Friday 2 January 2015

New Resolutions for a New Year.

I love the New Year. It's a time for fresh starts and new resolutions. Since turning 50 last March I have slowly begun to realise my own mortality. I don't want to sound morbid, but the chances are that I'm over half way in this life of mine. More than one friend of mine has faced serious illness this year and that has made me value my health and family more than ever. Age has never bothered me - it's just a number - but the number I now own doesn't seem to match with who I am... How odd to be a 50 year old! Inside I am far younger. Anyway ... this year I am making resolutions, but not resolutions which will deny myself things. This year I resolve to enjoy every moment of my life. I want to be positive and strong.

I have never been one to live in the past. Nostalgia is really not for me and this year more than ever I plan to live in the Now and yet look to the future. I plan on learning new things, new skills. I am continuing to walk when I can and my husband and I have set a day to swim although this is clashing with my ballet classes... aaagh!. Last year I started yoga and I love it. I plan to keep on practising and attending classes, getting better and more flexible. Part of yoga that I love is the relaxing, meditative aspect and I have been using this to help my sleep. I hope to start running again too. If I can regain my love of it I will be thrilled!

If I am looking after my body with exercise then I need to think about what I am putting into it in the way of food and drink too. I have only one body and so far I have been extremely fortunate to be fit and healthy, but, to be honest, I have been a bit of a pig recently! I love good food and wine and have rather over indulged in both over the last few months!! I am going to try to drink more water and less wine! I want to eat more healthily too... smaller portions, more fruit and veg, more fish, less red meat. I think the key is forward planning and I have been enjoying some delicious recipes recently - full of fresh ingredients, fresh herbs.

In April I am booked onto a Hypnotherapy course and I cannot wait for it to start. I love the thought of learning something new and, eventually perhaps, changing direction career wise. Taking on a year's course is a big challenge and the fact that this is more science based than my usual love - the Arts - is not a little frightening! It is, perhaps, the fear factor that excites me just as much as the thought of a new skill, new knowledge.

self portrait courtesy of christianhook.com


I also plan on visiting more exhibitions this year. Last year I went to a few, but this year I want to see more, in particular Ai Weiwei at the Royal Academy and Christian Hook at Clarendon Fine Art. The older I get the more I realise how little I know!

I want to keep my mind open and push myself to make the most of every day. I am going to keep reading as much as possible and I plan on editing the book I wrote in November during NaNoWriMo. I feel like Ernie Wise talking about "The book what he wrote"!! I enjoyed the discipline of writing and, you never know, I might write something else... although I don't think JK Rowling or Stephen King have anything to fear!! Writing a novel in the month of NaNoWriMo certainly makes one appreciate the skill of real writers!!

I also want to cherish every moment I have with my family. As time goes on I am reminded every day just how lucky I am. My husband is my best friend, my rock and I love his company. I want to spend as much time together as we can. My boys are getting older and the time when they will leave home is drawing ever closer. I want to enjoy time with them too. I am determined to be more fun when we go skiing this year. When they ski over jumps I am going to follow them. Oh God! That really is scary!



So... those are my resolutions. I hope that I can look back in a year's time and see that I have lived a healthy, positive life, full of enthusiasm!! I will try not to be too annoying!!


6 comments:

passport and toothbrush said...

I love this time of year when we look back and at the same time look ahead of exciting things to come. Happy 2015!!

Tracy said...

These are great resolutions!
You really don't look 50, you know!
I'm 44 but I'm also post-menopausal and I too have had to acknowledge my own mortality (always a sobering thought) I've also had to change my ways for a healthier lifestyle because my body is saying "That's it for the free ride, Mrs, it's time to put the effort in now, so shift yer arse!". Meaning I've had to make lifestyle changes to enable me to stay relatively healthy. I have to watch my weight. I don't drink caffeine and my alcohol intake is down to a couple of pints of real ale a week. I want to be an active mum for my son. I chose to have him late on in life so I owe him that.
I hope 2015 is a great year for you and yours. Looking forward to reading about your adventures! :) xx

Unknown said...

Trying new things is a fab way to start the new year. I hope 2015 brings you a year full of new skills and happy memories.

Sarah Pellew said...

Hi Jaklien,Aftab and Tracy. Thanks so much for commenting! Happy New Year to you too.

I really identify with what you say Tracy. Its so true to say that your body gives you a free ride for a while, but then you have to start working for your health. I don't want to end up slouched on my sofa watching telly all the time! Thanks for being so nice about me not looking 50 - probably a good photo on a good day!!

Sarah xxx

E. M. Prokop said...

Hey Sarah! I love your resolutions. It's so true that when we realise our own mortality it does something to us to make us want to take care of ourselves.
I became vegan and started a workout program back in 2009, and it's done absolute wonders for my health. One of my passions is yoga, I'm so glad whenever I hear of someone else discovering it! I've not tried ballet..you have my admiration for doing that!
Congratulations on all of your excellent resolutions!
Namaste.

Sarah Pellew said...

Hi Eva! Thank you. I can feel the difference already of my changed diet so I can totally see how your health would have improved! Isn't yoga wonderful? My husband is going for the first time next week. I'm excited for him! Happy New Year and Namaste.
Sarah x