LET'S REFLECT ON 2016

New Year is almost upon us, which means its time to start thinking about New Years Resolutions. Considering our ambitions and goals for the shiny new year. Before I get ahead of myself, lets take a moment to reflect on 2016 and everything I've achieved and experienced. 

Well, what can I say ... 2016 has been an interesting and fulfilling year. As always there has been ups and downs but at the end of the day I made it through the year in one piece.

Moved house

After years and years of my family home being on the market it finally sold! My parents moved into the new place and my sister and I moved in with my auntie on a temporary basis until the new place is refurbished. Life with the auntie isn't too bad at all, she's so welcoming (not that she had a choice).

Alcohol free

For the past 7 months I've been alcohol free, I don't know why I decided to stop drinking, it was a sudden urge one day and now 212 days later I'm still sober. It's not like I had a issue with abusing alcohol, I was just ready for a change and it was either this or chocolate. Not drinking has changed a few social events, especially when others are getting merry. Although, I don't need alcohol to have a good time, I simply go home when people get overly drunk.

Dealt with an injury

Around August time I injured my handstring. I thought I had just overstretched my muscle slightly so I took a week off to recover. I went back into my fitness routine as I thought it had healed but I was very wrong ... It appears that I had torn my muscle in several places and this is what was causing my issues. This delayed my progress in all aspects of fitness as I had a shooting pain when I pushed myself, finally in November I sought out help and started the process to truly recover. I should be back to 100% by the New Year, then I can focus and regain the fitness levels I've lost over the last few months. This experience has taught me to always seek out help when I injury myself.

Travelled

This year, travel hasn't been my main priority as it was last year. I've been staying closer to home and saving some pennies. Although, that said, I did fly off to Edinburgh to meet my Aussie friends. We were there for 5 days together, fringe festive was on so we experienced loads of comedy nights, musicals and magic shows. After that I jetted off to Barcelona for a solo trip, 10 days in this beautiful place and it wasn't enough. I explored most tourist attractions and got lost in the city, I met loads of awesome people who I shared loads of laughs with. People say that travelling alone is lonely, although I've never felt so surrounded.

Pole Dancing
I love pole fitness, its been a huge part of my life for a few years now. I finally took the plunge and did a pole photoshoot this year, it was an amazing experience and I'm so proud of my photos! Another huge highlight for 2016 is I decided to become a pole fitness instructor, early next year I'm hoping to get certified so I can teach my own classes.

Photography
This year, I decided to develop my photography skills and really learn how to use my camera. I've been going out with a friend to get some awesome shots of wildlife and the city. It's been great to work on getting the right angles and lighting so I can produce the best possible quality photos. I've also been working on Photoshop and Lightroom to edit my photos which is surprisingly easy to use!

Acting
I filmed my first scene this year for my showreel and it was extremely nerve-racking but I got through it and love the finished product. I've also been working closely with a director and other actors to produce a series of comedy sketches, this was interesting as I never saw myself as a comedy actress. I'm not the fun loving, bubbly, dippy comedian, I tend to lean more towards the serious parts because that's what suits my personality. Until I learn more and develop my skills I'm quite happy going for roles within my type cast.

Career

I've been back at Equator Design for over a year now and have a much better idea of how my career is going. This year I was promoted to Production Account Manager so I must be doing right, aye?!

Chopped my hair
This year I took the plunge and chopped my hair above my shoulders, for some people this may not be a huge deal but it was a difficult decision as I've spent years trying to grow it. It was the best decision I made and I love it.

Call me Auntie Kim
My best friend had her 1st baby this year, little Thea. She's so adorable and I love to spoil and spend time with her, watching her develop and learn new things is amazing. I can't wait to do this for my own little niece or nephew next year. In July my older sister told us she is Pregnant and the little bundle of joy is due in March. It's very exciting because it's the first baby in my direct family. Unfortunately we don't know the sex of the baby as my sister wants it to be a surprise, which I find frustrating because I can't buy gender specific presents! 

What to expect of 2017?

I always find it difficult to predict what will happen, I find that the unexpected seems to make life interesting so I enjoy not knowing. That said, I've got a few things that I would like to continuing improving and developing. Watch out for my next post where I'll be talking about my ambitions and goals for the next coming months.

Sincerely, Kimberly.

xxx

2017 NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS

It's that time again ... with the new year approaching fast we will be making resolutions to either improve ourselves or work towards an ambition. Resolutions I hear every year are "I'm going to work out more, eat healthier, get organised, sort my life out, blah blah blah ...", most of these fail within a few weeks because many people over think. I know starting your resolutions can be overwhelming but when you set your mind to something you can achieve anything. Make sure your resolutions are achievable so you're not setting yourself up to fail.

Personally, I don't set New Years Resolutions as I tend to put too much stress on myself to achieve them quickly, then often give up within a few weeks. That said, over the past year I've been setting myself goals on a monthly basis. For those of you who do set New Years Resolutions but are struggling for ideas I've listed some suggestions below.

1. Exercise - Now this is a classic NYR but instead of joining the gym why not try a sport a try? I do pole dancing and next year will be starting gymnastics. Think outside the box to develop your fitness.

2. Plan a trip - I'm sure everyone has a dream place to visit.

3. Stop worrying so much.

4. Skip the juice cleanse and do a digital detox instead.

5. Speaking of juice cleanses, don't do one, just eat healthy and exercise to get into shape.

6. Do something you've never done before.

7. Stop repeating the same relationship mistakes. 

8. Take more "me time"

9.  Save some money.

10. Drink coffee at home or the office to save some pennies.

11. Get more sleep.

12. Cross one destination off you travel wishlist.

13. Set a professional goal and do what you can to achieve it.

14. Declutter your home and office space.

15. Stop procrastinating (full stop).

16. Organise you're email inbox, you'll feel so much better.

17. Start a passion project, you never know something could take off!

18. Take up a new hobby - Photography, blogging, rock climbing, baking or anything you've ever wanted to try!

19. Spend more time with friends and family.

20. Do some charity work.

21. Put down the TV remote and pick up a book.

22. Start a journal.

23. Try some new recipes, you never know you might discover your new favourite food.

24. Drink less alcohol.

25. Consider your health more, replace artificial foods with natural ones.

26. Walk more, don't always jump in your car to drive down the road to the local shop.

27. Get rid of toxic people from your life.

28. Learn to love your body.

29. Accept when you've achieved something and shout about it.

30. Do something that scares you, sky diving, meeting your partners parents, whatever you consider a challenge.

31. Take more photos to document your memories.

32. Take some time to write down a few things you're grateful for.

33. Drink more water.

Sincerely, Kimberly.

xxx

MY FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS MOVIES

Christmas is less than a week away and there's nothing that gets you in the holiday spirit more than watching festive films. I love curling up on the sofa with a Terry's chocolate orange and chain watching my favourites. Personally, I start watching Christmasy movies at the beginning of December but if you're a little behind I would suggest starting with the following films. 

1. Elf - I believe this is most people all time favourite!

2. The Grinch

3. Harry Potter - Of course! 

4. Call me Calus

5. Home Alone 1 & 2

6. Nightmare before Christmas

7. The Holiday

8. Santa Caluse 1,2 & 3

9. Christmas with the Kranks

10. Bad Santa

11. Four Christmases

12. Love actually

13. Miracle on 34th Street

14. Mickey's Christmas Carol

15. The Family Stone

16. Merry Matrimony

Sincerely, Kimberly.

xxx

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TIPS TO TACKLE BAD DAYS

No matter what you do, bad days are bound to happen. Even the happiest person will have one of those days where everything goes wrong, you feel upset for no reason, annoyed at yourself or others about nothing. I'm sure I'm not the only person who has felt like this, I still have the occasional day where I think it isn't worth getting out of bed. When bad days occur, you can either dwell in self pity or turn the day into something positive.

Everyone has different ways to think positively and tackle bad days, not everything will be helpful but I've listed a few suggestions that you can try to turn that frown upside down...

1. Don't stay indoor all day, go out and get some fresh air.

2. Pamper yourself by having a long hot bath, painting your nails, using a face mask or any kind of pampering you love.

3. Read something inspirational, whether that be a favourite book, quotes or blogs.

4. Don't be afraid to write your feelings down and get some frustration out.

5. Spend some time with a positive person, I have a friend who is so positive and she will always make you see the silver lining in any situation. Although she thinks that everything can be solved with healthy food...

6. Call up a friend and have a heart to heart, when something is wrong with me I speak to my best friend, she's always there to listen and cheer me up.

7. Retail therapy is always a winner, buy a nice new top or maybe a new phone case.

8. Switch off from the technology and have some "me" time.

9. Listen to positive and uplifting music.

10. Watch your favourite movie or chain watch a series on Netflix.

11. Do something creative like drawing, sewing, blogging, baking or one of your hobbies. Personally, I would read some scripts for acting or do some blogging.

12. Get out of bed, have a shower and get dressed. You'll feel so much better and refreshed.

13. Plan or do something fun, have you wanted to start a new project well now its time to start. Perhaps you were thinking about booking a getaway?

14. Do some exercise, fitness has been proven to release positive endorphins.

15. Eat something extra special, whether you want junk food or a sweet treat.

16. Have a pyjama day, if I ever do this I have a shower and get into a new pair of PJs, is this strange?

Do you have any tips for trackling bad days?

Sincerely, Kimberly.

xxx

CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS

I've been terrible for writing festive posts this year, life has been so busy for me recently. With Christmas fast approaching its time to get my head down and write the posts! Christmas has come around way too quickly and I'm not prepared in the slightest. I only officially started Christmas shopping last week and still need to buy a few pressies. Since everyone seems to have everything they want or need it was difficult to think of the perfect presents. In the end I thought about things I always enjoy receiving to generate some great gift ideas, hopefully everyone will love their Christmas presents this year!

Socks

Yes you read that right, socks! When I was younger I used to be a little disappointed when receiving socks but now it's one of the best things ever. They make great gifts, especially bed socks!

Pyjamas

Don't laugh when I say PJs, these are always a great gift, especially if you don't know what to get someone as Pyjamas are always needed all year round.

Fitness clothing

In my opinion sports clothing is one of the best gifts. Whether you go to the gym or do a specific sport, there is plenty of choice. I find that its always good to introduce some colour or patterns into sports clothing, look around the shops and find something a little different. I personally love Piba for my leggings, I brought some Iron Woman ones and use them for flexibility classes so I know first hand how durable they are as they can withstand splits! For people who don't "exercise", sports clothing can still be a good present, perhaps jogging bottoms or a new hoodie is exactly what is on their Christmas list.

Candles

I don't know about you but I think candles are a great present! They don't need to be expensive Yankee Candles (even though these are amazing), you can also find beautiful scents in supermarkets so have a little look around.

Personalised gifts

There are plenty of choices for gifts that can be personalised, whether its a present for adults or kids there are many options. For friends in the past I've purchased personalised mugs or Christmas Tree decorations that have always been well appreciated.

Experiences

Experiences can make amazing presents, have a little browse online and you'll be able to find an activity or day out to suit anyone. Whether it's driving a fancy car, enjoying a day drinking fine wines or taking part in a photoshoot.

Meal out

What do you get for a person who doesn't want nor need anything? Instead of buying something cute for the sake of it why not treat someone to a meal out. My friend and I are going to Zizi's for a meal as our Christmas present to each other, it's a great opportunity to go somewhere you wouldn't normally go so it makes it extra special.

Technology

Tech products are another great gift idea, whether its a new phone case or selfie stick there are so many options. I would personally recommend looking at Cath Kidston as they have some beautiful prints and it's great quality. 

Sincerely, Kimberly.

xxx