How to make resolutions you can really stick to

Phil and I enjoying a walk in the New Forest

How to make new year resolutions you can really stick to.

Very often New Year's resolutions seem to focus around giving something up - giving up smoking, giving up drinking, going on a diet et cetera. These are worthwhile things to do if you need to do them but they're awfully difficult to stick to because of the nature of the phrase “giving up”. So over the past few years I've tried to create resolutions that are about taking up something positive rather than giving up something negative.


Some of you might know that last year I lost my beloved Dad, far too young at  the age of 71.
 And I was devastated, it's one of the many reasons why my blog posts suddenly ceased to be updated last year. However my New Year's resolutions are centred around how brilliantly he lived his life. 

LOVE If you're lucky enough to find love and cherish it. Mum and Dad’s marriage was a superb one, full of love care and respect, kindness, harmony and understanding. It is something I try to emulate with my own darling husband. He has supported me so well over the past few terrible months. My resolution is to ensure I fully appreciate everything he does, and nuture our marriage.

Nephews and Nieces playing

FAMILY My Dad also cherished my brother and I. I don't have children however there are plenty of children in my life and over my years as a teacher I have absolutely cherished the positive relationships I've had with my students. With many of whom I'm still in contact. I also love it when I see parents fully connecting with their children's friends, they bring laughter to your life and your home I recommend you embrace it.


JOY Find something that you like to do and do it a lot. My dad was a racing driver to the very last. He was constantly involved in cars, Karts, engines, tuning, you name it; if it had wheels and  an engine he was involved with it. My own love is of course my art. Something in which Dad fully supported me, so I would recommend you to have a resolution of finding something that you like to do and incorporate it into your life more. Having a job you love, or at very least a hobby you adore. It makes the hard times easier to bear when there’s a good thing to have in your life.

SHARE Dad always shared his knowledge and would help people whenever he could, he could fix anything, mend anything, build anything. A wonderful resolution is to share what you have with others. So positive for everyone.


TIME Lastly give people you time. In a world that doesn’t stop, taking time to have a cuppa and a chat with someone could mean the world.


If you want to take up an artistic hobby and don’t know where to start, I have a couple of places left on only two of my workshops. Find out more here.

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Workshops

Sketching on the rocks at Eagle Bay, Western Australia with my Sister in law

​I also have new work, inspired by my wonderful Dad, coming soon. So check my website in the coming weeks to see what’s new.


Happy 2018

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