2018 has come and it has gone. I can’t say that i’m sad to say goodbye to the year but I am thankful for everything it taught me!

First of all, I want to say hello and welcome to my blog – whether you are new here or have come to visit my site before, I hope 2019 brings all the success and luck you deserve! I quickly want to say a personal thank you to my readers, those people that like, share, comment & read my blogs. I’m forever grateful for all the support you guys have shown me over the last year – I absolutely love writing these posts and seeing any kind of response from you guys just makes it all the more enjoyable! So thank YOU!

With starting university in 2018, I didn’t write as many posts as id have liked but when I got a chance – I loved it. Let’s have a look at some of my favourite posts from 2018!

Swimming my way through the ocean exhibit | Two Oceans Aquarium

This day has definitely got to be one of my favourites of the year, swimming with turtles & snorkeling around the edge of the ocean exhibit was the ultimate highlight for me!

Towards the end of the year I started getting a feel for what I wanted my blog to be about & how I wanted to present it to you guys – I think most of my favourite posts from 2018 definitely come from December.

5 Ways to an Environmentally Friendly Christmas | Gift Wrapping Ideas

This post has got to be my most loved of the year – It made me so happy to see people interested in wanting to find ways to be more eco friendly for our environment!

Lessons I’ve Learned in 12 Months | 2018 in Review

I’ve always enjoyed reflecting on the things i’ve gone through and learned at the end of the year. I felt that, although personal this post was one of the most insightful one’s I had written!

I really hope to only grow my blog this year and continue to inspire you all. I’m so excited to see where we can go from here!

For some reason, I have this habit of writing out my New Year resolutions. Whether it be in a journal or a blog post so this year, I thought a blog post was fitting. I find that if I’ve written it down somewhere, I can go back to it and I keep myself accountable for the things I want to achieve throughout the year but also in the hopes to spark some inspiration for those reading this.

Usually at the start if every year I have my plans and goals set out but this year is different, it just feels different. I have this new fire in my belly, this excitement and curiosity for what 2019 has in store for myself. I havent gone into the year putting the pressure on myself to achieve certain fitness goals and to eat clean for a certain amount of days and to be honest, I think that’s why I feel so good about this year.

Don’t get me wrong, I definitely have resolutions and goals to achieve but I feel comfortable with them. I don’t feel the pressures coming from different directions, it’s just me and my goals in my own time. I’ve been thinking about what I want my resolutions to be, for a few days now and I had the same thing pop into my head repeatedly – I want to improve who I was in 2018.

2018 was a huge learning curve for me, I grew a lot and I want to grow on that. I want to do better and be better, I want to be kinder to myself for myself. I know we can all get a little lost trying to see the bigger picture, including myself – I want to allow myself to enjoy the little things without worrying about the big things.

I like to think I am a pretty organised person and i’m sure a few family and friends would vouch for that, however sometimes my organisation gets lost amidst the chaos of university. I want to practice keeping things and areas clutter free to avoid a cluttered mind!

Health and fitness is and always will be a goal of mine, but it’s a consistent goal that i’m constantly working on – one I don’t think will ever be fully complete because there is always room for improvement. That’s why this year, although focusing on those aspects, there are other parts of my life that I was to focus more on. Self-care is a high priority for this year, we can all get carried away by life doing it’s thing, I know I do. Many times last year did it lead me to exhaustion and being burned out, getting i’ll a lot quicker then usual and having no energy for anything but to sleep. We all work best when we are feeling our best so here’s where I am at with this. I had this bad habit of studying for something ridiculous like 8 hours a time and if I wrote an exam every second or third day I would go into complete hibernation and not leave my apartment (how am I not a crazy lady yet? I’m not sure) so I’ve realised that this year I need to practice taking some more time off as well as some me time.

I have many goals for my blog, I want to post more often and inspire those during the most difficult times. Uni is my number one priority however, my blog literally keeps me sane so I want to work on balancing those two things without the added pressure of deadlines.

As selfish as you may think this sounds, 2019 is all about me and contentment, with that said I think it’s the year to make it all about you, too. Without shame, without guilt but with pure love and kindness for yourself. You deserve it just as much as I know I do.

So what about you? What are you doing in your life to make 2019 your best year yet? I’m looking forward to being one step closer to being fully content and if you’re there already, kudos to you, you’re an inspiration to us all!

Rolling over into the new year has got to be one of my favourite feelings. There is so much hope and opportunity for what’s to come, for what you can create. If things didn’t pan out the previous year, you get another chance to achieve whatever you want!

I don’t know about you but I’m definitely guilty for writing out a whole long list of New Year resolutions and not getting past the first one. When writing out a full list of goals and resolutions, it can seem quite daunting and overwhelming and could quite possibly be why most of them don’t see the light of day. That’s why I want to help you create measurable New Year Resolutions for yourself (and myself, let’s be real!) We all know the aim of these resolutions is to carry them out throughout the year and in turn, hopefully start a new healthier lifestyle for ourselves, here are four simple steps you can follow to guide you into the right path for the New Year!

It starts with you.

No goal will begin or end if you aren’t in it 110%. When creating your resolutions you have to be inspired about it, when you are motivated and excited to start doing something it’s going to be a lot easier to continue them instead of it feeling like a chore. You can take a goal that has been lingering at the back of your mind for months if not years and use that to your advantage – if it has been there and it’s something you still think about then it’s something you need to go and grab (sounds like something I say to myself when I see a cute bag at the shop) and use that motivation. It’ll manifest itself into greater things!

Make sure your goals are realistic and measurable.

This is something I live by, whenever I create goals for myself throughout the year I try my utmost best to make sure they are realistically achievable within my specific timeframe. The goals you want to create can be as big or as small as you want them to be, just make sure that they aren’t so overwhelming that you don’t want to try at all! (I’ve been there all too many times). I like to create a main goal for myself and then break it up into smaller segments, I find this helps not only to make things seem less cluttered but also helps me stay accountable to my goals.

Find an accountability partner, whatever the goal.

There are going to be many moments throughout that you are going to feel uninspired and unmotivated, as though you’re getting nowhere so you may as well quit – don’t worry, that’s normal! That’s why on days where you’re finding it difficult to get yourself out of the house, knowing that someone on the other side is also counting on you to help achieve their goals makes it a lot easier! Plus; once you’re there you’ll be thanking yourself for it. With that said, it’s important to be kind to yourself and remember that slow progress is still progress. Although it sometimes seems easy to lose sight of the bigger picture, every small step counts towards your goals and still makes a difference. Keep going, you got this! You’re capable of great things, believe it.

Start small.

Success doesn’t happen overnight and neither does progress. It’s something you have to work on every day, little by little. Easing yourself into achieving your goals, doing one small change every day and practicing those changes will make the whole process a lot easier and a lot more maintainable for the rest of the year. Eventually it’ll become second nature, just persevere and have patience!

I know this isn’t me telling you exactly how to achieve your goals and make them realistic but if you take your inspirations, follow these steps and trust yourself – I promise you, you’ll reap the rewards you just need to be mindful and also remember that it is a lot easier to write 10 goals down on a piece of paper than go out and make them happen. You’re only human, don’t set yourself up with disappointment, it’s not fair on you!

With that said, I hope that you all have had a Merry Christmas and that you have the best start to the New Year!

2018 has to be by far one of the most challenging yet rewarding years in my life. I’ve grown in so many ways, I’ve learned a lot and have definitely faced some hardships whilst enjoying the endeavours of university. With 2019 just a few days away, I wanted to look at my year in review and reflect on the lessons i’ve learned.

I’m going to be honest with you, if you told me in Grade 12 that i’d be in university studying Sports Science I probably would have laughed at you, but life is full of surprises and here I am, 21 years old and I have just finished my first academic year. I’ve learned a great deal of lessons and allowed myself to be open to new ideas and opinions, 16 year old Jeanna would be proud. I low key wish that my younger self knew the things I know now, isn’t that always the case? It’s also partly the reason i’m writing this – for those people who feel lost, unsure and hopeful but also to look back at the successes of this year before celebrating the new year. Here are 12 things I’ve learned in 12 months.

You’re never too old to follow your dreams.

There are countless articles on how people followed their dreams and became successful in the late stages of their life. I know there is this stigma surrounding what age its deemed unacceptable to go to university but honestly, its a load of bull. You live and you learn, I didn’t know Sport Science was even a thing until last year and that’s what made me apply. Yes, I was frightened because I wasn’t fresh out of school but honestly – as soon as you meet people and start gaining some real friends, no one even looks at your age and more often then not people are more likely to be older than younger. If you want to do it, DO IT!

Not everyone has the same heart as you.

This was a tough pill to swallow but a necessary one. This year showed me that if people wanted to make an effort, they would and that no response is a response. Sometimes people don’t have the same morals or respect for you as you do for them but the way you react to them shows your character more than theirs. I have been heavily disappointed by people I thought i’d be friends with forever but it’s important to remember that those who really care, won’t do that to you!

Everything happens for a reason.

As cliche as this sounds, it really is a way of life. I’m a firm believer in things happening exactly the way they are supposed to even when they didn’t go the way you wanted them too. It’s taken me a long time to teach myself not to get upset over situations I cannot control and to make the most of the turn of events. Once you learn how to enjoy every moment, to the fullest as difficult as it may be sometimes – you’ll live a happier, healthier and richer life (figuratively and literally, I hope)

Celebrate the small victories.

Too often I see people frowning for not getting a better mark than what they had expected or for feeling bad for the things they have achieved, it shouldn’t be like that. It’s important to celebrate the small victories, it those that lead you to the big ones. If you got that job promotion or got that distinction, own it. Don’t feel bad because you’re worried of making others upset, you deserve good things just as much as they do. With that said, learn to give yourself and others credit when it is due!

Everything you need to know is inside your head.

This may not be a lesson I’ve learned but it’s a quote that my sister told me right before I wrote a test that I was extremely nervous for. I have passed it onto every friend, acquaintance and animal. I never thought of it then, and although it may be specifically uni related but when you are nervous for a test or even a big job presentation – whatever it may be and i’m talking moments before when the studying is done and you are waiting in line to go and write/present – this is a very true sentiment to go by. This quote is very simple in it’s manner but the meaning it holds is great. When you have spent so much time and effort on studying for a specific test it’s easy to doubt yourself and make yourself believe that you could have studied more or started studying earlier but in all honesty, there is no use worrying about what you can’t change in that moment. You just have to remind yourself that everything you need to know is inside your head and that you got this!

There are bigger things in life.

This is something that i’ve always known but haven’t practiced all too often. Recently life has shown me how quickly things can turn, how fast something unpleasant can happen and how it’s not worth letting the small things get to you. As cliche as it is, cherish every moment as if it were the last. We all experience things in life differently and no one ever experiences the exact same pain but we need to learn that sometimes it’s not worth getting upset over someone not putting the dishes in the dishwasher or packing the milk away once it’s been used. Life is a beautiful thing and we are so lucky with the fact that we have the opportunity to spend it with those who we love, we gotta make it count! Every single passing second!

Everything is temporary.

There were many times throughout the year where I felt as though the whole universe and everyone inside it was against me, where everything seemed to be going wrong all at once and no one was there besides myself to put it all back together but sitting here, at my desk with a hot cuppa and my cuddle bug of a cat next to me, makes me thankful for those difficult times. It taught me how to be patient, how to be kind to myself and I realised how those feelings, that I thought were never going to go away were only temporary and better things did come from it. It’s important to persevere during those difficult times and have faith that something better is around the corner, because it is you just have to remember to push yourself to get there.

There is so much to be thankful for.

An important thing for me that has helped me get through a lot over the past few weeks is that there is strength in family. I am ever so grateful for my family, if it weren’t for each and every one of them I have no idea where I would be now. When they offer their advice even when I really don’t want to hear it, i’ve learned to listen and absorb what they’re saying and i’m so thankful for that. Life is really a wonderful thing and I have so much to be thankful for besides my family. My friends, my boyfriend that offer me so much support and love, a safe place to live and definitely my animals. I really am a lucky girl.

I am not indestructible.

As much as i’d like to make myself believe I am, i’m not and that’s okay. This is something I often struggle with, I give myself so much to do in a short space of time and when I can’t accomplish it all within a ridiculous amount of hours, I become disappointed with myself. This is something that i’ve started coming to terms with, that i’m not invincible and that I do need 8 hours of sleep and to look after myself frequently. Although it’s something i’ve already started working on, it’s definitely one of my new year resolutions.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and have a safe and Happy New year! x

First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR and hello to a fresh new beginning!!

If you are anything like me you will highly appreciate the fact that the first of Jan fell on a Monday, that pretty much means that there’s no room for error. Everything has to go smoothly and there is absolutely no chance that you can’t fall off the resolutions bandwagon, or so i thought… A few days into the new year and there I was struggling to stick to my list (that’s probably as long as 2017 was, but you know – one at a time) I just felt like, and hopefully I am not the only one that’s has been feeling like this but I have been feeling very uninspired and unmotivated. My brain is so excited to get going and reach my targets/goals but my body seems to be one step behind and struggling to catch up!

So what better time to write up some solutions on how to stick to your new year’s resolutions, right? Now, before we get into it – you must know that I am one of those people that has to practice what they preach and let me tell you, the more and more I practice these little things – I’m starting to feel the flames ignite again!

No.1. Don’t be so hard on yourself, take it at your own pace. 

You’re going to figure things out & everything will fall into place, it doesn’t all have to be done in one day. Now I’m not saying don’t push yourself but also remember we have been given the opportunity to have another 365 days to reach our goals and get to where we want to be, you don’t need to burn yourself out in the first week of Jan. You should be in no competition to rush. Take it as the pace that your body allows you to whether it be physically related or mentally. If you believe that you will make it there, you will. I have no doubt.

No.2. Find an activity you love outside those grey walls. 

This may sound a bit “ugh”but inspiration can often be lost between the concrete walls of your room or office space. Being inside 24/7 whether it be behind a desk or in the gym can begin to get boring and you may begin to feel constricted as to what you can and can’t do. More often than not finding something new you love to do can be a refreshing and new place to find inspiration from.

No.3. Read. Read books, personal development books – books that can inspire you.

You may be wondering how reading personal development books can inspire you enough to help you stick to your NY resolutions but if you find the right book, it will do more than just that! Yes, reading fictional books can often be more interesting and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, if you love reading those – keep reading them but add self development books to your pile. I promise you the best thing I ever did was pick up The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, it just changed my perspective on most things and made me want to work harder at the things I wanted to become better at. Sometimes it’s important to read something and understand it from someone else’s perspective.

No.4. Plan, plan plan.

When we have thoughts and ideas bouncing off our brain walls things may seem a bit overwhelming and foggy. You may struggle to find a place to start. What I have been doing (thoroughly if i might add) is planning. I’ve written all my ideas/goals/resolutions/future plans etc. onto pieces of paper and from there i’ve sorted them into their respective groups whether that be blog, uni or just life in general. If you plan things and put it in your diary there is more of a chance that it will get done and it won’t get lost in that busy brain.

No.5. Consistency.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, consistency is key! Let me put it like this, if you are making a fire & put a lot of logs on at once the fire will burn out quickly, but if you add the logs slowly and consistently throughout the night, your fire will burn for longer, it’s the same for us. Doing a little bit each day will get you further than big amounts every other day and it will prevent you from becoming overwhelmed.

I hope that these points have helped in one way or another and have helped put things into perspective. My main piece of advice would be to think about your goals and how much energy you truly want to put into them and go from there – you’re doing life for yourself, no one else. Make the most of it!

I have some great content coming this year, if you are keen to see what I have in store be sure to be following me on   >> Instagram << or like my >> Facebook page << I really hope to inspire and motivate you all.

May 2018 be YOUR year!

“You do not wake up and become the butterfly – growth is a process”

Lots of love, Jeanna x