My Word For 2015

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The last day of the year, a time to reflect, take stock, make plans.  Something I have been doing for the past few days, especially as I have been thinking about choosing my word for 2015.  The new year will be one of changes and big birthdays, exciting times and new adventures.  With this in mind I have chosen EMBRACE as my word for 2015.

As I finish my degree in June and embark on my career in radiography, it will be a time of new beginnings, even more so if I start my career at a different hospital to my training hospital. Embracing this new beginning, my new career and the changes it will bring will make it all seem a little less daunting.  March will see the start of a new decade for me, as I turn 40.  Just another twelve weeks in my thirties seems a little scary, but I am also feeling ready for this new era.  I hope to embrace being 40, being a little more grown up, looking after me, my body and my mind.  My thirties found me finally feeling comfortable in my own skin. So now I want to continue with that but also to embrace the changes that will come in my forties.  Health and fitness have become more important to me and I want to make time for exercise, meditation and eating properly.

But 2015 isn't all about me, there are more big changes afoot.  Andy will turn 50 in the summer, another big birthday that has got him thinking too.  Being happy and healthy are always at the forefront of our plans and I know he will start his fifties as he means to go on, already planning some half marathons for the year.  Connor will turn 17 later in the year which means he can learn to drive and by this time next year he will have submitted his UCAS application.  Jack will take his GCSE's this summer and will start sixth form in September.  As a parent this all seems a little scary, but I want to embrace these changes that being a mother to teenagers involves.  As for my gorgeous daughters, Lucy chooses and starts her GCSE courses in 2015, Amber will become a teenager and Kitty will turn 9, the last year of single digits.  

So 2015 already holds a lot of promise and I want to embrace every moment.  Whatever else comes our way I know as a family unit we will stay strong, making the most of opportunities and enjoying life.

I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy new year and hope 2015 is full of promise for you too.

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

xo

My Word for 2014 is.....TIME

Well hello 2014!  I never make resolutions and this year have decided to join lots of lovely people in choosing a word for the year.  I have thought long and hard about this and read many other posts from fabulous blogging friends about their choices, including The Start Up Wife and also inspired by Susannah Conway.  I finally decided yesterday that my word for 2014 will be TIME.

I will make TIME -
           for exercise - I was doing so well until clinical placement and commuting got in the way!
           to write cards and letters to send to friends. Snailmail surprises!
           to study - I have several thousand words to write before the end of May!
           for my family - my children are growing so fast.  I also hope for more date days with Andy.
           for trips to the beach - my favourite place in the world.
           for writing - I've had ideas for a couple of books in my head for about three years, I want to start                                     making real plans for these this year.  I also plan to make sure I write here more!
          for being mindful - I am already trying the Headspace app to help me make sure I do this.

So what will your word be?

Until next time, take care.
Zoe
x


         

Farewell 2013

It's time to say farewell to another year. Writing this post kind of feels like writing the last paragraph of a chapter.  And what an interesting chapter it has been.  It started with snow and me questioning if I had made the right decision.  Could I really retrain, take a second degree, be something completely different to before? After alot of contemplation I realised I could do this, still be me and do something different.  So I worked hard and passed my first year.  I also started this blog to keep writing, to have a space where I could be me, dip into my old world.  Once a writer, always a writer!

After a fabulously warm summer spent at the beach and in the garden, treasuring family time I packed my pencil case and headed back for year two.  Now there was no turning back, I loved what I had chosen to do.  Everything was more in depth, less scary and I knew deep down this is what I wanted to do.  Andy and the children had now got used to me studying and commuting and not always being there, which also made the past four months alot easier.  Just as time is a healer it is also a huge factor in change.  The more time we have to get used to this big life change the easier it gets.

So now here we are, getting ready to drink champagne and say goodbye to 2013.  What will 2014 hold? Nobody knows but I am excited to see.

I want to wish you all a fabulous time tonight, whatever you are doing.  Close your chapter firmly and get ready to start a new page tomorrow.

Until next time, take care.
Zoe
x

The Lull Between Festivities

Well that's it Christmas is over for another year and what a wonderful time we had.  Full of good food, festive cheer and fizz and lots of fabulous presents unwrapped.  Now it's time to relax, rest and reflect. I love this time of year, the perfect time to stop, restore energy levels and plan for the year ahead.  Living an incredibly busy life means often things get overlooked, moments to myself are minimal and time to exercise can be hard to achieve.  But the promise of a new year means I can think about what I want to achieve and how I can do it.  

So I am off to drink tea, eat cake and reflect on the past year and consider what I hope to do and achieve in 2014.  How about you, are you ready for some reflection and planning? 

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

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