So…we’re about to say goodbye to 2014 and welcome in 2015, with lots of wine, doughnuts and slurred singing to “Auld Lang Syne” (well in my case anyway..)

It’s at this time of year where my internet search history takes a familiar turn. It’s at this time where I start to reevaluate myself as a person and work out how I can change for the better. I fill up Google with phrases such as “Stylish looks for the office”, “Healthy snacks for the office”, “How to dress your shape”, and “Healthy recipes”.

To be perfectly honest, I’ve been revaluating myself for a while and have already made some changes to my hair and the clothes that I wear. I’m “forcing” myself to put on some makeup each morning and to try and take better care of my appearance. In 2015 I’m going to have to take this up to the next level for reasons which I cannot yet reveal.

And so on that note I’m going to throw the word “resolutions” into the mix. New Year’s Resolutions to be exact. Some people love them, some hate them. I personally love them and try to make some every year – and what’s really amazing is that I’m actually able to keep them, which brings me onto the next lesson:

Lesson 7: How to make and keep resolutions.

Last year I resolved to start and maintain a skin cleansing ritual, so that I could have healthy and beautiful looking skin. I went to the shops and bought the 3 Step Clinique set and haven’t looked back (It really has made a difference!). While it was difficult at the beginning, eventually I was able to incorporate it into my morning routine.

I guess that’s where I’m lucky. I love routine and always have done. My mum told me, that even as a baby I used to wake up at 12 / 3 / 6 and 9. (Not sure if that’s 100% true though…)

I also resolved to learn how to cook better and to keep my apartment tidier. I’m happy to report that improvements can be seen and tasted.

Losing weight was also a big resolution for me. I desperately wanted to shift 5 kg (which I have now concluded can’t actually be shifted!!!)

The word “Diet” has however been since banned from my vocabulary and I’m really glad that it has.

In the past I tried so many different types – such as berry detox or high protein/no carbs but while they did work (temporarily) I became so depressed and desperate for sugar and it made me realise how much I love food! And then I gained more weight than I lost.

I opted into changing my lifestyle. I started doing more sport (Zumba and Powerplates) and cooking lots of healthy and (well I thought) delicious meals. I also add Chia seeds into my morning cereal (I think I’ll write a blog post of just how amazing those little buggers are!)

I do also allow myself to enjoy the occasional treat as well (Haribo, Pizza, Chinese Takeaway etc.) to stop myself from going completely crazy.

I haven’t actually lost any weight but I do fit a lot better into my clothes ;-).

I’m also not going to stop at the end of the year.

So what about next year? 2015 – the year of big changes! It is also the year of the Wooden Sheep (for those interested in Chinese Astrology. I’m an Earth Dragon…)

I’m not going to reveal my New Year’s Resolution for 2015. This is due to a TED talk I watched recently.

In this talk, we were told that as soon as we reveal our goal to someone else, and get a positive reaction, we no longer feel motivated to achieve it as we’ve already received the desired positive recognition.

So my resolution will remain a secret but will hopefully affect a few people (in a good way!) and on that note – I’m off to prepare some apple crumble..because…apple crumble!

Thanks for reading!

Laura xxxxx