fresh 2014

The end of the year for me signifies a number of things - usually the end of several weeks' indulgence involving a daily dose of vino, my birthday - not the highlight of my year and an annual round up of what I've achieved during the last 12 months. Most years I feel satisfied I have progressed and grown myself to some extent of my previous New Year's expectations, but there is always some panic that I have not 'grown up' enough or done as many of life's significances as I pressure myself to achieve.

The few days before Christmas and New Year's Eve I usually feel daunted by the blank canvas of the new year ahead and somewhere around the 29th or 30th December I hit a seasonal low. Fortunately I know that a day or two of contemplation (read mood swings) helps me find some goals and a direction or attitude for the coming year.

This year I read this post by Elise Blaha which really prompted me to choose one little word to inspire me in 2014.

My word for the coming year is fresh.

Of all words, this is actually very un-me. I like to be organised, plan my way out of surprises and create a set of routines around me - not characteristics that I associate with the word fresh.

However, heading into 2014 I feel I have no choice but to get out of my box and FRESH feels good. You see life is so different from last year with changes that would normally scare me, but fresh is a great feeling!

2013 ended for me with redundancy from my job due to office relocation overseas. I come from a very corporate background and being let loose in the world is rather a lot unnerving. But this year, most specially, we have our baby girl, little Daisie Anais.

Being a new mother brings surprises everyday and it's helping me loosen up on the structures I have such a penchant for. I spent the last part of 2013 getting to grips with 'mummy mayhem' and feel ready to take hold of life as a whole.

2014 will mean I need to take a fresh look at work and family life, my health and how I can build fitness into the 24 hour job of having a little one. The redundancy can only be put down as an experience and marked as an opportunity to find a working life that I enjoy alongside having a family.

I need to find a fresh way to become the best mother, partner, sister, daughter and friend I can be.

I am so lucky to be facing such an exciting time! Roll on 2014.