Goodbye January, Hello February

Some title January as the hardest month of the year, cold, miserable weather, lack of money after the Christmas and New Year festivities and so on. Personally I've really enjoyed January, I haven't let the weather get to me because without rain trees and flowers don't grow and money, well I'm fortunate enough to get student finance at the beginning of January and mid January is my birthday so I was lucky to receive more money. With that though I haven't let money control me, in fact I've done a good job of paying some debts off, which is a huge weight off my shoulders. 

I turned 21 in January, which for the first time in a long time didn't bother me. Normally I get emotional over birthdays as I hate the thought of growing up and growing old. However this year I just accepted it and really enjoyed my birthday. I spent the actual day at school, which was followed with a meal with my close family in a country pub. It was a lovely day. 

I've realised this month that I really want to make this year about growth, me growing as a person, through learning more, reading more (not just autobiographies), learning to drive, new experiences and opportunities. I've started this by doing work experience at my old school, which is helping me gain confidence and also learning what it's like to be a teacher, as that is what I want to be in a few years time. 

I set out five goals this month, cut down on fizzy drinks, eat more fruit and veg, get work experience, keep up with readings and start running again. I think I have successfully achieved one of these- get work experience. I did pretty well at limiting myself to only one fizzy drink at the weekends however this last week I have had two or three. I guess I have been doing better at eating more fruit and veg, I had an apple the other day, does that count?! Annoyingly I haven't kept up with uni readings or started running again. I put that down to the fact that I've had a lingering gland infection, which as soon as I think has gone, the symptoms flare up again. Hopefully over the next couple of weeks it will go completely so I can actually have more productive days without feeling tired by lunch time. 

My goals for February are...
▷ Read- uni text books, magazines, blogs, books.... anything just read more.
▷ Complete essay- I have a sociology essay due mid February so I best get cracking and work hard on it, to hopefully get a good grade.         
▷ RUN!- Yes I said I would start running in January and I didn't so I'm gonna try in February.

Why don't you do something for the first time this month? It may turn into something great.
M.