As 2019 rolls around we are ready to reinvent ourselves. We say goodbye to the previous year and with it we shed our old skins, ready to be bigger and better than ever before. The goals you set don't need to be unattainable. Instead, keep them simple, whether it's starting a new business, or keeping things clean and tidy!
Focus on your progression and your family life and in twelve months time you'll be saying that '2019 was the best year yet.'
Here are ten goals to set yourself this year:
1. Learn to cook
The Abinger Cookery School, Guildford Road, Abinger Hammer, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6RZ
The new year tends to bring with it some fitness aspirations. We want to eat cleaner, be slimmer and fitter. But in order to make all of this happen, you need to make sure that your diet is just right. And I don't know about you, but when it comes to cooking healthily, I get a little lost. So, I've decided to attend some cooking courses to help! There are also some classes out there that help you create healthy food for your children that they can enjoy too.
I figure that cooking courses will mean that I get out of the house more, have more fun and also learn how to cook and create meals that will keep my body healthy. The Abinger Cookery School host a variety of courses that all sound amazing, from hearty-food to vegan food, they've got it sussed. Plus, they're located right in the heart of a picturesque village in the Surrey Hills and all classes are taught by a master chef, Jake Pinn.
2. Pick up a new language
Not only does learning a new language help you to live like a local when you go abroad, but it actually has so many more benefits for your brain. Learning a new language will help you make better decisions, improve your memory, increase your attention span and improve your ability to multitask.
And the University of Surrey is right on hand to help you pick up a language with ease. With a variety of evening classes, you'll be able to choose the language of your choice and fit it into your daily schedule with no problem. However, if you want to learn at your own pace there are many apps out there that can help you with this. Memrise is probably one of the best as it helps you learn words like a game. Download it here.
3. Be healthier
As soon as January hits, we all flock to the gym. But how many years have you done this for? And how many months do you usually stick to your new regime? In reality, all you need is motivation and how to maintain it on those days you just can't be bothered. You can do this by changing your attitude to working out. If you hate it, you probably hate the routines you've been doing. Fitness should be fun, so you need to find classes that not only work for you but excite you too.
One of our writers, Joanna Price earlier this year went and reviewed lots of classes around Surrey & SW London. She tried and tested all the alternative exercise classes out there that promise to make working out fun, read it here.
4. Say yes to more
I don't know about you, but I kind of let work takeover last year and let my social life take a little bit of backseat. When I was younger, I found myself saying 'yes' to a lot even if I was working the next day. Last year, I found myself barely agreeing to the cinema on a work night. But this year, I've realised that you don't just work to work, you work not only to grow but to be able to enjoy the things you want.
So, this year, why not make an active effort to say 'yes' to more? Believe it or not, there are LOTS of things going on in Surrey on a daily basis, and most of the time they're fun and alternative. It's through these activities that you find out so much more about yourself and find out things you like that you never thought you would. If you're after a list to get you started, read the bucket list of things to do in Surrey here.
5. Shop locally
Did you know that over half of Britain's high streets closed last year alone? Even the bigger high street names are struggling to stay open, so we can imagine what this must mean to small business owners. Surrey has such a sense of community and it would be such a shame to see them disappear. That's why this year, I'm closing the laptop, stepping away from online shopping and making sure to support my local high street.
To find out more about the campaign and how it's affecting Guildford High Street, you can read Jane Mcgowan's article here.
6. Get out more
Dan Hannington
If there's one thing I know, it's that we tend to close ourselves indoors a lot more than we actually realize. If you take out work, school drop-offs and trips to the shops, the time you spent outside might be very minimal. And I get it, sometimes after a long day, the only thing you want is your bed, let alone a stroll around Richmond Park. But, this year, why not try to make the effort to get out more? It does wonders for your mental clarity and generally makes you feel more uplifted.
Surrey is home to some of the most beautiful places in the country and there's plenty of things to go do and see. For the most magical walks in the county, check out our roundup here.
7. Be more adventurous
Go Ape Alice Holt, Bucks Horn Oak, Farnham GU10 4LS
As I'm getting older, I feel less and less adventurous. No longer am I saying 'yes' to everything and zip lining through forests. But that doesn't mean I should lose that sense of adventure totally. Especially with the kids, because I want them to be outdoors as much as possible.
We recommend Go Ape quite a lot because I think it's a great day out for the family with activities that please all ages. Plus, it's all outdoor and lets you be adventurous and wild in a safe space. There are nets in the trees, ziplining and even forest Segways - what more could you ask for?
8. Eat properly
It's one of the most famous resolutions ever. The new year brings with it goals to lose weight and look your best. So, if you've set this goal for yourself this year then make it happen. But you'll only be able to stick to this healthier way of living if you have all the facts. You need to know the right foods you need to be eating and the best ways to workout.
For example, you need to be eating a lot of high-protein foods in your diet, by doing this you'll be encouraging muscle repair and will feel more energised throughout the day. For the list of high-protein foods, you should be eating every day click here.
9. Do more of what you love
I have loved reading ever since I was young, there's nothing better than losing your nose in some new amazing book. But these days it seems really hard to even squeeze in a chapter - between work and kids, by the time my body hits the bed, reading is the last thing on my mind. But that doesn't mean I shouldn't make more of an effort or the time to do the things I love, and you shouldn't either. So, even in your busiest moments, remember self-care is important and so is connecting with yourself.
For a list of books to get you started, check out our ultimate winter reading list here.
10. Spend more time with the family
Isn't it crazy how fast time goes? Days quickly turn into years and all of sudden your babies aren't babies anymore. The thing is, life will always have its ups and downs and nothing will ever be perfect. But the one thing that makes everything better is your family. And as time goes by so quickly, it's important not to let that time fall away and have no memories with your loved ones to show for it.
We all know that life is short, and work will come and go. The important thing is each other - isn't that what life is about? So, try to make more of an effort this year to be with the ones you love. Here's a list of 105 things to do with the family, read it here.
