New Year, New You? An update

We’re almost eight months into the year and I bet you’re all wondering how I’ve been getting on with the New Year’s resolutions I set myself back in December in the New Year, New You blog post. 

I had 7 items on my list and here is an update on each of them so far.

1) Read 5 non-fiction books in 2016

I’m on chapter ten of Daniel Kahneman’s "Thinking, Fast and Slow". Yes, this is the same book I’ve been reading since last October and I worked my way through 7 chapters in the last four months. I have actually started reading another non-fiction book about Rome and over half way through. I'm happy with my progress on this one.

2) Keep walking at least 30 minutes a day and running twice a week

I’ve managed to keep up the walking only missing it when the weather was beyond miserable. I’m sorry to report that I gave up running during those couple of freezing cold months we had at the beginning of the year. 

However, it’s not all bad news as I got back on that running wagon when it got warmer and have been running at least two times a week. I found that I did lose the fitness I built up before so it’s hard but I’m doing it which is the most important thing.

3) Stop interrupting people mid-conversation

This is one is ongoing and I am getting so much better. I’ve reduced it to just making a face and small noises whilst waiting for people to finish.

4) Spend an hour learning coding once a week

I haven’t started yet.

5) Spend an hour a week learning to make sugar flowers 

I’ve done zilch about this one and my friends have moved their wedding date to next year. I now have more time to pick this one up.

6) Start meditating 5 – 10 minutes every day

This should have been an easy one. I did it a couple of times and then stopped. So I will try again and keep at it until it’s a habit. I might find it’s not for me but I want to give it a go.

7) Try to keep the house clean

Does frantically cleaning before visitors arrive count? If so, I’ve been doing that one. 

It’s not going as well as I’d hoped but here is what I’ve learnt from my experience:  

• It was ambitious to have such a long list and I should have picked about 3 things to change/do.

• Starting resolutions at the beginning of the year when it’s cold, dark and miserable is challenging, especially exercise related ones. Find a way to take your activity indoors or work out at home. 

• Just because I briefly gave up or didn’t get around to starting some of my resolutions, it didn’t mean that I was going to abandon them for good. If you really want to do something, you will find a way to do it no matter how many attempts it takes.

• Don’t feel bad if it's not going as well as you'd hoped. It’s not easy building a new behaviour or trying to change an existing one. It’s great to want to do it in the first place and just keep going!

Did you make any New Year’s resolutions and how are you getting on with them? Share your successes and challenges.

If one of your resolutions was to do more exercise read our 20 Benefits of Cycling post for inspiration.