Ahh the new year.

Such a unique time of the year.

For some, it’s an exciting time, new year, new me kind of attitude.

For others, it’s a time for reflection. What have you learned from the past year?

It can be a lonely time too for some people, either their family isn’t around, or if they are, they’re not close. It could be that they’ve spent the past year in a family break-up situation and with that it can bring a lot of loneliness and sadness.

The new year may not seem as exciting as it is for others. Just another day. For me, it’s a little of all of it.

This past year hasn’t been the best of years for me, it’s been a hard slog. To be honest, I’m glad to see the back side of it.

I’ve been through so many different breakthroughs this past year. With a lot of self-reflection and a lot of self-growth, I’ve learned a lot about myself and others. I’m learning who I want to be, and who I don’t.

I’ve learned that putting myself first isn’t selfish but if I want to be healthy and happy, I can’t put my focus on others. I’m learning that setting boundaries for myself isn’t selfish, nor is unacceptable.

While I learn what boundaries I need, I’m also learning to love myself again.

This year I want to achieve so much more. For myself and my family.

So we come to that New Year’s resolution part of the conversation.

Most of us have something we would like to achieve in the new year.

I remember when I was younger, I would set unrealistic goals. Just because it was the thing to do. I always knew I wouldn’t reach the goals I’d told everybody I’d set because they weren’t real goals of mine.

But with age, comes wisdom haha!

I understand now what it means to to have goals you want to achieve for the year, I understand what it takes and the meaning behind those goals.

This hasn’t been a recent revelation either, it’s been a long time in the making. But this is the first time I can share it with others. This year for me, will be a journey of continued self-growth. I have other, more personal goals I’d like to reach, and along the way, I will share it with you.

To start, I am going to start with sharing something small, I’ve seen this on social media and I’ve had a conversation about it at work with a co-worker. But I think it’s a cool way to reach a small goal. Visual aids can add to your commitment to continue with the goal.

For me, saving money can be hard. Especially when the bills continue to come in. This time though, I think, it will be a little more successful. That’s the hope anyway.

Most of our money comes in electronically, and our bills are paid the same way.

I found this a great idea because it involves cash. Not something we have a lot of access to so readily, but my theory is, that I won’t use any money I have saved in cash to pay a bill. This way, once it’s tucked away it’s out of sight, out of mind.

I’m going to use a money-saving wallet. Not only will it store my money safely, instead of tucked away in that sock draw, but it will also give me an idea, visually, of what I want to save, and how much I have saved, and I can write down any future money-saving goals.

So, there is one goal for myself this year.

Whatever your goals may be, whether big or small, I hope you smash them.

If you need encouragement, to get you over that line, Reach out, I’ll be your cheerleader.

Remember we aren’t here alone. We have so many people in our lives who want the best for us. And if you feel like you don’t have that, I’ll be there cheering you on.

Feel free to share one or two things this year you’d like to achieve, even if it’s just an idea at this stage, you never know who you might be inspiring.

Until next time,

Be kind to yourself.

A5 Money Saving Binder – Purple

Black, Pink, Blue.