After looking back on my progress from last year, here are my 2015 New Year’s resolutions:

1: Run 10km/Get fit!

This is something I DEFINITELY must do this year after last year’s fail on the fitness front. It’d be nice to have better stamina, and generally feel better about myself.

2: Take more photos

I love photography. This year I plan to take more photos both with my digital and toy cameras. I just need to make sure I never leave the house without some form of camera now!

3: Knit/Sew/Make more

Fairly straight-forward. I love being creative, it makes me happy and provides a great sense of achievement. It’d be silly not to make more this year!

4: Stay positive/Practise mindfulness

I really improved on this throughout 2014. Here’s hoping that I can make 2015 the year I crack being the Queen of Positivity (or something like that!)

5: Replenish savings

I spent 4 months of 2014 unemployed and lived out of my savings. This year I’d like to replenish the stocks that got eaten into whilst I had my career crisis!

6: Less screen time!

This is something VERY needed. I find myself all too easily drawn into checking Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the rest when I’m bored. I need to start spending my time more productively, maybe by starting a social networking ban before/after a certain time each day?

7: Buy less!

I am the worst for impulse buying. Easily led by something sparkly or a book that has an exciting cover; I need to reign in the random purchasing. Towards the end of last year I kept a spending diary to try and monitor my spending whilst unemployed and the silly unnecessary purchases are what ate up my savings the most. This year I hope to put an end to that!

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

What resolutions have you made for 2015?

Last time I looked at my resolutions I hadn’t quite hit them all. This time the year’s come full circle. Here’s how I did with them:

1.  Run 10km! NOT DONE

Total fail on this one. 2015 needs to be the year I sort my fitness routine out.

2. Use toy cameras. DONE

I did use these more this year, and intend to continue doing so. There’s something exciting about not knowing what a photo will look like until it’s developed!

3.  Read more. DONE

I definitely reignited my love of reading this year. Something I plan on keeping up with!

4. Be more creative. DONE

I’ve loved knitting, sewing, painting and creating my way through 2o14 and even made the Christmas presents I’d planned on earlier this year!

5. Think positively. DONE

Definitely still a work in progress but my approach to life compared to a year ago is definitely a lot more positive!

6. Save money. DONE-ISH

This was great at the start of the year then slowed once I was out of work. The saving I did manage, though, came in as a handy reserve for the last 4 months of 2014 whilst I searched for a new job.

7. More time offline! NOT DONE

I’m still guilty of being an online time waster. I’m the ultimate procrastinator and can waste ages faffing with nonsense on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest. Whilst these aren’t bad sites to visit, I really do need to reduce the time I spend on them!

8. Declutter! DONE

My clothes collection got an overhaul, as did my possessions. I think I can safely say now that the only things I have in my house are things I really value. It was also a good exercise as it helped remind me of things I own that I’d forgotten about!

Did you make any resolutions in 2014? How did you do with them?

December is definitely up there as one of my favourite months. It’s no secret that I LOVE Christmas and all that it brings!

My highlights from this month (the last of 2014, how has it come around so quickly?)

1. Getting engaged!

This is potentially also the highlight of my year! I genuinely didn’t expect it,  but was ridiculously happy when Jonny got down on one knee on Christmas Eve. I think it’s fair to say I haven’t really stopped smiling since he asked. I’m VERY excited to start some serious wedding planning now!

2. CHRISTMAS!!

Obviously Christmas was a highlight of this month! Spending time with family and friends was fantastic with far too much food and drink consumed. It’s a running family joke that I have eyes bigger than my belly when it comes to Christmas dinner.

3. 10 Year university reunion.

At the start of the month a group of us got together to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of us all starting Lancaster University. It was a fun-filled weekend, which reminded me how lucky I am to have such wonderful friends, even after 10 years of knowing me!

4. Preparing for my new school

Going into school and meeting my future class was great fun. I’ve already got the measure of a couple of characters! I’m definitely prepared for the new school year now although I’m excited and terrified in equal measure about getting back into the classroom!