This year’s love had better last…

I know what you are thinking, what’s that from – that lovely David Grey Song from the 90s but for me that lyric has been echoing in my mind recently. I know this year has been challenging, emotional, exhausting, crazy, liberating, inspiring but it has taught us to be thankful for what we have and our incredible community.

There is no doubt that this year has tested our resilience, our inner strength, our ability to be compassionate and our humanity. We are not invincible and for me despite the global pandemic, the home-schooling and staying home to protect others within all this craziness I have truly learnt the importance of being me, putting myself first and recognising how critical my wellbeing is not only for myself but for my children, my husband, my family, my friends and my clients. Every day, I make time for myself and this has been an essential part of my survival this year, I am always learning and striving to be a better version of myself – to give myself the same love and compassion that I always give to others. I appreciate and understand how tough it is to juggle life at times, but giving yourself that permission to just be who you are and do a little more of what you love – will see you truly shinning from within. We all need spark, we all need love, we all need to take care of our health and wellbeing. Those of you who know me well, know that I have been chipping away at my own health and wellbeing goals this year, it’s certainly been tested at times but the end result is that I am fitter, healthier and happier than I was at the start of the year.

I have fallen back in love with cooking, making all meals from scratch – I plan our meals, eat scrumptious fresh fruit and vegetables which we now have delivered every week. Seasonal wholesome, healthy and nutritious food – not only feeding my health but my soul too. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy a vino or two and that all important slice of cake but it is all about balance. I used to graze whilst prepping tea, finish the children’s tea as not to waste food and snack between meals and without realising it the pounds would just creep on. For me it has all been about retraining bad habits which have been a comfort, a reassurance and in some ways a form of love – our relationship with food is complicated, it means different things to different people and it takes time to step away from habits, patience, support and encouragement and boy my support tribe have really helped me so much this year. So, if you ever think, I just can’t remember that from within you can – there is always help, there is always support and you are never alone.

So, I am by no means a gym junky, but I do love being outdoors – this year I have been running, walking pretty much daily, I started swimming again and of course Joe Wicks has been my coach in the lounge for HiiT and abdominal workouts. Some weeks I do more, some I do less but the key is that I keep going, I love that post fitness buzz and no matter what your ability, your age, your weight – you can keep moving and that is the key for our health and wellbeing, the more static we become, the harder it becomes – so get that heart pumping and I promise you will feel incredible!

As this year draws to a close and we take time to be with our families this Christmas (albeit a little different), I want you all to take a moment to reflect and truly appreciate what you have around you, we are so incredibly lucky to live in such a beautiful world and it’s so important that we give thanks to those who have helped us this year. For me, I am thankful for my tribe – my incredible friends and family who inspire me, support me and no matter what challenges I face they are always there. I am thankful for the incredible community that I live in, the kindness and love from neighbours and how we pull together in times of need is truly humbling. I am thankful to the NHS, the teachers, the shop workers, the delivery companies, the postman, the bin collectors, Clive our fruit and veg man and every small business owner who has kept going, inspired others, offered support, guidance and help throughout this incredibly challenging year.

I am so proud and truly humbled by our country, the people, the compassion, the community is just phenomenal. As we embark on a new year, which no doubt will still have it’s challenges I want to focus on our goals – this year has been about my health and wellbeing and that will continue in 2021 but I have other goals too and I want to inspire you to focus on your goals for the year ahead. Goals don’t have to be big and for me I am focussing on the small things as in my world they matter the most…so here are a few of mine:

• Go for a walk by the sea every month – no matter what the weather

• Go out for dinner with my girl tribe

• Escape for a weekend away with my hubby

• Go to a live concert and feel the joy of the music

• Have a big family party (when time allows)

• Celebrate all the small achievements – be proud and encourage your loved ones

• Go on a camping holiday with my beautiful family

So, you see, for me it’s not about one bold goal – it is about the little things, it’s about gratitude and appreciating what is around us. You are the only person who is in control of your life, your decisions and actions – it has taken me a while to realise this (I know I can hear you laughing) but jokes aside, if we make time to put ourselves first then we will all blossom into the most stunning colourful rainbows. So, go on, put yourself first, shake off those bad habits and be who you truly want to be. If this year has taught us anything, it’s that life is too short, so go out there and let your colours truly shine.

B x