September always feels like a great time for fresh starts and new ideas. Unlike January, which can feel a bit bleak, it’s a time for optimism. There’s a fresh feeling in the air – new shoes, sharpened pencils and the sense of things slowly getting back on track after the languid days of summer.
This time last year I wrote a post all about my Autumn resolutions. How much of those resolutions had been fulfilled, and how many had been forgotten?
Last year I was determined to be more organised and to have a tidier house. Funnily enough, I still feel the same. I did do quite well for most of the year, but my organisation did begin to slip a little over the summer. Our decluttering journey in the house has also followed a pattern of fits and starts. However, we’re definitely in a better place than we were a year ago. The boys now have their own bedrooms, we’ve repainted the kitchen and our playroom is now well on its way to becoming a cosy study. I’m not sure anyone can ever be as tidy or as organised as they’d like – for me it’ll always be a bit of a battle and I’m always going to aspire to be better at it.
I wanted to be more crafty. I haven’t knitted those Clangers I mentioned last year, but I have bought (and used) a sewing machine. I’ve also been carrying on with my jumble-coloured crochet. This autumn I’d like to experiment with felt flowers and knitted baby clothes.
To get a puppy. I’ve been close a few times, but this one hasn’t happened yet. Probably because, if I’m totally honest, the time still doesn’t feel right. We are, however, hopefully going to be adopting some cats. This is big news, which I’m sure I’ll be talking about more later. For now, I’m preparing myself for their arrival with a quiet sense of excitement and a bit of trepidation.
Growing and developing my blog. I have certainly fulfilled this ambition. My blog now feels more like a reflection of me, and I’m comfortable with my style. I worked hard for the first half of the year, worrying about rankings and readers. Since the launch of my shop, I’ve had less time to fret about this, and actually that’s ok. My goal is for my shop and blog to be a happy, inspiring online space – the two complimenting each other as much as possible.
Lose weight. I did lose a bit, but now I’m back to where I was before – a little heavier than I’d like and feeling quite unfit. I’m not brilliant at dieting, so exercise is key for me. I’ve done very little over the summer, so this autumn I’d like to get back on track. I’ll write more about this later, but I’d like to combine running, cycling and walking throughout the week. Not just to get slimmer, but also to make me feel more sane. On a vain note, as well as getting slimmer, I’d like to grow my hair. I’ve done the bob now, and it’s time for long hair again. So much easier when your hair naturally wants to resemble a haystack.
And where do I want to go from here? I want to continue my journey with my blog and my online shop. Things can’t miraculously grow overnight, but I’ll just keep chipping away. Most of my list remains uncannily the same. After all, a leopard doesn’t change it spots overnight, does it?
It basically boils down to: be inspired, be organised, be active.
What are your Autumn resolutions?
You blog has come along really well and well done on setting up your shop – achievements you should be proud of.
I am the same as you with the state of the house. It was great and then the summer came and routines and rules got ignored. Also, we have a dog now, which means hair everywhere no matter what I do.
Speaking of hair, it is interesting that you are moving back to long hair. I was thinking of a Bob but my hair is frizzy and much suited to styles I don’t have the patience to do properly.
Ah thank you, that’s kind of you. I’m happy to say my house is looking much better now!