than sit around and mope haha. happy new year ellie! xx
DeleteHappy New Year & good luck with your 2013 resolutions.
ReplyDeleteSarah
PrettyGloss - makeup, beauty & a lil gibberish
thanks sarah happy new year! xx
DeleteGreat goals lovely and achievable ones too. You deserve all the happiness in the world and I hope 2013 will be a wonderful one for you and Chloe!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rafflesbizarre.blogspot.com
thanks jess :) hope you have a good year too! xx
Deletegood luck with your goals, especially the happiness one and spending time with your daughter.I really do admire your determination and how pro active your attitude is :)
ReplyDeletehappy new year!
Rosie x
littlestagg.blogspot.com
aww thanks! i think its important to try change things if you're stuck in a rut so a positive attitude is a must :) happy new year xx
DeleteI hope you have a great year, you deserve it xx
ReplyDeleteHappy 2013 Caroline, despite the difficulties, hope you're super proud of everything achieved in 2012 and best wishes for onwards and upwards this year, also you deserve some recognition for the fab attitude to giving Chloe every opportunity to fulfil her potential, even this early.
ReplyDeleteI love the spending app you recommended! All the best for the new year xx
ReplyDelete