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Hello, and Happy 2016! I can't quite believe it is officially 2016 - 2015 where have you gone?! When I was writing this post I didn't actually realise 2016 is a leap year, until I saw a very helpful picture on weheartit while looking for some stock images for this post. So we get an extra day to make this year count, which is rather wonderful, don't you agree?
While I can't say I'm sorry to close the chapter of 2015, I will take with me all the lessons I have learnt into 2016. I feel this is going to be a good year for me, my goals and my life with Fella. 2015 kicked my backside, and challenged me constantly, but it also taught me that it is okay to fail at things, it is okay to take the time that you need to heal. It also taught me that even my tolerance has a breaking point, and to purge each and every single negative and poisonous aspect from my life, and move on with a brighter outlook. 
1. No more Snooze button. I am a multiple offender of hitting my snooze button in the morning, leaving myself very little time to get up and ready, to the point where I leave my home like a tornado, leaving a wreck in my wake. This leaves me feeling quite rushed, and definitely doesn't help with my anxiety. I moved our annoyingly loud alarm clock into the bathroom, which means I have to get out of bed and go into another room to turn it off. By that point, I've turned on the lights and the worst is over with. My phone alarm goes off about 5 minutes after this as an added deterrent to getting back into bed. Is this what being an adult feels like?
2. Have breakfast every morning. I used to be so good at ensuring I had a hearty meal at the start of my day, but somewhere along the line, as my wake up time became earlier and earlier this dropped off. I need to take better care of myself and ensure that I am setting myself up for the day in the correct way. Since being back to work I haven't missed a single breakfast, and I really do notice the difference in myself already. 
3. No electronic devices after 9pm. This is something I thought I would struggle with a lot more than I have done. I am a repeat offender for going to bed and being on my phone or tablet until the early hours of the morning. No wonder I was such a zombie. I've only broken this rule once so far, and although I am disappointed in myself I still have time to get on top of my game! 
4. Be in bed by 10:30pm on work nights. I have to be at work for 8am, and I have a long day, and have an impossibly awful train-line to grapple with before I even get to work, so it is essential that I get enough sleep. A minimum of 8 hours to be precise. Again, I haven't completely stuck to this as of yet, but when I have I feel better for it, 
5. Create content I am really proud of. I started doing this last year, and I would like it to continue into 2016, not just on this blog, but also in the form of a YouTube channel where I can focus on historical fiction in different ways, whether it be talking about a book, or a film adaptation.
6. Get a new header design that is more of a reflection of this space, and what I'm about. 
7. Enjoy our wedding planning. Our venue is booked, or date is set. I have found THE dress and my bridal party has been confirmed. All great positives that will ensure that I have the best year of wedding planning. 
8. Be thankful for the life I have. 

33. Hello December...

I can't quite believe that December is here!

It is usually one of my favourite months of the year, but it has just seemed a bit too early to start getting Festive (although I'm sure that it is nothing that a marathon session of Christmas films can't sort out!) so I thought I'd try and kick start the Festive buzz by writing about what I'm looking forward to this Yuletide season.

1. Seeing Christmas decorations and lights on my way into work - I get up for work very early, and have to catch a 6:46am train, so it is dark when I leave the flat, and dark when I'm coming home (what does sunlight look like again?) but what makes it bearable is the plethora of Christmas lights and decorations adorning the houses and streets. It doesn't matter how old I get, it will always feel completely magical!
2. Spending time with loved ones - For the first time ever in my working life I have from Christmas eve until 4th January off work! This excites me a ridiculous amount, and I can't wait to spend my time just enjoying the festivities. Whether it is friends or family, I intend to do a lot of catching up and present swapping over mulled wine this December.
3. Waiting for the first frost of Winter - I love frosty weather, specifically when I'm going for an early morning walk, or and looking out at it from the safety of my home. It's been unseasonably mild for December, and I'd like to know when Jack Frost is going to come and deliver the goods! 
4. Picking our tree, and decorating our home - We'll be going to select our Christmas tree this Saturday, and I really can't wait. I think having the tree will definitely make me feel more festive.  

5. Binge watching Christmas films - Once we've decorated the flat, we'll start watching Christmas films. It doesn't feel right to watch them unless you're surrounded by all of the paraphernalia of the season. My favourites include Home Alone, White Christmas, Love Actually, Miracle on 34th Street and Father Christmas based on the books by Raymond Briggs, which I watched every year growing up, and is still my all time favourite!  
6. Consuming copious amounts of Hot Chocolate - I don't need to elaborate on this one, just do it because YAAAAAASSSSS!
7. Christmas Eve - In many ways, Christmas Eve is my favourite day/night of the entire Christmas period. Christmas day always feels as though there is an undercurrent of stress. Has the turkey been over cooked? The cat's pulled down the tree again, and Great Aunt Mildred is one glass of sherry away from falling arse over tit into the fireplace again kind of situations. Boxing day is always the calm after the storm where you're tidying up whatever you couldn't manage on Christmas night, and returning to normality. But Christmas Eve is just so magical, and filled with excitement and joy, it is the best feeling, and I cannot wait to spend it with Fella and Louis, all snuggled up as we settle in to watch The Grinch in our Pajamas.
8. And most importantly, taking time to be in the moment, and allow myself to enjoy it - because that is what it is all about, isn't it?

x

What are you looking forward to this Christmas?