Are you struggling with your New Year's Resolultions? Perhaps Aimee Strongman can help you...

This year, a clear vision, a personal plan and a strong intention, will give you a tremendous sense of confidence and empowerment...

 

What's your new year's resolution?...

Oh, the pressure!

My sister-in-law posed this question to me over our New Year’s Eve dinner and I smiled, whilst silently berating myself for not having a better answer prepared. I haven't decided yet, I meekly responded but deep down I wanted to shout out...

UMMM...WHEN AM I SUPPOSED TO THINK ABOUT THE NEW YEAR AND MY PLANS WHEN I AM CONSTANTLY THINKING ABOUT THE HERE AND NOW AND EVERYONE ELSE?

And, that was my moment of clarity. If I can't give myself time to think about my goals and where I want to be, then something is amiss and I'm not being me. I'm someone who likes to have a vision, a reason and often a plan. That's who I am. I know things don't always go the way you want (something I am trying to teach my toddler) and circumstances change through no fault of your own and you have to be flexible and make changes but it's not an excuse to not have something to focus on. 

Last year I made myself a vision board after an old friend and yoga teacher suggested it to me and I was amazed by how much it worked for me. I enjoyed creating something tangible that I could bring out and look at. This year I thought - yes and I gave myself a morning, whilst my tot napped, got my scissors, glue stick and magazines out on the table and let my creativity flow. I picked out images that spoke to me, that linked to the things I wanted to change in my life and do differently this year and this was the result:

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I hope some of these resolutions resonate with you and you start this year with a spring in your step. Please feel free to get in touch @onemamaskingdom on Instagram I'd love to see yours!

MY INTENTIONS FOR 2019

GO GREEN - I brought my husband the book "No. More. Plastic" by Martin Dorey for Christmas and as a family we are really trying hard to cut back on our plastic usage.

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We are now shopping more at Cariad in Blandford where you can fill up your own containers with staples such as rice, cereal, pasta without using any plastic.

We are cutting down our meat intake from the supermarket but splashing out on quality cuts from the butchers and taking our own bags with us to take our shopping home and we have already purchased a Cheeky Wipes  starter kit so we never to have to use a wet wipe again.

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GET ORGANISED - I stumbled across this amazing series on Netflix this week called "Tidying with Marie Kondo" and it has been an absolute game changer. Her philosophy is to "Keep only those things that speak to the heart, and discard items that no longer spark joy. Thank them for their service – then let them go."

A while ago, a  friend had raved about her book 'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organising' and said how great it was but my goodness the woman is a dream. I watched the whole series in about 3 days and was lapping up her tips like a cat drinking cream. If you can, watch it. I truly believe it will help you kick start the year with a pre-spring spring clean and not only order your house but give you the space to take ownership of your space and keep on top of the tidying without the stress. Seriously, her process is magic and my goodness I feel so much better for it. It feels like a weight I never knew was there has been lifted and to walk into the kitchen is a dream each morning! Let's hope I can keep this up.

Here is the  trailer for you to watch.

BE YOU - For me this is so important. When I became a mother, I truly thought I might lose my identity and not be able to keep doing the things I love. That feeling in fact, was one of the catalysts that led me to start writing my blog. The art of writing made me see the importance of doing something that was solely for me, as Aimee not as Mama, or wife, or teacher but for me and only me. Over Christmas my mother shared with me a Japanese concept called Ikigai that translates as a 'reason for being'. A reason to enjoy life. One article I read suggested thinking about your perfect Saturday and what you would do if you could do whatever you wanted. This is being you and if you can harness these elements that bring you joy and filtrate them into your daily life you will reach Ikigai, a harmonious balance bringing happiness and purpose.

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Being me varies from month to month; sometimes it might just be a long hot bath with no interruptions, a trip to the supermarket with no company, a night at the movies or dinner with my girlfriends. I might choose to craft one day, make a pot on the wheel, write my blog or get my hair done. I might draw and colour a mandala, practice yoga, work on my blog or read.

This year I want to remember to take care of me as well as those I love.

What would you do on you perfect Saturday?

Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and year full of love and light.

Aimee x

To read more from Aimee, take a look at her blog, One Mama’s Kingdom here