This is what Sophie, the mind behind 16 in '16 said about it The concept of 16 in '16 is simple; an opportunity to sit down, reflect on the past year and think about what things we did well, what things we'd like to do better in the future and, more importantly, what things we'd like to achieve in the coming twelve months.
For those of you who don't know, I lived in Glasgow for 4 years, I went for University, loved it so much, I stayed an extra year. I dream about it quite often and it is just a place I love. I often wonder about moving back there, but that is something for further down the line. I haven't been back since 2012, and I think a visit is long overdue.
Whilst I have degrees coming out of my ears, and I walked away from education in 2014, it seems I just love to learn. A professional diploma will be more practical and really help in my current job and my future career. I do hope to have it finished by the end of the year, but it depends how quickly I can save the money to start it.
Yes, I need to be an actual grown up and get a pension. I have been entitled to one at work since September, but i've been lazy about sorting it. I really need to start thinking of the future. I also need to sign up to the work health plan, as it just makes sense.
Also part of being an actual grown up, means I need to start putting some money aside, and not just spending it on dresses (it isn't like I actually need more dresses). Again this is part of thinking about my future. I would like to move out of my parents at some point.
I am on anti-depressants for depression and anxiety. In 2015 I managed to cut my dose from 150mg to 50mg (apart from a blip in November/December), I would like to further cut this to 25mg. I feel I have a much better grip on my mental health these days. That doesn't mean I am now ok, it just means I know the warning signs and have things in place to help me. For anyone struggling, I really recommend something like Talking Therapies, they helped me so much in 2014, when I genuinely felt I had nothing to live for, they gave me the toolkit to handle my mental health.
In 2015 I kind of fell out of love with blogging. I didn't feel relevant anymore, I didn't know what I had to offer that was unique, and I didn't think just posting outfits was enough. But i've come to realise, just being fat and visible is enough. So I want to get my blogging mojo back and fall in love with blogging again.
I want to continue to grow my hair, even though the urge to cut it off is always lurking (I have a plan of getting it long enough to donate to a wig making charity) but I want to learn to do more with it. 99.9% I just wear it down with the front pinned. I love vintage hair, I am however awful at doing it, so I would like to attend some hair classes and learn some vintage hair techniques, so I can actually do a bit more with it. This also goes for my make-up, while I am competent and can make myself look semi-decent, I would like to learn to do more.
I don't actually have that many friends around where I live *playing the world's smallest violin*. I have a lot of people who I know through blogging and who I do consider some of my closest friends. However they are scattered around the country. It would be nice to have people locally that I could go out with and do things with.
In 2015 I made so many amazing friends through blogging and the events I attended. In 2016 I want to spend more time with them, as they truly are some of the best times I've ever had. Road trips ahead! This also would mean attending more events, oh what a hardship.
I want to do more short breaks around Europe, see more of the amazing countries and places that are on our doorstep, just go and explore.
This year I really want to go to Disney at Halloween, that's the dream
I have two tattoos that I have wanted for about a year now and 2016 will be the year I get them done. I know the artists I want, I just need to plan it out and again save the money. I'm also thinking about getting my eyebrows tattooed, as they are shit and I want them to look better.
This one is pure vanity. I'm nearly 30, I don't think I will ever look as good as I look now (that is a terrifying prospect, but it really is all going downhill) so I want to capture that and have something to look back on one day. It will also be quite an achievement for me to have something like this, I'm quite shy (stop laughing) and standing in front of a camera, pretending I'm a sex kitten, it out of my comfort zone.
I am starting to think I will be forever alone, and that I might as well go collect my spinster card and start collecting dogs, that will have eaten my face when I'm found dead. HOWEVER I need to nip this thinking in the bud, mostly because men don't find it attractive and it is quite depressing, and actually put myself out there. I'm not saying I want to find the love of my life this year, but actually go on some dates and remind myself that I am worthy of love.
In the words of Elsa, I need to let it go. I am awful at comparing myself to others and picking flaws in myself. I can see all my short comings and rarely look at the good in myself (I really hope there is some). This is going to be hard and is more of a life change than the others and something I need to work on for the rest of my life. But baby steps, i would like to be able to accept compliments without giving some sarcastic reply or putting it down. I also want to work harder to just accepting that I am me, I can't be someone else, and that is ok.
I spend a lot of time sat on my butt watching Netflix. I need to maybe spend a bit more time actually doing stuff, even if it is just taking Charlie on longer walks. This isn't about losing weight, it is just about not being out of breathe when I run for 30 seconds. I have already signed up for the Color Obstacle Rush, and I would like to be able to do some jogging around it.
Who knows what could happen if I just said yes more than overthinking and being frightened of what might happen?
There are a few other lovely ladies taking part in "16 for '16" so why not have a look at their blogs:
