I haven’t really ever been good at sticking to New Year’s resolutions, but my lovely friend Lucy shared a post recently, 18 for 2018. Leslie from Messy Blog UK has kindly tagged me to take part so as I sit here reflecting on this year and thinking about the future I thought I would share my list of 18 for 2018. The idea of this is that it’s partly a bucket list and partly goal setting, with a focus on putting yourself first.

The New Year always makes me feel refreshed, reinvigorated and positive, so without further ado, here is my 18 for 2018:

1. Drink more water

I started drinking more water at the beginning of this year and felt much better for it, but as the year went on I fell off the bandwagon with it. I am going to make an effort to drink at least 2-3 big bottles of water a day.

2. Cleanse, tone, moisturise

I have been a bit up and down with my skincare routine this year, and I have noticed recently that my skin is much drier. I am going to get back into doing my skincare routine twice a day and will try to do a face mask at least once a week.

3. Find a good hair mask

I have been trying to grow my hair longer for a while now and I have regular trims to keep it healthy, but it has been very dry. I’m going start using a hair mask once a week. If anyone uses a hair mask, I would love to hear your recommendations.

4. Take my vitamins

Another thing I have been a bit up and down with this year. I’m going to make sure I set a daily reminder on my phone to take my vitamins

5. Walk more

I got into a good routine for a while with going for daily walks and was aiming for 10,000 steps a day but stopped when I was having more and more issues with my back and it got too cold. I’m not going to put any pressure on myself but will try to get out for a gentle walk a few times a week.

6. Read 12 books

I have recently started trying to read a little bit each day when I hop into bed, so I think this goal is definitely achievable. I’ll be keeping track of my progress on Goodreads.

7. Continue to be mindful about food

Smaller portion sizes, healthier choices, only eating until I feel satisfied rather than full. Eat a bigger breakfast, and a smaller lunch and dinner.

8. Lose more weight

I managed to lose some weight in 2017 but I still have a long way to go. I’m going to start tracking my progress on My Fitness Pal again to help myself get back on track with it

9. Declutter

This year I made a start on decluttering our house. I’m going to continue this in 2018

10. Start a bullet journal

I wanted to do this in 2017 but never really got around to it. I’m going to buy myself a notebook and start one in 2018

11. Start meal planning again

I’ve been feeling a bit uninspired with food recently so I’m going to start planning our meals again and will try out at least one new recipe a week

12. Bake more

I have three Ella’s Kitchen books that have some really yummy looking recipes in them, I'd love to start baking with my little boy

13. Write more

I love writing but haven’t done much for quite a while now. Most of the things I’ve written for my blog this year are sitting in my drafts waiting to be published. In 2018 I’m going to find some linkys to join and get back into blogging regularly

14. Improve my photography skills

I’m doing a self-paced photography course that I haven’t finished yet, 2018 is going to be the year that I finish it and focus on learning more about my camera and photography

15. Explore more with my boys

We had some lovely adventures together this year, I can’t wait to go on more and document them in 2018

16. Take part in the Me and Mine Project

I keep saying to my husband I want try to take at least one family photo a month so I’m going to get involved with the Me and Mine project

17. Improve my Italian

I used to be near fluent in Italian but I’ve lost a lot of confidence when it comes to speaking the language. I’m going to make an effort to speak Italian with my family more

18. Start The Jar Project

Beginning on New Years Day, I will start filling an empty jar with little notes about good things that happen throughout the year. Then next New Year’s Eve, I’ll read through and reminisce about all the good things that happened

I'd like to tag Karen from Our Irish Family, Deborah from Country Heart and Home, Victoria from The Growing Mum, Jess from Tantrums to Smiles, Katie from Living Life Our Way, Sarah from Mummy Cat Notes, Fazeelah from DhillonDeeds, Georgina from Georgina Clarke, Naomi from Me Becoming Mum and Katie from Heels and Hooves.

Do you set goals each year on New Years Eve? If so, I would love to hear some of your goals for 2018