Goals – Six Month Check Up

It seems I saw out 2015 with much hope in my heart, setting some interesting personal challenges and then adding to them in early January. Since we’re half way through the year I thought it might be fun to recap and see where I’m at with those.

Instead of being all list-y, I’ll break this into lifestyle categories I think.

Travel & Adventure

Well, I’m no closer to NYC but I have been up to the North! We stayed in a hotel so I think it counts. Seriously though, I don’t think there’ll be a foreign break this year as too much has come up for us financially but Glynn is taking driving lessons so there will be some adventure. TBH I’d be happy with a road trip just us at this stage. We’ll get more exotic when we can.

Work & Education

New job? Nope. But things are better so I’m much happier. I do crave more creative freedom but that’s okay, I feel my blog helps with that.

I haven’t signed up for the coding course yet but I am about to do an online Forensic Science and Profiling Diploma, because my obsession with true crime has obviously gone way too far! I’ve also picked up a sketch book and I’m looking to start a 10 week drawing class in September. So not bad on the extra-curricular front if I say it myself!

Health & Well-being

I’m still going to the gym around 3-4 times a week and I can feel noticeable change in my hench-ness. I’m enjoying doing this for myself, with no motive other than wanting to feel stronger.

I think I’m doing better at not running myself down for not looking like other people. I try not to say derogatory things about myself. We all have low days though and on those days I stay away from mirrors and do nice things for myself until it passes.

General Life

I’m saying yes to more good stuff and no to more shit – and that feels bloody great. I don’t spend too much time with people I don’t care for and that feels even better.

I also feel like I’m getting better at the over-apologies. They’re born of insecurity and, for me, are a hangover from a bad relationship, so I’m happy to work on letting this characteristic go. I know in my heart I have nothing to be sorry for, ever and I have as much right to be present as any other fucker.

Finances

Well, I’m not rich but I did pay off a large chunk of debt just after Christmas. I’m currently on a no-shopping ban too which is helping.

Look, I’m always going to have a bit too much of an interest in online shopping and there will always be good months and bad months but we’re doing okay. We’d love to buy somewhere in the next few years and that is going to require massive dedication and sacrifice, so I feel okay about being a bit free and easy at the moment.

Self

I have been tattooed a couple of times in 2016, including my very favourite Wonder Woman tattoo which I realise I haven’t even photographed since it’s healed. I will try to do that properly soon. I’ve been reading more, been taking some fine #selfies and all in all I’m a happy lady.

I know I have to write more, I know sometimes I have a tendency to coast through life at a comfortable pace but generally I like life and the people in it. I’m lucky to have a good family and I’m in good health, so for now there’s nothing to really complain about.

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There’s still time to make change and get better at my new hobbies, especially the drawing. I have a weird feeling there’s a distinct illustrative style buried within me and I just want to coax it out!

I think the sign off on this 6 month catch up is just to keep on keeping on. Which is what I intend to do.

How’re you guys doing? ❤

All images via Unsplash.

Goals: Redux

Goal: Be even more awesome

People can be really huffy about resolutions and I get it when we’re bombarded as soon as Boxing Day is over with spam emails from Weight Watchers and gym groups. But I kind of like them myself.

I feel like I’m quite a pro-active kind of chap when I want to be and I respond well to being held accountable, even if it’s just to an old Blog post, written and viewed only by myself.

So I am the kind of person who thinks about resolutions and goals as the NY starts undulating toward us. Of course I’ve already set some goals but I’ve been thinking of some more. Here they are:

• I will not say anything derogatory about my body in 2016 – Verrry challenging but I’m going to try because I deserve this and so does every woman of every size, shape, etc
• I will buy and keep a sketch book close to me, and find a drawing style – I don’t think I have any talent in this arena but that’s okay, I’m at a point in my life where I can happily accept that just because I’m shit at something, it doesn’t mean I shouldn’t do it
• I will be more direct and less apologetic – No explanation needed
• I will not doubt my skills at work no matter how I am made to feel – I’m a paranoid android from 9-5, this needs to change
• I will read the classics I have not yet read – There are a lot. I’m really looking forward to this one
• I will up my selfie game – IMPORTANT

Right. Happy New Year all, I’m off to achieve some of these bad boys. Starting with… maybe buying a sketch book?

See you soon!

Stuff I DEFINITELY Won’t Be Buying in the January Sales

January is a very depressing month for many. For me it’s kind of okay because I’ve had extensive Hermit Training and don’t mind not seeing anyone but my husband for extended periods of time. I also have 78 unread books in a pile next to the bed so I’ll be busy, thanks.

That said, I do have to go to work like most other people and that means being near the internet and the January Sales which are there just to cheer us up, aren’t they? Nothing like instant gratification to fight off the New Year Blues, if only for the 15 seconds it takes to tear into the packaging and unearth our new friends.

I’ve been coveting quite a few things, how unusual for me, and here they are. Some things that are already in the sale or I hope soon will be, so I CAN RESIST THEM and feel VIRTUOUS.

All items in this post available via ASOS.com (but of course).

ASOS Curve Monochrome Jumpsuit, £22.50 (Reduced from £45) ~ ASOS Curve Twist Bardot Skater Dress, £30 ~ Adidas Originals Polka Dot Track Pants, £33 (Reduced from £55)

God I love this jumpsuit. This would be a very welcome addition to the work wardrobe, looks instantly smart and chic, and would rock with a bold, colourful statement necklace to offset the monochrome.

That dress! I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable with that much flesh on show in the office but I do feel my shoulders are one of my best features, so I could rock this in the pub feeling feminine AF. Lovely and a little bit ‘braver’ than my usual style.

These track pants are currently out of stock in my size but I want them so bad. Right now I live in gym gear after work, so these would add a much needed cool injection. Not that I care about being hot in the gym (just as well really).

New Look Inspire Tailored Coat, £29.50 (Reduced from £39.99) ~ Adidas Originals Pastel Rose Shopper Bag, £19.50 (Reduced from £33) ~ ASOS Curve Knitted Bodycon Dress in Metallic Stripe, £19 (Reduced from £38)

I feel like I haven’t quite nailed the coat thing this Winter which isn’t such a disaster given that we haven’t had weather cold enough yet. I don’t think this tailored lovely is a very warm looking option but it is gorgeous. And I’ve got some great brooches that need showcasing, so…

Another one for the gym and isn’t it pretty?

This dress has been on my Wish List for a long time. I adore it. I like knit and basically, I just want it, okay?

ASOS Curve Lounge Pant, £22 ~ ASOS Curve Jumpsuit with Zips, £24 (Reduced from £48) ~ ASOS Curve Plunge Wrap Bow Side Teddy, £25

I thought this was the whole set but it appears just to be the bottoms. You can get the top to match here. How cosy!

Another jumpsuit and actually, if I had to choose between this and the monochrome (above), I’d have a hard time. I mean look at it. It looks so finished. I love the zips, which add a real utility edge. Dreamy.

How hot is this? I’m not a roaming around the flat in a negligee type but if I was… I’d do it in items like this. SEXY.

And last but not least, on top of my Most Wanted List, this bad boy:

Babyliss New Big Hair, £45

My boo, Tatty of Camelia Ophelia has this and I’m certain it would transform my life. I have big hair already but it has a tendency toward frizziness, especially in the windy weather. This could just be the thing to finally tame it. Image how chic I could finally be!

~

So there you go, there’s my impossibly superficial Sales Wish List. Of course, I won’t be purchasing any of this for myself because I’ve decided to take charge of my finances in 2016 and won’t be in a position to shop until at least April.

I’ve also decided to treat myself to the ultimate #selflove tattoo (it will be small and discreet), inspired by this post. Of course I will reveal all when the time comes but any spare pennies will be going towards that (my final, yet vital extravagance).

I’m serious about clearing my debt, but a girl can still dream, right?

UPDATE: I accidentally bought the stripey dress and the monochrome jumpsuit. They were ridiculously cheap (reduced further). Tatty made me do it! Ha. (What? It’s not New Year YET).

Goals

This year I’m doing goals rather than resolutions because let’s face it, those are just made to be broken. Why set yourself up for a fall before you’ve even begun?

God knows what the Hell I was waffling on about when I posted last year’s but they’re here if you’d like to see for yourself (Top Tip: Don’t bother).

So, my goals and things I would like to achieve in 2016:

• Travel – don’t care where but preferably, finally, NYC
• New job – it’s about time I started thinking about what I can do and using that, rather than just making do. Sad, but true
• Coding course – I really want to learn more about web building, etc and I’ve found a great course. I just need to find the funds now! (See Shopaholism, below)
• Continue to be active – I love what the gym has done for my peace of mind and stress levels so I would like to keep it up
• Say ‘No’ more – I have to stop making plans with people I’m just not that into. I do it to avoid being mean and then end up sitting through boring evenings with people I’d like to punch really hard in their patronising/self-absorbed/smug faces (and breath)
• Pay off my debts – boring sensible goal but one that hopefully will be within my grasp this year
• Crack my Shopaholism – I’m not going to stop shopping because that is ridiculous when it brings me so much joy but I do need to curb it, and try only to buy quality, or pieces I really can’t live without
• Get more tattoos – finish my arm, retouch some old stuff and be a happy tattooed babe
• Do something with my writing/do some actual writing – because a portfolio doesn’t just build itself

That’s me this year. How about you?

What are your goals for the new year, if any?

Bah Bye 2014!

Well well well, here we are on the cusp of a brand new year and it feels like we were standing here not so long ago, doesn’t it? Where did 2014 go?

That said, quite a lot of shit has gone down and even as I ponder how speedily those months have flown by, I know it has felt like a full year.

The obligatory recap (and you will have to forgive me for a rather long and self indulgent post):

It’s hard to believe that A Voluptuous Mind has only been in existence since March. Before that I wore a few monikers, including The Meet Cute and Groupie for the Underdog.

Looking back on my blog is how I know what I did, what my mental states were throughout and what I have achieved.

I started my current job role in February after what felt like an epic battle to get it. I went up against my (now) good friend and in the end won it based on my writing ability. To me a great victory, even if it appears small to others.

It’s been a huge learning curve, stepping up from the bottom (where all good employees begin) into Head Office and having to adapt accordingly. For the most part I am happy and doing well, with a few frustrations that don’t seem important now. I’m doing okay work wise. Whether I will ever have a career based on what I do now is another matter, but is something to have a think about.

What my job has given me is a handful of really brilliant friendships and for that how could I ever be mad? I’ve been touched by the love I have received from three of my now closest friends and feel like a stronger person for each one of them. I’ve been inspired to get off my ample arse and move, in the best possible way – to think about what I want from life, who I want to share it with and invest in.

These women are a million light years away from the unhealthy friendships I have put up with in the past and that’s just magical really.

Among the hair brained schemes I had at the beginning of 2014 were: singing lessons, hula hooping and running. Only one of those stuck to be honest, but hey, that’s better than nothing. I also tried my hand at reviewing a few movies and books, which is something I would like to take into the new year.

I plan to have my nose stuck in a book as much as possible next year, rather than on my phone or whiling the hours away on Candy Crush Soda (which has not real merit at all). Ditto Netflix.

Resolutions 2014 Edition

Last year my husband gave up bacon for the whole of 2014.

As I write this, he hasn’t broken this vow once and although his resolution has been a hard one to stick to, especially at sociable breakfast times, he has chosen to hold fast.

This year, for him, it is a toss-up between giving up Facebook or beer.

I think I’m going to take a leaf out of his book in 2015 and quit chocolate. Seems legit, no? Who needs it really? And there are plenty of sweet treats a girl can turn to if she needs one.

On top of that I’ve been thinking of what I can do this year by way of resolutions and I’ve come up with this:

• Move whenever I can (which I already try to do)
• Stop putting myself down
• Stop being angry at things I can’t change
• Stop spending so much on useless toot
• Write like nobody’s reading (I’m going to write more candidly from now on, so hold onto your hats!)

Not so bad, is it? Not so very difficult. Stop gorging myself on the food of the Gods, move my arse, write and be a nicer person.

Done, done and done.

I can’t find the link to last year’s resolutions but I’m going to take a wild stab at the conclusion that I didn’t achieve many of them.

I did take singing lessons (briefly), become more active and took up hula hooping, so it wasn’t a complete bust. I’ve made some amazing friends, been to nice places and genuinely, honestly, I love my life.

I’m also at a place where I feel strong and hopeful. I feel good about what I have and anything more I gain on top of that will only enhance the feeling. I’m so well-loved that there isn’t anything I can’t do if I want to.

I might come back to this before the year fades out, but for now I’m happy with my small list.

What are your thoughts on the dreaded New Year’s Resolution?

Set Three Goals

First things first: let’s set some goals and plan for success. Via The Daily Post’s Blogging 201 program (20th October 2014)

A brief one from me today but I wanted to check in on Blogging 201’s first day and set out my three goals.

This is quite a hard one since I haven’t really thought about what I want to achieve yet, even though I’m over 100 posts in.

Well, beyond:

• Get discovered and offered my own column in the Telegraph
• Get paid filthy obscene money for one day’s work every week
• Work from home blogging in my pants for the rest of my days

You know, realistic things.

I looked over the examples on this prompt and picked out a few I thought I could genuinely achieve. Not very original but there’s plenty of time for that in my writing, right? Right.

• Create an editorial calendar for the next three months by November 1st. Honestly, I really need to look this up as I like the idea of having a plan, even if it’s not set in stone – but I have no clue how to do it.
• Start, and maintain, a regular (weekly?) feature. Once I figure out what that will be.
• Publicise and engage more on social media. And maybe think about gaining more followers.

The last one feels a bit forced since I’m honestly not in it for 1 million new followers. One more meaningful one would be enough.

Anyway, I’m going to go away and think about my new goals and I hope to start implementing them soon. Good luck if you’re doing the 201 as well.

Happy Monday all!