Last year, around about the time of my birthday, I wrote a list of all the things I wanted to do before the next one rolled around.

Looking back at last year's list, it now seems a bit frivolous, it was just a list of nice things to do. Which is all well and good but I feel that this list should of more consequence, after all you can achieve a lot in a year.

Over the next 12 months I want to make some changes, changes to shape the life I want to lead. And I see this list as my motivation to make them happen. Acknowledging your goals, writing them down, is a contract with yourself.

I like to stop and take stock once in a while. It's all too easy to spend time doing nothing, or things of no importance and that seems a waste. Whilst I want to be grateful for the life I lead (and I am), I want to make the most of it and find ways to improve it.

So I sat with a cup of tea and I asked myself 'what I would like to be different this time next year?' 

The answers that came to me aren't particularly exciting, they're simple little things that will make a difference to life in small but fundamental ways, and will get things moving that have been floundering for too long.

Create calm

Living in a tidy, orgainsed home feels very 'together' to me, the de-cluttering needs to continue, and homes found for things that still sit in the boxes we moved in with.

Improve my surroundings

We have done a lot of work on our home since we moved in and there is still more to do, but I feel there are a lot of little projects that have been ignored for too long.

I need to just get on with it. Putting a big fat tick next to something on my to-do list is a little victory all of it's own.

Feel stronger and healthier

Last year I hoped to be able to look forward to a 5k run by now, but I failed miserably at that. I love the idea of getting up to go to a park run but I'm not sure that will ever happen.

I'm constantly reminded of what an amazing thing the human body is, but it needs to be nourished and taken care of to get the best out of it.

Recently I attended an exercise class for the first time in years. It was Clubbercise, easy-to-follow routines done in a darkened room with disco lights and glow sticks. It was excellent fun! I'm not saying I've suddenly turned into a fitness fanatic, but it could be the start of a less sedentary lifestyle.

Eat healthier

I want to cook from scratch far more than I do now. First step is to find recipes to make our favourite staple dishes instead of cooking out of jars.

Make memories

Have experiences and adventures. A year goes by so quickly that if you don't plan these things, time passes and you can never get that time back.

If blogging everyday for 40 days is doing anything, it's reminding me that sometimes you just need to make the decision, and find the time to do something, in order to get it done.

Making these things a priority is the key to making a difference.

What would you like to be different a year from now?

(Day 12 of blogging everyday for 40 days)