But it's got me thinking (that and a drunken over enthusiastic conversation with Hayley on Christmas Eve) about the qualities I hope to have next year. I enthused that each night after work should be dedicated to something that will make our lives, our home, our health and our future a better thing. It's also about spending time with people and doing things. When I thought about it, and maybe this is cos I feel a bit ill, but when I thought about it, going out all night on Boxing Day didn't have that twinkly tinselly ravey appeal it used to when I was 21. As Ming put it yesterday: "you are old".
Anyway, I wrote a list, which sort of correlates with the evening plans I told Hayley about, and so, I present to you:
2014 is...
Being Fit
Finally, the benefits of being fit have convinced me against the benefits of drug abuse. Oh, wait... Ideally I want to go swimming, maybe for an hour every other night, as it's the only sport and exercise I think I can benefit from. There are other things too, like ballet work outs and whatever, you can get loads of exercise videos on YouTube. My arms and my chest are areas that I want to change.
Finally, the benefits of being fit have convinced me against the benefits of drug abuse. Oh, wait... Ideally I want to go swimming, maybe for an hour every other night, as it's the only sport and exercise I think I can benefit from. There are other things too, like ballet work outs and whatever, you can get loads of exercise videos on YouTube. My arms and my chest are areas that I want to change.
Being Healthy
After the poor health I experienced in 2013, there is no way I would ever jeopardise myself again. But I want to eat healthy and practice healthy habit from now on too. One night a week I want to cook a healthy and wholesome meal for everyone, and get more involved with my diet and food preparation, as I am more likely to eat healthier if I make it myself. And to eat MORE.
After the poor health I experienced in 2013, there is no way I would ever jeopardise myself again. But I want to eat healthy and practice healthy habit from now on too. One night a week I want to cook a healthy and wholesome meal for everyone, and get more involved with my diet and food preparation, as I am more likely to eat healthier if I make it myself. And to eat MORE.
Learning Self Defence
Too many times I've been attacked, intimidated and scared in the streets. And something to do outside of work, a skill, learning, is also a way to meet people. I am thinking of doing this pretty soon. One evening a week, or two, doing something aggressive like kick boxing. I don't want to do a martial art, though the discipline side does appeal. I don't have time to be gracious. I want to be ready.
Toughening Up Myself and Standing up for Myself
I don't want to ever be the push over I was in 2013. I might have a lot of confidence to build back up after everything, it might be hard. That's the whole point of this list. I never want to be used again.
Acting
To get confident, I want to take acting classes, or an acting workshop. I think being able to act, or talk to a whole stadium of people, or whatever, is a sign of pure confidence. If I can do that, then I have got my confidence.
Creativity
I don't ever want to waste my time again next year. Not that time was purposely wasted. I was recovering a lot of the time. But I want to have results from the production of my creative expression this time. That can be a night dedicated to photography, crafts, beauty, writing, films, dinner parties, fashion, art, music, reading... rather than just thinking about doing all those things.
Dedication to Work
At work, whatever it might be, I want to stay dedicated, focused and professional, keeping a friendly but distinct separation between my social life and my work life. I don't ever want to make the same mistakes I made at Lush.
Family
I want to make time for certain family members so I can help them, see them and appreciate them face to face. I want to write more to my granny and I want to spend weekends with other family members, not getting too wrapped up with myself.
Redemption, and 'starting over'
I want to love myself in a way that is forgiveness and practice redemption. I want to redeem myself by accepting that I have made mistakes, and that I am sorry, and that I am rational in thinking that hey, we all make mistakes and I am only human and that I really am starting over with myself.
Modesty
The idea that physical looks, superficial accomplishments and self indulgent charity aren't reasons to be proud and that being proud isn't something that is important. Modesty is an attractive trait that I do have, if I just think about it.
I don't ever want to waste my time again next year. Not that time was purposely wasted. I was recovering a lot of the time. But I want to have results from the production of my creative expression this time. That can be a night dedicated to photography, crafts, beauty, writing, films, dinner parties, fashion, art, music, reading... rather than just thinking about doing all those things.
Dedication to Work
At work, whatever it might be, I want to stay dedicated, focused and professional, keeping a friendly but distinct separation between my social life and my work life. I don't ever want to make the same mistakes I made at Lush.
Family
I want to make time for certain family members so I can help them, see them and appreciate them face to face. I want to write more to my granny and I want to spend weekends with other family members, not getting too wrapped up with myself.
Redemption, and 'starting over'
I want to love myself in a way that is forgiveness and practice redemption. I want to redeem myself by accepting that I have made mistakes, and that I am sorry, and that I am rational in thinking that hey, we all make mistakes and I am only human and that I really am starting over with myself.
Modesty
The idea that physical looks, superficial accomplishments and self indulgent charity aren't reasons to be proud and that being proud isn't something that is important. Modesty is an attractive trait that I do have, if I just think about it.
I want to learn French, so I have started to learn basic bits, but by next year, I want to be taking proper lessons, and for my 30th, I'd like to go to Paris. I said to Hayley that a lot of the reason why I want to do things like this is because I think it's appealing and a turn on when someone has a skill, or when someone can learn a language, and as a single man, I want to be as appealing as possible, because there is no way I am entering my 30's feeling like the loser I did this year.