Last year was a mixture of ups and downs as always. I was suffering at the beginning of the year with the menopause feeling very low and depressed but now with the help of HRT I am back on track with renewed motivation and feeling much more like my old self.
I am looking forward to 2019 with new focus on what I want to do and get out of life. Towards the end of the year I lost a good friend very suddenly and recent events over the last few years have made me realise that life is short and you have to make every day count.
I don’t make resolutions as it sets yourself up to fail but set myself goals to achieve through out the year. One thing I am determined to do is enjoy each day and make the most of life. My goals are always divided into to professional and personal so here goes – what I have planned for the months to come.
PROFESSIONAL
- Vintage for Everyone Everyday has been my mantra for a few years now but this year I really want to push it further. With a focus on sustainable fashion and second-hand in the media I want to get everyone to at least think about what they buy and consider adding a touch of vintage to their wardrobe. With this in mind I will be encouraging fashionistas to shop pre-loved – so watch out for blog posts and Instagram feed full of influencers styled by me in vintage, using social media more to get the word out there and collaborating with others who share my passion for vintage.
- Dressed Magazine – my project for a while now but it is finally coming together – the aim is to launch early 2019 – the idea behind – vintage everyday without a petticoat or victory roll in sight!! My ultimate goal would be to have a book published on making vintage part of your everyday wardrobe.
- Learn to say NO!! I find it hard to say no to things and then end up getting stressed, taking on too many things so this year I will do only what excites me and helps me get to where I want to be – that may sound a bit selfish but for years I have offered my services for free but there comes a time when it has to stop and I have realised that I HAVE to put a value on my experience and give myself value.
So in summary I will do what I love and make it my mission to get my Vintage for Everyone, Everyday out to a wider audience and into the national press. If you would like to collaborate or know anyone who may like to help me get the vintage message out there get in touch.
PERSONAL
- Getting my life/work balance back on track has been a goal for a few years and I haven’t quite managed to achieve that yet!! Life is short and I have come to realise that even more recently so working with my lovely hubby we are going to make an effort to spend more quality time together, book holidays, organise fun adventures and have a jolly old time. Sometimes you think that it has to be expensive but I am going to look at ways that are fun, inexpensive – taking my inspiration from one of my favourite books – The Art of More for Less – Savvy Chic by Anna Johnson.
- Sustainability has always been pretty high on my radar but now even more so with single use plastic, fast fashion and waste being highlighted in the media for how we are destroying our planet. So every month I am going to make one change to our lifestyle to try to eliminate plastic and waste in the way we live. My guide in this is a recently launched book which is on its way and I am very much looking forward to reading it. I have never been one for high-street shopping but after seeing the mad frenzy of consumerism over Christmas I am re-thinking the way I shop, not buying things just because I want them but if I need them. There will always be pieces of vintage to die for and it won’t put an end to my shopping but I will definitely think before I buy.
- We started a major house re-vamp last year and we plan to get more done this year. Alongside the greener living we are aiming to de-clutter and only keep the pieces we really love. Over the years both my hubby and I have collected so much “old stuff” and it is taking over a bit. It is almost you can’t see the fabulous pieces we have in all the junk that manages to accumulate. So pieces will be donated, sold and gifted to give the house an overhaul. I am sure that we will buy and replace things that we need but will try not to buy unless we REALLY need it. The aim is to finish the house and garden this year so we can get back to enjoying being in it, getting back to entertaining and just enjoying the simple life in our home.
- I have been meaning to do this for a while but never seemed to do it – switching off the tech and putting down the phone at least one night a week to pick up and read a book. Having been an avid reader in my youth it has been put on the back burner in recent years so I am looking forward to getting back to the books – fiction, non fiction and biography – hit me up with recommendations.
Making the most of everyday, getting back to simpler things and not worrying about situations and people I can’t change are part of the plan. As I get older I care less about what others think – I have said this in the past but now am really focused on doing what I want to do and love rather than doing things that I think I should do. Selfish maybe but life is too short to not do exactly what makes me happy.
I am aiming to get back to blogging more too – documenting my adventures in the coming year, progress with the house and my green challenge so make sure you check back to find out how I get on.
