5 Goals, 5 Years.

In 5 years time, I'll be 28. Thats a scary number! When I was a little girl and I used to plan out my ideal life; by the age of 28 I was married with kids on the way. Its laughable how "old" I thought 28 was. Now, I'm pushing the idea of settling down with kids to my mid-30's!

But, little Aimee did have one thing right - by the time I turn I turn 28 I would love to be settled into a career I love, with a lovely home and confidence in myself. With this in mind, I've devised 5 goals to be achieved in the next 5 years. Some will be easier than others, but with 5 years to complete I'm fairly confident!

To: Take more photos.

Out of all my friends, I am one of the more snap-happy. I love looking at old photos and being reminded of the memories they evoke. But I still don't take enough to satisfy my passion - especially when I have such a lovely DSLR. I want to get out and explore more with camera in hand, and if I have to force my friends to pose for me then so be it! I love the thought of showing my life to my children when I'm older.

To: Craft more. 

I've always been a creative person. My whole family is really - from Dad's wood skills, mum's sewing creations and Katie's artistic flair. The dream would be to have a designated craft room in my house where I could hide away for hours. Every Christmas I'll make a load of DIY gifts from Jam to knitting a scarf this year! But from now on I'd like to craft throughout the year. Not having the space or time is usually my excuse, but as something I love to do I want to make the time and space from now on.

To: Spend more time with family and friends. 

A simple but overlooked one now. I often feel very lucky to have such amazing family and friends and I don't see near enough any of them. I need to get off my arse and plan trips to see my further-afield friends and outings for the ones close by. Stat.

To: Love where I live. 

As the years have passed I've become more and more of a homebody and my OBSESSION for homeware has taken full force. It thrills me far more than new clothes do now. I got excited by placemats the other month! I'm literally 23 going on 80 over here. Myself and Craig will be moving out together this year, which I'm SUPER excited about! We just need to find the flat of our dreams to house all my pretty kitchenware now...

To: Be myself always. 

Finally, one to abide by. As with most people, the older you get the more comfortable you become in your own skin. I'd like to be my true self always, starting now, and live my life on my own terms.

5 goals for 5 years. Let's hope I stick to them!

Aimée
Xxxx

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Dreaming of the Future.

You may be wondering where the hell I've been, as I have maintained radio silence on my corner of the internet for many a month now. I've been wanting to write ever since my last Sunday Cook post, but all ideas had left me. I had no inspiration, and I could sense my heart wasn't really in it every time I sat down to attempt a post. In true cliche blogger style, I'd rather have taken the time out to recharge my blogging batteries than send mediocre content out into the ether.

But with the start of 2015, and the promise of an exciting year full of change I'm spurred on to write again.

The celebration of a new year is a funny thing really. Each and every year we announce how we will become version 2.0 of ourselves; thinner, fitter, more successful, happier, etc. But, by the end of Dry January we're all bitter and disillusioned by this so called "fresh start" and are back to our old ways.

Is it a bad thing to attempt to reinvent ourselves each new year though? I don't think so. Even if I fail every time its an opportunity to reflect and figure out what kind of a person you truly want to be. I'm not sure if i've figured out the latter just yet, but reflection is a pastime I spend far too much time doing.

2014 has had its ups and downs. I made my first real career move, moved out and fully supported myself for the first time. On the flip side; I've struggled to maintain this blog consistently and have spent many hours questioning where exactly I'm headed professionally.

I'm not going to set "resolutions", because I know I'll break them. But here are some goals for 2015:

- To establish what I love to do, and try and harness that into a career
- To craft more
- To find a new home for myself and Craig that we love
- To live a healthier and more active lifestyle

Happy New Year to all! What are your goals for the future?

Aimée
Xxxx

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One Stone Down, One To Go...

"Just keep going" "One stone down, one to go" These are my current mantra's. If you haven't guessed already, I've been on a bit of a health kick and have so far lost a stone. This might not mean a whole lot to some people, but to me? Its a serious achievement and I'm rather chuffed about it.

Ever since I was a baby (9lbs and more!!) I've always been a bit on the chubbier side, and like most teenagers stressed about it the whole of my childhood. I would constantly 'go on a diet' - which would really mean I'd keep putting it off - constantly giving myself one more day to eat bad food because I'd 'definitely be on the diet tomorrow'. If I ever actually made it on to the diet, I'd last at the very maximum a week and then I'd cave and eat a load of crappy food and generally feel rubbish about myself. Which then spurned onto comfort eating...vicious circle anyone?

Going to University in 2009 was never going to be good for my body, and in total I put on two stone over the three years. Unsurprising really, as most students put on weight with the constant takeaways, drinking and late nights. Its hardly a recipe for a healthy body! I 'tried' to lose weight, constantly taking up healthy eating patterns and stocking the fridge full of salad and veg only to be swayed by my house mates getting a takeaway and not wanting to be left out.

I put 'tried' in inverted commas, as looking back now I know I didn't try. The intention may have been there in mind, but to put it bluntly I was just too lazy to actually do anything about it. Now don't get me wrong, I was never crazily overweight, but I was definitely storing a cake shelf around my middle that didn't need to be there.

So, how did everything change? Since the beginning of January I've lost a stone and if you follow my Instagram, you'll know I've still eaten many cakes (Its an addiction!). I've finally realised that losing weight is all a mindset, if you're not 100% into something you're never going to achieve your best, right? Also, saying 'I'm going on diet' instantly makes your body crave sugar and your hand reach for the nearest fatty food.

Instead, I told myself I was having a 'health kick' - scaling down my portion sizes, having Friday treat day for fun sugary things and exercising more. Its simple really, eat less - exercise more. But for years that just wouldn't sink in. I still allow myself to eat 'bad' things if I want them, because I know if I deny myself completely I'll just sink back into my old yo-yo ways. No one wants to go cold turkey on cake -its just not right!

I have to also say, that being healthy with other people is such a big help. My sister begun losing weight towards the end of last year, and seeing how well she was doing and how great she looks now was such a big motivation. Now we can 'talk each other down from the ledge' if cakes are being passed around the office, go for long walks to exercise and its an excuse to go shopping when clothes no longer fit. ;) So, thanks for the help Katie :)

Anyway, I think I've rambled on long enough - this was really just a chance for me to share my experience, and hopefully help motivate anyone else who's currently having a health kick! My next goal is another stone, so wish me luck! Let me know if any of you are trying to shed a few pounds, its always easier to do when you're doing it along with someone. :)

I hope you're all having a wonderful week!

Aimée
Xxxx

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