ONE thing I don’t do anymore is come up with New Year resolutions. (This Instagram post explains why.)

But I am a dreamer and a bit of a planner, so when my lovely blogging friend Lucy over at Mrs H’s Favourite Things, tagged me in an ’18 For 2018′ post, I knew I’d be foolish not to take part.

18 For 2018 is an idea that’s come from Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project. Part bucket list and part goal setting, it has a focus on putting yourself first (something that I think we could all probably do with) and personally speaking, I find it rather inspiring. It’s taken me a while! – if you need an exercise at getting you focused for the year, this is a good ‘un! – but here is my final 18.

1. Visit Australia With The Kids

Ok, let’s start with the biggie first! I’ve been lucky enough to visit Australia once before with Jamie in our early twenties but this year we’re going back with Elsie and Leo! *Dances* We’ve actually already booked the flights (we did that just after Christmas!) but bar staying with some relatives for a while, we’ve yet to finalise where we will be going and staying so we’ve got all that to do soon.

It’s a massive trip for us as a family of four as let’s face it, it’s not every day you fly to the other side of the world, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t dreading the long flight with an 18 month old (!), but we’re all so excited. I’ll be sharing much more about our plans as we go through the year and of course our travels too, so if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to go ‘down under’ with young kids, then watch this space.

2. Get Leo’s Childcare Sorted

Unbelievably little Leo will turn one year old in a few weeks, and although I’ve had the absolute best twelve months with him, attempting to juggle my freelancing work and this blog with him around has now become incredibly tricky. Less naps means less time to work and the last thing I want to be doing is attempting to work while he’s awake, which means it’s time to sort out some childcare asap.

Truth be told, I don’t really want to be parted from him at all! I’m well aware he could well be our last baby and so I’m determined to enjoy my time with him as much as possible but then I also love my work too, so needs must.

3. Learn To Swim. Properly.

I never had swimming lessons as a child except an odd one with primary school, so because of that, rather ashamedly I can barely swim. At best, I can do a bit of a doggy paddle. It’s been on my ‘get sorted list’ for years, but a mixture of fear and general busy-ness has always got in the way, but this year it’s time.

4. Sort Out My Book Deal

Those of you who have followed me for a while, will know that I signed a book deal a while ago and have probably been wondering where on earth this book of mine is! Pregnancy and Leo’s arrival basically threw a big spanner in the works, but as we enter this new year, it’s at the top of my priority list to get sorted. Expect an update soon.

5. Learn How To Use My Camera. Properly.

I’m joining lovely Lucy in this one and am determined to get to grips with using my professional camera properly this year. (And ideally before we fly to the other side of the world!)  Jamie bought it for me as a gift eight years ago and I still haven’t got the faintest idea what to do with it. But I am making steps in the right direction. I’ve pinned loads of top tips and cheatsheets here on Pinterest recently and I reckon they’re a good a place as any to start.

6. Read More

Being a mum to two little ones and working for myself doesn’t leave much spare time for this kind of thing, but I’m gonna try and find a way as reading always makes me so happy.

7. Find My Style Again

As is often the way when you become a new mum, after having Leo I’ve definitely felt like I’ve lost my style somewhere along the way between early morning sickness and eleven months of breastfeeding! So this year I’m on a bit of a mission to get it back. In November I had ‘my colours done‘ which has been a total game changer and a great place to start so hopefully it’s now a case of onwards and upwards and being bolder with my choices.

8. Blog On A More Regular Basis

You guys have been amazing at sticking with me and my very sporadic schedule but you and this blog deserve more so I’m gonna do my best.

9. Get Outside More

To get more exercise. Fresh air. To enjoy being in nature. I spend far too much of my day being indoors.

10. Finish Our House

We’re nearly there. After five years of constant work, we’ve just the upstairs to get finished which includes a new bathroom and a bedroom makeover. Hopefully by Christmas we’ll all be done.

11. Keep Developing Spiritually

Last year was a big year for me personally and not just because I became a mum again. Something happened to me in 2017, which I guess you could say was something like a spiritual awakening. My priorities have shifted, my opinions have changed and for the first time I’ve become more concerned with my inner being than my outer shell. I’m hoping for much more of this, this year.

12. Vlog More

I’ve dabbled in the vlogsphere on and off for years! But whilst I do plenty of vlogs for work (I often blog for the Babycentre for example and love it!) I very rarely do them just for the fun of it anymore, and that’s something I’d like to change.

13. Exercise

It’s been years since I’ve done any form of exercise besides walking about from here to there and I miss it. I’m not bothered about weight loss or even toning up, I just want my body to be happier.

14. Renew Our Wedding Vows

This year we will celebrate ten years of marriage and so I’d love us to renew our vows, with our two beautiful kiddies present, in honour of that. (And I’m thinking a beach in Oz may just well be the perfect place to do it!?)

15. Social Media Breaks

Over Christmas I stayed off all forms of social media for about 3-4 days and it was utter bliss. I was actually really surprised at how much I enjoyed being offline so this year I’ll definitely be taking more social media breaks.

16. Experiment With Make Up

At 38, I’m in danger of becoming stuck in a rut with my make up, so this year is all about trying different things and looking to the Internet for inspiration.

17. Create A Vision Board

I’ve been reading a lot about the law of attraction recently and after being inspired by my friend Victoria at Apartment No. 4, I’m going to do something I’ve been thinking about for years and finally create a vision board.

18. Attend More Events

Particularly if they are nearby or oop North. Working for yourself can often be incredibly lonely so meeting up with fellow bloggers and freelancers more is something I’m really looking forward to this year.