New year, New challenges.

So; Christmas is over, the new year promises have been made and broken and February is a matter of days away. I now automatically write 2015 as the date, as I have a pretty good idea of what day is what again, instead of it all being blurred together in food and festive times.

This month has been hectic. For me, January is a blur of appointments, as I catch up with various specialists and see if and how my lovely collection of quirks and complications are behaving. Yet, this year I have attended them with a different attitude, a much more independent one. This year I shall do more than just live day to day and purely exist in a state of being. this year I will shine. I have taken time and with the help of some truly wonderful friends, I fixed my CV and began to work on a totally amazing and enticing LinkedIn profile. I want to work. I loved working, and I had to take an enforced break, which was good as it gave me time to devote to my health and to getting better, to getting stronger. Now though, I am ready for change. Internships are being hunted down, and I reckon I can now write a pretty sharp cover letter if I do say so myself. Somewhere out there is the perfect job and for some company, I am the ideal candidate.

I turn 30 this year. I'm also truly excited by this, as to me it is the next chapter of my life, and one I will embrace and fill with memories and achievements. I have a little list of what I want to achieve in the next ten months, and I will dedicate time to these, as they happen. But for now, hello 2015, my name is Sam and I am determined to shine.

Project October- 2014 style!

So; it's that time of year again when people quit smoking and/or drinking for a month. Both are worthy of acknowledgment, and if you are doing this then I salute you all. For me, it doesn't hold much weight and so I take this month to make some positive changes. October to me, is the start of my favourite time of year, autumn. I love autumn, the crisp smelling air, the cooler weather and the changes to nature. Don't get me wrong, it has downsides for me too! The SAD creeping in and my body sulking over lack of Vitamin D, the damp air settling in and causing my body merry Hell. So, last year I decided I wanted to find a way of coping with the changes I can't do anything about, by focusing on changes I can do myself and this year is no different.

 

Diabetes - The last year has been majorly stressful, which has lead to my diabetes being a little unpredictable. I am a good girl, and inject as I should, but I downloaded an app to my phone which allows me to track all changes and spot any triggers. It's all set up, and I think it might subconsciously help me make better choices and not slip so easil

Self Image and worth - At some point, I will get round to writing a post about my self image, my triggers and my body dysmorphia. Today is not the day, and this is not the post for that. Those who know me well, know my history with my body and the true levels of loathing I have with every aspect of myself. I want to focus on this again, as the mental impact I have from slight changes in a positive manner, are pretty large. So, I want to write a list of what I do like about myself and it will be my focus. For every negative thought, I will counteract it with a positive. It's gotta be worth a shot, right? When I feel I've achieved nothing, and time is running away, I can look at the list and find so,etching constructive to do with my time.

That age old battle. Weight loss- I've done pretty much every diet you can think, even stupid ones that potentially put me and my poor system at risk. I can diet til the world ends, but at the end of the day, I don't believe progress will happen unless it's something I commit to. Once again, it's small simple changes, and a healthier attitude towards food. It's not the enemy, it's a wonderful ally. I've decided to try something new each week, expand my skill set in the kitchen and broaden my taste horizons. 

Often the other side of the coin is exercise. I agree that exercise is needed, but I'm pretty limited with the shoulder healing from a major dislocation, the collapsing knee with no muscular support and the chronic nerve pains in my legs. Miracle, anyone? A walk a day is a must for me, but I'm hoping to introduce stretches no swimming to it during the month ahead.

Be Happy - Sounds simple, right? We all notice the bad stuff more than the good. So, it's time I hold onto what makes me happy and go for it.

There are one or two other things, but a girl has her secrets. Happy October!!