New Year Resolutions for 2017

 

I find setting goals much easier than actually achieving them, because mostly I’m extremely lazy, and the idea of completing any ‘goal’ seems like a bit too much hard work if I’m honest. Every end of December I set myself these goals/resolutions for the following year which are either not reachable or just a phase (like last year I was going to take up pole dancing… huh?!). Anywho, this year I’ve decided to create some goals which are achievable, (if I try) and are beneficial for my future.

Get fit – Not skinnier, fitter!

I know in my Reflection on 2016 post I said I had found the perfect balance weight, which is true when talking about the number I read when I step on the scales. But this goal is aiming at not getting out of breath when climbing our stairs and actually being able to play ‘races’ with Brad’s 4-year-old cousin. I have already joined the gym ready for the start of January with my new gym buddy, and hopefully, we’ll push each other to get fitter… (hi if you’re reading!)

 

Find time for art/painting

No way am I talented with a paint brush but I just love the feeling I get at creating something on a blank sheet. In a way, it brings me back down to earth after floating around with my thoughts all day, and sometimes I actually create stuff I like, and that I’m proud of. Which of course is always a lovely feeling, I painted this for Brad’s 7-month-old cousin for a Christmas gift this year!

 

Save more money towards our deposit

I and Brad have been strictly and seriously saving for our house deposit since September/October of this year, and in such a short amount of time we’ve managed to save a nice chunk towards it. We are both excited for saving in 2017 as we will be getting closer and closer to our final figure, then we will be ready to do some serious house hunting. (eek!)

 

Be in more photos

You may think this one sounds odd, but because I’m the photographer of the family I never get in any photos. I’m always the one taking them, whether it’s on my camera or smartphone. I also print batches of photos of every couple of months or so, and the only ones which contain my face are silly selfies with Brad! I always hear this little voice in my head saying “Mummy why is there no photos of you?” Which honestly makes my heart weep.

 

Read more

I say this every year, and I’m going to keep saying it until I actually manage to reach this goal. Last year I said I would read 52 books, (a figure I knew was waaaay to high to start with) I think I only read around 8… Which I find totally embarrassing, for 2017 I’m going to set a number of 25 books, which means I need to finish one every two weeks. This seems do-able, right? I’ve already got a new book at the ready, ‘How To be Really Productive by Grace Marshall‘ which I think I may need if I’m going to get all these resolutions done…

 

Keep up with Out of Focus and reach 500 Bloglovin’ followers 

I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been off college for three weeks but I’ve recently really enjoyed writing blog posts, I’ve actually enjoyed it more than ever before! I hope to keep this spark alive in 2017 and carry on creating content I pleased with.

 

We’ll look back at these goals at the end of 2017, and see if I bothered to complete any (please send all motivation my way).

Do you have any New Year resolutions? Or think there’s an important one I missed out, then leave a comment below.

 

Enjoy your last day in 2016 – And I’ll see you in 2017!

 

FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER

 

 

21 Comments

    • December 31, 2016 / 3:54 pm

      Thank you for reading! <3 Wishing you a happy new year!

  1. December 31, 2016 / 4:53 pm

    These are some great resolutions. Wishing you all the best of luck in 2017!
    Fernie xx

    • December 31, 2016 / 6:13 pm

      Well thank you Fernie! Love your blog btw! <3

  2. Olivia McHale
    January 1, 2017 / 10:01 am

    These are some great resolutions – good luck with them! I definitely need to be in more photos this year too. I was trying to write up my 2016 post, and I couldn't find any good pictures of myself to use! You've inspired me!

    • January 1, 2017 / 12:01 pm

      Yes! The older I've become the more important I've found it to be in photographs. Maybe one day the internet will go bang… And all we will have left is printed photographs! Wishing you luck in the new year Olivia! xxx

  3. January 1, 2017 / 10:29 pm

    Really liked your resolutions! (Especially the detail of getting fit and not skinnier!). Having time for art is definitely something I should do as well, haha.
    I just found your blog and I think it's lovely! New follower here!

    Good luck with your resolutions and Happy New Year!!
    All the love, Selene | http://www.sincerelypukeena.blogspot.com

    • January 3, 2017 / 11:52 am

      As of yesterday I've started knitting – So I guess that's some kind of art form…? Well at least it's something. Hopefully I will have a big wooly blanket by the end of the year.
      Happy new year! xxx

  4. January 2, 2017 / 12:42 pm

    These are wonderful goals! I need to get fitter not skinnier too (or my boyfriend will tell me off!) I just stumbled across your blog today, whilst reading comments of another blog post – definitely will be following you and keeping up with your blog this year! 🙂 Happy New Year! x

    Victoria | VictoriaaHelenn

    • January 3, 2017 / 11:53 am

      Haha, my boyfriend also has been sending subtle hints about me joining a gym (obviously there trying to tell us something!). Thank you so much – Wishing you a lovely new year! x

  5. Foirell Kiri
    January 2, 2017 / 6:48 pm

    My aim is to read more too! I have so many goals tbh haha. Well done for reading 8 I probably read like half of one and just moved on to listening to podcasts haha

    • January 3, 2017 / 12:01 pm

      I keep finding myself spending hours listening/watching to Jenna Marbles/Juliens podcast. They talk about all kinds of topics each week and they are beyond hilarious!

  6. January 2, 2017 / 7:41 pm

    Keep blogging, cause you make people happy – I'm telling you. 🙂
    I wish you and Brad all the best. Love!

    • January 3, 2017 / 11:54 am

      Thank you Mary <3 Really hope you had a wonderful Christmas time and are enjoying the start to the new year. Love always x

  7. January 3, 2017 / 10:43 am

    I love your "be in more photos" one! That's such a lovely thought and so true – I always find I'm on the wrong side of the camera for fun events!

    Also, how are you finding the Productivity book?? I was looking at it in the shop the other day but wasn't sure if it would be worth the money! x

    Little Miss Katy | Lifestyle, Food + Travel

    • January 3, 2017 / 11:59 am

      Thats exactly what I mean! Since I am the one with the camera (and the only one who knows how to use one correctly in this family) I am always left out of family photos, even candid ones!

      I am currently around 20/25 pages in and I am actually enjoying it very much. It's one of those books you don't need to read beginning to end. You can go into segments to read upon which part you are interested in. So i've been jumping around it here and there. It really delves into productivity and I am really enjoying it. I do recommend!

      Caitlin x

  8. January 4, 2017 / 12:41 pm

    I want to get back to painting this year, I need to take some time off myself. I wish you the best for 2017 x

    Jessica — NinetyCo 

  9. January 5, 2017 / 10:19 am

    YES love all of these Caitlin! I am making a conscious effort to read more this year too. Do you have any book recs to start me off? Also, hella yes to being fitter and not skinnier. I want to do ma squats, lbt classes and evening runs but I am not going to deprive myself of delish food either. Immy x

    http://www.immymay.com

    • January 5, 2017 / 11:54 am

      Well I've just started reading the book photographed above and that so far is brilliant. Similar books to that which I've enjoyed are "f**k it- John Parkin" and "Happiness by Design – Paul Dolan". My favourite book (which I've read a total of 9 times) is "The Buddha, Geoff and Me – Edward Canfor-Dumas" an brilliantly told story which I love!
      Caitylis xx

  10. January 6, 2017 / 4:07 pm

    I completely hear you about not being in the photos, lovely. Those are some great goals/resolutions for 2017 & I am sure you will achieve them all 🙂 Have just come across your blog & yay, I love it here 😀
    xox Nadia
    http://www.mielandmint.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *