Zoe's Musings

In 5 years time I'll be 24, which is the age my parents were when they were married. This fact is pretty scary when I stop to think about it, as by that point I could have the job of my dreams, I could be married, I could be anything. My whole life after education will have begun. That thought led me onto thinking about where I want to be and what I'd like to achieve before then, so I figured I would list some of them on my blog to get you all thinking about your goals!

I challenge you to come up with some goals you have that you'd like to achieve in the next 5 years.

Hello everyone, and happy new year! Looking back on my goals for 2015 provided an interesting insight on my plans for last year. Safe to say I didn't make time to do all of the things on my list, but I made a good attempt at working hard at university and at spending time doing things for myself, and I also got a job, which I think were the three most important things on the list.

I have a few things that I'd like to attempt to achieve this year, and here they are:

1 // Do an hour of revision every day (with NO distractions)
If I set aside at least an hour a day to do notes or revision or online tests or something like that then it'll be a lot easier come exam time to revise. It'll also mean I don't become behind in my notes like I have done a bit this semester. Also I need to turn off my internet & 3G and put my phone away and just work solidly for an hour, and not check my phone or twitter every 5 minutes!

2 // Drink 1L of water every single day
AT LEAST. I'm never properly hydrated and it's especially bad because my kidneys have had problems in the past so I need to make sure I'm adequately hydrated to flush out any toxins. Plus it's really good for your skin too!

3 // Start writing blog posts in advance
I've struggled a bit at some points to come up with interesting blog post ideas, so this year I'd like to take advantage of the times I'm full of creativity & ideas and just block out and plan and write posts when I have free time that I can use when I'm a bit stuck for time and ideas, especially for when I'm revising or taking exams.

4 // Save up some more money
I've done really well this year with saving, I've put aside a fair bit, but in 2016 I'd like to save up some more, maybe for a holiday or just to treat myself sometime.

5 // Participate in the 366 days challenge
I've been massively inspired by the gorgeous Danielle from Underland to Wonderland who has done the 365 days challenge for 2015, and I want to try and do something similar. I don't think I'll document it all on here, but maybe I'll share parts of it with you all.

6 // Make time every Sunday for an hour of reading
I put aside a few hours every Sunday to have a pamper night, so I run a bath and do a face mask and watch TV and relax, so I'd like to schedule in some reading time as part of my pamper session. I used to read all the time and I miss that relaxation time away from a computer screen or phone, so I'm going to make a big effort this year.

So, those are my goals for 2016, what are yours?

October went as quick as a flash, it definitely sped by. I unfortunately don't feel like I accomplished much in October, so I hope November is more productive!

For the last few months I've been telling you my hopes for each month, as I find setting goals for myself is a great way to motivate myself and keep me reaching my full potential. If you'd like to read my previous monthly goals you can do so here, here and here.

August has been a really challenging month for me. I've really had to do some soul searching and I've felt like I've gone backwards instead of forwards this month, so much so that I can't wait for a new month to see what September brings. It can only go up from here right?

I did okay with achieving last month's goals, as I managed to start working out again occasionally and I've also made my uni room pretty nice and cosy, but I'm not completely finished with it yet.

This month I've got a few things I'd like to achieve.

1. Work out once every 2 days all month

2. Completely cut out fast food

3. Read more

4. Go to sleep earlier

5. Eat more home cooked meals

August is a month where summer is in full swing (unless you live in the UK!), but for me August is when Autumn thoughts start creeping into my mind. I was partly looking forward to summer and partly dreading it, and while parts of summer have been lovely, I can't stop my mind wandering to the crisp air and crunchy leaves and the fresh start ahead of me in the Autumn.

I think in my case I look forward to the transition of seasons more than the season itself. I live for seeing the first blossoms on the trees and the first lambs being born in Spring, I look forward to the crisp air and the crunchy leaves of the Autumn, and of course I adore the transition from Autumn to Winter when the leaves have long since fallen and people begin to have that excited countdown to Christmas & New Years *and in my case to my birthday too!*

Anyway, here are my hopes for August! If you didn't see my last two Hopes For posts then they are here and here!

1. Make my new uni room really homely

4. Work out more!

5. Add to my skincare routine (and stick to it!)

Hello! Sorry it's been so long since I've blogged, I've been busy with uni and then christmas, but I'm back to talk to you about new years resolutions!

I never ever manage to fulfil my resolutions; I always give up after about a week.
But this year will be different. This year I will write my resolutions here and check back in a year to see how many I've achieved.

1. De-clutter my room. 

2. Reduce book collection

I have a fairly large book collection. Admittedly not as big as some, but it's big enough that it spills out of my bookshelf into piles of books in front of it. A lot of them are books from when I was a child that I keep for sentimental value (and so I can one day read them to my children), and some I've kept as I convince myself I'll get round to reading them one day. Sometime this year I'd like to donate some of the ones I've read & won't reread or that I'll never read.

3. Spend more time doing things for me

4. Work really hard at uni

5. Get a job

6. Get a summer internship