Like so many others, I tend to start the year full of good intentions and excitement for what lies ahead, only to have the long, cold, miserable months of January and February sap all my motivation and positivity.
This year, I set a few goals on New Year's Day. Some were kind of vague, some more specific and all seemed manageable. Ten weeks on, I thought it was time to look back and see how I've done so far...
Fail. Kind of. I have definitely eaten a lot more vegan meals this year but I haven't stuck to two completely vegan days every single week. On the whole, though, a large proportion of my food and drink has been vegan so I think I've done OK.
Learn a language
Yes! I am currently learning Italian and (I think) it's going rather well so far. I can count, I can order a meal, I can introduce myself...that's enough to see me through a few days next time I'm in Italy, yes? I'm loving learning a language again and Italian feels much more natural to me than Spanish did when I started learning that a few years ago. Maybe it's the language's similarities with French, the fact that I well and truly left my heart in Rome or just that I am much more into Italian culture (and food).
Make more time for friends
Yes! It's so hard getting everyone together but I've definitely made more of an effort so far this year by being more flexible and shifting my schedule around to enable me to see friends more. I've also got a couple of roadtrips lined up to make sure I don't leave out those friends who are further afield.
Try a new recipe every week
Kind of. I haven't consciously tried a new recipe every single week but looking back, I reckon I've just about tried 10 new recipes this year. So I'm saying "yes". I've made fresh pasta, a first for me, stepped out of my lasagne rut, made chocolate souffle for the first time and had a few cooking experiments turn out very well.
Get back to nature
Fail. I've definitely spent a lot more time outdoors so far this year as I'm now working from home again. Most of this has been spent on the Wirral coast, though, and what I really wanted to do was get out to North Wales and the Lakes, climb mountains, stumble over scree piles and wade through muddy streams (I know, I don't seem the type, but I really am). In my defence, it's been bloody cold and snowy so far this year and I don't think my boyfriend would take too kindly to being dragged up Mount Snowdon in heavy blizzards so this goal will have to wait for slightly warmer weather. I really don't want to be one of those people who has to be airlifted to safety by Mountain Rescue, the shame.
I'll stick to the beaches for a few more weeks, I think.
Yes! It is definitely true that you get out what you put in, especially in the world of freelance writing. I've been amazed by the volume of work out there and am plodding along, building up a nice little portfolio of writing while gaining experience in different topics and kinds of content.
Complete all my un-finished projects...
Meh. I've completed some, but started about 20 more. That's OK, though. This goal was more wishful thinking than anything else and the fact that I finally finished my little bluefinch embroidery after many, many months is good enough for me.
On balance, I think I'm quite pleased with my progress and it's come as a pleasant surprise to realise I am well on the way to accomplishing several of my goals for 2013!
Jenny
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