How to Get Your Resolutions Done Next Year

2017 is just around the corner and with every New Year comes a new set of resolutions. This post is all about putting your goals into action, because I think we can all agree that writing them out is the easy part. Getting them done is where the real challenge lies. Here are a couple of ways you can make next year the year of achievement! Here's to a great 2017! 

Review Them on a Regular Basis
Don't lose sight of what you want to achieve. If you keep refreshing yourself on your goals, you'll feel more connected and committed to them. Keep your resolutions where you know you'll be able to see them at least once a day. You could put your them on post it notes around your room or write them down at the front of a daily diary/journal. I would definitely suggest using pen and paper to record your resolutions rather than typing them out on a computer or phone as they're more likely to stick in your mind. 

Take it Slow And Steady
The great thing about New Years' resolutions is that you have a whole 365 days to complete them. You can't rush success so don't stress if you don't get the results you want straight away. Sometimes it helps to break the resolution down into several smaller goals. That way you can maintain that motivation by checking off your smaller goals while striving for the big resolution. Remember, slow progress is still progress so don't be too hard on yourself if you're still not where you want to be.

Stay Positive
Make sure you're in the right headspace when reviewing your goals because if you start looking at them in a negative way, they'll feel further and further out of your reach. If you're struggling to keep up with your resolutions, switch your mindset. Instead of focusing on the end goal, visualise your life after the resolution has been complete and what sort of benefits this accomplishment will bring. 

Reward Your Accomplishments
As you work towards your resolution, don't forget to treat yourself to a little gift or day out for all the little achievements you make along the way. Plan a nice reward for the end of the year just to recognise the goals you completed. And if you don't manage to tick everything off by the time December rolls around, that's okay! That fact that you were willing to make a change in the first place is definitely something to be proud of. 

What resolutions do you have for 2017?

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My Bucket List

Whenever I need to organise my thoughts, I turn to lists and since I've been thinking a lot about the things I want to one day experience, I decided to put together my very own Bucket List. I've never written this kind of list before which I'm really surprised about because I always like to plan ahead and often catch myself thinking about the future. Today I'm sharing with you the 10 things I want to do someday. Here they are!

- See the Himalayas

- Camp with friends 

- Go on a cruise 

- Eat sushi in Japan

- See the snow at Christmastime 

- Travel to Pig Beach in the Bahamas

- Watch a game show live with my Dad

- Adopt a kitten from the SPCA

- Fly first class with my Mum

- Watch a sunrise on a beach

That's everything on my Bucket List, what's on yours?

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6 Tips For a Lazy Day

If I've had a crazy week, I try my best to fit in some downtime post Friday. For me, a busy week is one thing and a productive week is another. Whenever I have a productive week, I almost always take some time off for myself afterwards because personally, I can't fault a lazy day that's been well-earned. If I think I deserve it, I'm much less likely to feel guilty about it. As much as I like to stay on top of all my chores and responsibilities, I need my "do nothing" days every once in a while and if I spend Mon-Fri ticking off to-do lists, I'll definitely be treating myself to a relaxing, commitment-free weekend at home. Today I wrote out 6 things that for me, a lazy day must always consist of. Here's the list!

1. A Sleep-in
Stay in bed until your heart's content! No one should have to start off their lazy day with an early morning wake up. If you don't manage a satisfying 10 hour sleep throughout the night, don't hesitate to take a few naps on the couch throughout the day.

2. Bubble Bath
Make a bubble bath that really showcases your favorite scents and smells. If you know you're going to have a "do nothing" day sometime soon, go to your local bath and body store to stock up on bath bombs, bath oils and bath salts. For me, nothing beats a bubble bath on a lazy day.  

3. Comfy Clothing
Stay in your pajamas or get into your coziest combination of clothes. Throw on some fluffy socks for extra comfort. Don't worry about looks, just put on what's most comfortable because that will really lay the foundation for your lazy day. 

4. Snack Foods
While you're lounging around the house, keep snacks close by. When you're feeling a bit peckish, snack foods are the most convenient and hassle-free option. You can also eat them straight from the pack so there's no dish washing required. 

5. Screen-time
Watch something on your TV or laptop. Try and keep some distance from your phone as the instant texts and notifications can be really distracting. Get comfy with a bunch of pillows and a warm blanket then put on your favorite movie or online web show. 

6. A Good Book
I find reading really therapeutic so I consider it the perfect activity for a lazy day. If you don't want to read throughout the day, take a book to bed and do a bit of reading before you go to sleep. It's a much better alternative to looking at a device.

So there you have it, my 6 tips for a lazy day. 
How do you like to spend a quiet day at home?

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Saying Sorry

I apologize A LOT and far too often for unnecessary things. Which means when I'm trying to give a heartfelt apology, it's harder to take me seriously. It's like the boy who cried wolf. If you do something over and over again without really meaning it, people can't always tell whether or not you're actually being sincere. I'm someone who just reacts with a "sorry". If somebody were to accidentally bump into me in passing, I'd apologize before I could even think the situation through. 

I've heard that apologizing too much can almost blur the line between something that is your fault and something that isn't. When I say "sorry", I'm accepting responsibility. But most of the time, I shouldn't really be taking the blame. Big errors are worthy of an apology, small matters aren't. There's a huge difference between apologising for something insignificant like not knowing the date and apologising for something on the other end of the spectrum, like hurting someone's feelings. I'm almost implying that all mistakes are the same and that really takes away from a serious apology. Before I sat down and really thought about how I was using the word "sorry", I considered my frequent apologies a good thing. A polite thing. But that's not true at all. Manners and words like "please" and "thank you" are polite. Throwing "sorry" around absentmindedly isn't. 

I've been trying to save my apologies for meaningful occasions only but I think there are times where a little slip up needs an apology too. It can be difficult to judge whether a situation needs an apology because there are always two sides to every story. You should think about how the other person may rate your mistake because sometimes what we consider harmless may be thought of differently by someone else. I always want to handle a situation in the right way and the last thing I want to do is come off dismissive.  

These are just my thoughts on the word "sorry" and what I've learnt about using the word. What do you think? Also, how do you approach apologies?

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How to Deal With Disappointment

When it comes to major let-downs, I tend to obsess over the situation for quite some time. In my head, I think of everything that could have happened differently like What if I had said this? or Would I be in this position if I had done that? When you put your utmost effort into something and it doesn't turn out the way you wanted it to, it's one of the hardest situations to bounce back from. If you're finding it hard to recover from a disappointment, hopefully this blog post helps in some way.

Express Yourself 
Remember that it's natural for you to feel the way you do. Don't try to bottle it all up because this can potentially lead to a greater outburst. It's best to isolate yourself while you come to terms with the situation so find a quiet room and let your emotion show. Sometimes it helps to see your feelings on paper so grab a journal and pen and throw every negative thought onto the page. If writing things down doesn't do you any good and you need the rebound of conversation, find a trusted family member or friend and sit down with them for a one-on-one discussion. 

Try Not to Take it Personally
Don't let setbacks knock your confidence or make you question your worth. If you apply for a job and aren't accepted, it's nothing against you as a person. They would have been looking for a very specific set of skills so don't blame yourself - or more specifically, your weaknesses - for the outcome. When something isn't meant to be, it simply isn't meant to be but just because this position wasn't quite right for you, doesn't mean there aren't any out there that are. The qualities you possess are valuable no matter what, it just depends on who is willing to support you in utilizing your strengths.  

Don't be Discouraged....
because when one door closes, another one opens. The chance of a lifetime could appear when you least expect it to so keep an open mind. When it comes to chasing your dreams, don't be fixated on the idea that there is only one way to get there. Things don't always turn out the way you want it to because that's the way life is. Totally unexpected. If you have your whole future mapped out, keep in mind that things won't always go accordingly. Plans change but don't let that notion stop you from achieving your goals! Things happen for a reason so if you've missed out on one opportunity, expect an even better one to be heading your way. Just keep your head held high and don't lose hope. 

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12 Days of Christmas Activities

Christmas is (without a doubt) my favorite holiday so with the day fast approaching I thought I would write a list of 12 things you can do to get into the holiday spirit. I hope that after reading this post, you'll be able to share my excitement towards Christmas and feel ready for the festive season. 

1. Decorate a Gingerbread House:

Invite two or three of your closest friends over to bake, assemble and decorate your gingerbread house. If you want it on display, set it on a nice tray and sprinkle with icing sugar to look like snow. 

2. Make DIY Tree Ornaments:

Find inspiration on Pinterest then gather your materials and get creating! You can use practically anything for a tree ornament and there are an abundance of images online to show for it.

3. Organize a Christmas Treasure Hunt:

Put together a basket of festive snacks for your end surprise then plan your hiding spots and place your clues.

4. Make your own Christmas Wrapping Paper:

Find some blank wrapping paper then customize it to the person you're giving the gift to with stickers, stamps, pens and paint. Complete your masterpiece with a pretty ribbon and gift tag.  

5. Have a Christmas Movie Marathon:

Save one evening for a relaxing night in. Put your favorite holiday film on and settle in front of the TV with a big bowl of popcorn and a mug of hot cocoa.

6. Make Christmas Cards:

Design the exterior of the card with a range of Christmas images then take your time writing personalized messages for each of your family members and friends.

7. Have a Christmas Picnic:

Arrange a family picnic with a holiday twist. For example, you could say all the food has to follow a red and green color scheme.

8. Do Some Gift Shopping:

Go around the city, keeping an eye out for anything you know a family member or friend will just love. I would suggest searching the online stores beforehand so you have some idea of what to buy where and what prices are involved. 

9. Make a Paper Snowflakes:

Grab a pair of scissors and some paper then find a tutorial you like online. If you have a bit of time on your hands, cut a dozen or so to make a wintry garland.

10. Do a Christmas Themed Random Act of Kindness:

Do some Christmas baking to deliver to your neighbors or donate it to your local food bank. There are many different ways you can give back to your community this Christmas and you'll find heaps of lists online for this kind of thing.  

11. Make a Christmas Playlist:

Spend an afternoon selecting songs to put on a Christmas playlist than get a group of friends together and dance around to your favorite holiday tunes. 

12. Look at Christmas Lights:

Hop in the car with your family and drive around the neighborhood to admire all the Christmas lights. If you're riding in the backseat, bring some blankets and pillows for that warm and cozy feel. 

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Blog Post Ideas With Prompts

So I decided there would be no better way to get my blog up and running, than with a first blog post all about blog posts! This post is not only dedicated to the new bloggers who - like me - are just starting out but also to the experienced bloggers who are just feeling a little uninspired today. Here are 20 lifestyle blog post ideas with prompts. Enjoy!

Your Essentials: What are 5 things you can't live without?

A Life Lesson: What is the best piece of advice someone has ever given you?

Your Travels: What has been your most memorable experience overseas?

Your Hobbies: What is something you really want to pick up/ learn how to do?

A Memory: What is something that you've learnt from your younger self?

Reviews: What are your most used products at the moment?

Your Goals: What are your tips for self-motivation?

Your Dreams: What do you see yourself doing in a few years' time?

Tutorials: What are some useful DIYs you can each your readers?

Resources: What are your most used phone apps at the moment? 

A To-do List: What's on your bucket list this year?

A Gift Guide: What is on your Christmas/ Birthday wish list?

Your Thoughts: What's on your mind at the moment?

Appreciations: What are you most thankful for in your life right now?

A Shopping Haul: What were your most recent sale purchases?

Your Daily Routine: What are your tips for waking up in the morning/ winding down at night?

Personal Life: What are 10 things you want your readers to know about you?

Your Fears: What is something you've done that was outside of your comfort zone?

Your Strengths: What has been your greatest achievement so far?

Blogging: What did you find most challenging about starting a blog?

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