New Year's resolutions – so cliché I know, but will totally stick to them this year!

Christmas is almost here and already my I’ve caught myself making promises for the New Year. I’m not a big believer in New Year’s resolutions but I seem to have quite a lot I want to acheive in 2011 so some change is definitely in order. At the risk of looking like one big New Year’s cliché here is a list of my resolutions for 2011.
1. Spend more time with my family 
I have a big beautiful family somewhat scattered around the UK and the world. Yes, life is busy and I do live a fair few hours away from most of them but I will make a concerted effort to spend more time with my family in 2011. As whenever I catch up with my siblings, niece, cousins, grandparents, aunties or in-laws I always feel all the better for it, so it’s a no brainer to try and do it more often.

 2. Get fit
One of the most universal of New Year’s resolutions – get fit. Getting fit will give me the energy to do all the rest of the things on my list for 2011, juggle work as well as personal interests and family time. Also, when I’ve had tough times in the past, going to the gym and getting fit has helped me feel mentally strong and more able to deal with what life throws at me.
3. Study hard and blog as I go
I start my WSET Wine & Spirits Diploma in January and am determined to do a good job. Got loads of friends I met on my advanced course joining me, which is great. Looks like it’ll be a fun journey, no doubt with a return of our weekly post-wine school study session in the wine bar next door. I need to supplement my study with plenty of extra-curricular tastings and hopefully a couple of vineyard/distillery trips. My plan is to blog weekly about my progress and share a little knowledge with you all every week.

4. Save hard for my future
The plan is still to buy a house in Brighton in summer 2012, to make this happen, 2011 will have to be a year of being disciplined and concentrating on paying off debts and saving hard. But between work, gym and wine school I shouldn’t really have too much time left to spend any money, right?!?
5. Not neglect my amazing hubby
I have a very understanding, accommodating husband who is ridiculously supportive. My New Year’s resolution is to try and not take him for granted and make sure I leave some quality time aside for him too. Bit conscious of the fact towards the latter end of this year he’s mainly seen the grumpy, tired me and not enough of the fun, happy me. This will change!
So 2011 will be quite an important year for me, hopefully by this time next year, I’ll be fitter, healthier, wiser, happier and on the way to owning my first home with my hubby, a home which is big enough for us to host Christmas at our house in 2012!
Merry Christmas to you all, hope you all get what you wish for and work hard for in 2011!