My New Years resolutions...

So we’re nearly two weeks into January and I’m only just getting around to publishing this post. Not because I haven’t wanted too, but instead it’s given me plenty of time to think. Think, because I’ve never actually given myself a new year’s resolution before…

I’ve always been of the impression that if you want to change or better yourself and your lifestyle then, why wait until the start of a new year to do it? If you really want to change something, then you will, there’s no doubt about that. So instead of throwing myself in at the deep end (and inevitably failing) I wanted to set myself goals – goals that I can aim towards throughout the year and look back on at the end of 2015. Goals that aren’t impossible but still make an impact. So here goes…

To keep on top of my anxiety

During 2014 I was diagnosed with having health-related anxiety. Not something I have had for long time but a mental health issue that I was made aware of the year before when I experienced my first panic attack. 

I’ve always been a bit of a worrier and dwell on things far longer than I should. However, worring about my health and panicking every time I felt an ounce of pain, niggle or notice a change in my body, had never been something that I thought would overcome me. In eight months I went from having the attitude of 'it's nothing, stop worrying' to 'I must be dying' or 'I must have some dreadful disease'. 

I was lucky enough to get help in tackling this head on and after doing a lot of my own research and CBT sessions, I understand my anxiety more than ever but I still have a long way to go. Which is why my goal for 2015 is really push my anxiety to its limits and be completely in control, which leads nice too...

To stress less

It's a well known fact, stress does not do anxiety any favours and throughout 2014 I have felt myself becoming more stressed than ever before and most of the things I stress about are so small. 2015 is all about not allowing things to build up and get to me, rising above life's challenges and seeing how small things are in comparison to real problems other people have in the world.

The best way to deal with stress is to tackle it head on - take a step back, three deep breaths and think about the situation. Be it work, home life or money issues, there's never a reason to worry or stress. 

To incorporate a healthier lifestyle

Now I wouldn't exactly say I'm super unhealthy, but I'm not the healthiest person around. Don't get me wrong, I attend the gym whenever I can, I go walking with the dog at least five times a week, but what really lets me down is what I eat. Fruit and vegetables are few and far between. 

With Andrew working away from home four nights a week, I have used the excuse of it being too difficult to cook super healthy meals for one, for far too long. So 2015 is all about incorporating more vegetables into my evening meals and snacking on healthier snacks like fruit and nuts during the day. Opting for the chocolate snacks was becoming too easy and not doing my waistline any good! Now I don't want to jump right in so I want to start off small, incorporating lentils as a good substitute to meat and adding easy vegetables to dinners. Overtime this will become second nature and snacking will hopefully become a thing of the past!

In order to incorporate a healthier lifestyle, that also means becoming a fitter person, which means training more and not making excuses! This goal is going to be tough but I know I can do it and I'm going to keep reminding myself that!

So there we go, that's my three goals. Easy goals that I can work towards and better myself. And with that, here's to a bloody good 2015! 

December favourites

December has been an odd month beauty wise. I've been so wrapped up with Christmas (no pun intended) that I've hardly found the time to try and test new products. Therefore this months favourites are a little on the slim side.

Clinique Makeup Brush Cleanser

Boring this product may be, but every beauty addict needs a brush cleanser in their life. I love how easy this product is to use - just spritz a little on your brush and wipe with kitchen roll to clean. 

I like to clean my everyday brushes at least once a week and then give them a deep, thorough clean with Johnsons Baby Shampoo once a month. Clinique's Makeup Brush Cleanser is great at acting as an interim cleaner but there's nothing more satisfying than thoroughly clean brushes.

bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss

I blogged about this product back in September and have been loving it ever since - a fantastic product that accompanied many winter looks throughout December. It's a fantastic lipgloss that stays put much longer than any other I have tried and the colour is just perfect too. You can read the full review here.

You can purchase Clinique Make Brush Cleanser (£13/200ml) from all Clinique in store counters and bareMinerals' Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss (£16) from most bareMinerals in store counters. 

Lastly, just a little update - in November I blogged about the Eau Thermale Avene Cleanance Gel Soapless Cleanser. Since using the cleanser I discovered that I was developing copious amounts of zits that were appearing all over my hairline, chin, forehead and neck. When one lot cleared up, another two, three, four would appear. I actually ended up heading to the doctors and being prescribed an acne lotion but this only acted as an interim solution until the next ones appeared. I stopped using the cleanser over Christmas and low and behold my 'acne' cleared up. As much as I loved the idea of the product, it really didn't agree with my skin type. So I am on the lookout for an alternative. If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.