2011 Resolutions- Life Goals

I wrote earlier about the goals for this blog I have for 2011, but I also have a lot of goals I want to achieve in my own life. Some of them are small goals that I want to achieve to make my life better day to day, and others are more long-term goals that I hope to achieve by the end of the year. Others are goals that I will strive for forever.
New Year is a great time to make changes in your life. I'm excited to work on these goals.

1. Lose Weight

For the last few months I haven't felt my best and living away from home and the American way of life which involves a lot more eating out and convenience food than I'm used to has meant that I don't think I look my best. I don't intend to lose a lot of weight and I'm going to do it in a healthy way. I usually go to the gym 5 times a week, but I'm upping that to exercising every day. I'm drinking more water and only eating when I'm hungry. I'm using the app My Fitness Pal to log all my daily calories to keep me on track. I intend to reach my goals by my birthday but I'm thinking of it as a lifestyle choice more than a diet. I am also reading Mimi Spencer's 101 Things To Do Before You Diet which has some great tips.

2. Stop Biting my Nails

This is on my 21 things to do before I'm 21 list and will probably never happen. I am an obsessive nail biter and always have been. I can't imagine having the willpower to stop but I'm going to try.

3. Relax More
I am always a crazy-busy person.I always get up before 8am and I always have a to-do list as long as my arm. I like to be busy and I get more done when I am. But being home for Christmas has taught me to relax and not feel guilty about it. It's nice to not feel stressed. I'd like to make time, even just half an hour a day, to unwind.

4. Have more fun and be spontaneous
I find it far too easy to say no. I like my schedules and organization and I can't cope when things mess up my schedule. I'd like to spend less time procrastinating so I can do more things that make me happy.

5. Change my hair

 These pictures of Taylor Momsen are my hairspiration

As you may already know, I'm planning on growing out my bob and dying out my pink hair. I'm planning on getting the pink dyed dark brown next week and then growing it as long as I can. I've had shortish pink and blonde hair since I was 16. It's time to move on.

6. Surround myself with people who make me happy
It's difficult to realise that some relationships aren't worth hanging on to and this year I want to make more of an effort with the people I like. I get scared going from acquaintances to friends, but this year I'm going to make that leap. I'm going to ask someone I only know a little for coffee and spend time with new friends. This is how I've made nearly all my friends and I don't want potential friends to pass me by.

7. Pay more compliments
I would like to live a more positive life and build more positive relationships. No-one will ever be offended that you like their dress or their lip colour. It will make them happy and in turn make me happy. What do I have to lose? I want to spread happiness in the world!!

8. Become a better photographer

Getting my new camera has been a bit of an overwhelming and intimidating experience. I didn't realise how much I have to learn. I'm going to make time to practice my photography, get move involved with looking at other people's pictures and read my photography guide more.

9. Be more confident
This is an on-going thing in every aspect of my life. I do myself down a lot and don't praise myself for my achievements. I never think I'm good enough for everything I achieved. This year I learnt that sometimes if you approach people, you can get what you want. This year I gave a stranger my number and I also kissed a boy first. I emailed a website who hadn't responded to my emails and offered me an opportunity far beyond what I had applied for. I was forced to reject work experience in January but was offered experience over the summer, which was what I wanted. All these experience led to good things and would never have happened if I hadn't made the first move. I need to learn to believe that I do work hard and I do deserve the outcomes. I need to stop being so needy and whiny and realise I've actually found someone who likes me for who I am and that I don't have to prove anything.

10. Shop less, wear more

These last few months have been one of only two periods of my life in the last 4 and a half years where I haven't had a job. And shopping has become far less fun. I have bought a few things over Christmas, but I've invested in pieces that will work well with my wardrobe; layers, neutral colours and simple dresses. I have been really enjoying remixing my outfits over the last few months and intend to carry it on all through next year, with as little unnecessary shopping as possible.

11. Make more time to read

As you may have noticed, my 52 Books in 52 weeks just kind of fizzled out as I ran out of time to read. I realise now that this task was probably a little too difficult, but I'd like to read at least 30 new books this year. I plan to make time to turn off my laptop and read for an least half an hour every night and finally read all the classic texts I've wanted to read forever.

12. Appreciate everything
Living away from home I have realised how much I love my home, England, my friends, my family. I am learning to appreciate the little things, but I still spend far too much time dwelling over how my thighs look and not on the things that make me happy. When someone does something that makes me smile, I want to remember it for longer than the fleeting moment in which it happens. Life is too short to be miserable. I want to appreciate all the wonderful things in my life.

What are your resolutions for this year?

Charlotte xxx