As usual Christmas is a chaotically pleasant time of the year, when you get surprise visits from friends and family you haven't seen since the year before - let alone planned to exchange gifts with. It's a time for mass buying, overeating, watching films on TV (despite the fact you've had it in DVD for years and not had the slightest inclination to watch it) and those delightfully corny novelty Christmas jumpers.
This year I was lucky enough to evade the whole saga of secret Santa (thank goodness) but still ended up overbuying for my daughter and various others.
My dad and new stepmother had chosen particularly interesting gifts for me this year, a cardigan with black fur edging - which could have easily been animal pubes, and a orange metal watch (not that lovely copper tone - think lollipop lady cyborg) which I almost got both wrists in. It would act as an eccentric Flava Flave belt for an infant.
I know Christmas is not just about presents. But as an atheist - it isn't about "the story" for me. My family are scattered across the uk and do not function excessively well together, so it's lots of visiting and eating and wine and gifts and telly for us. That's how we seem to like it.
I think next year I won't start shopping so early, so I don't over buy and then lose the presents - replace them only to find the original lost ones later...
Not all my presents were diabolical - I got some lovely smellies and the obligatory pyjama sets I use all year round. So that was pretty good!
Predictably I am completely awed by the fact Christmas, the timeless zone in the middle and new year went by in a blur and I will be dating things with the year 15 until May time when it finally clicks...
Retail work means very little time off (Christmas Day) but I did enjoy the holiday season with my family - when I was actually not at work!
I always make resolutions but rarely feel the need to stick to them - making them is enough right?
Anyway, it's time to make some positive changes - in place of my usual abandoned resolutions.
Here is my list thus far :
1. Spend less time on social media - ironically posted on a blog but I know I want to stop trying to capture moments in life and just enjoy them and live them in real time, without seeing them through an iPhone screen.
2. Read all half finished novels - and donate to charity or give them to friends . Books are best shared, and I've had my fair share of them from charity shops so I feel it's important to give back.
3. Learn a new recipe every month - ideally it would be weekly but with my hours it seems unlikely to be as possible as a monthly one, plus a meal a month can be perfected and adapted over that time!
4. Take better care of myself, physically emotionally and mentally - 2015 took a huge chunk of confidence and self worth from me. I know by getting fitter and by not allowing people who don't deserve my time, in my life, I will get that part of me back and stronger than ever.
5. Stop comparing myself to other people - so hard to do but something I'm really aware of - I am doing things my way and that's fine. My body is my own my choices are mine to make. Be unapologetically myself.
6. Make time - watch less tv and do something productive instead. Reading or writing or even knitting!
7. Do not, under any circumstances, cut the fringe back in - weeks and months growing it out! Think of the in between phase where it just stabs you in the eye unless you cave and do a pompadour thingy with a million Bobby pins. Let's not go back there.
I think these changes will really help me
Focus on the good things and continue to improve my way of thinking. I'm determined to make 2016 the best yet! Optimistically on it 🔥
