A year to change my life, anyone want to join me?

[OneYearLater]

I’m 3 years away from 50 and have had a mental list of things I’ve wanted to change for so long but never really got round to doing anything about them. I’ve read/watched so much self-help stuff but never seem to actually put any of it into practice. I’ve had enough of just bumbling along and doing not much so going to spend the next year putting in as much effort as I can to make things happen.
I’m posting here for accountability but also happy for anyone who wants to join me. I plan to update weekly, if anyone is interested. Below is my list of where I’d like to be in a year:

• Regular strength training, really noticed myself getting weaker as I get older
• Joining a running club and having completed a half marathon
• Fit in a pair of Levi’s that I bought over a decade ago
• Decluttering my house and making it feel more like home. It’s not in a terrible state but we’ve lived here nearly 5 years and done some work but it really needs some extra love and care.
• Start building more of a social circle. I WFH and haven’t put much effort into getting to know too many people where I live and have really felt that in the last few years.
• Find a way of making a second income
• I have 2 DDs and I’d like to find a hobby I can do with each of them
• Improve my relationship with DH, we’re still happy but life has got in the way the last few years and I miss the connection we used to have
• Stop wasting time on rubbish, mostly doom scrolling
• Get refocused at work and get better at my job
• Change my style, it would currently be described as middle aged frump!
• Deep down I’ve never really liked myself and the way I look. I want to at least not hate what I see in the mirror and accept myself for who I am

That’s the list, I’ve started by joining a gym I just need to make myself go. Not sure what’s next but will see what I can improve on each week.

Bumping, if anyone wants to join me

That sounds like a really good list. What sort of hobby do you think your children would like?

I like the hobby with a child idea.
I could have written a few things on your list! I might have tried...and failed...a few times...eg. decluttering. Posting for inspiration

Yes, I’ll join! I’d like to start now, make my plan of action. And then do six months, and another six months. And then, forever.

I’m 50 now, but perimenopause hit me at 47. I’ve made improvements to my diet, started cooking from scratch. I walk a fair bit.

Been decluttering for years… But I’ve held onto most of it, TBH. And it’s weighing me down. My house really could be so much nicer!

I’d like to start swimming. Lifting light weights 2 x per week, a bit of stretching & yoga. I’ve become so stiff, and swollen everywhere.

I’d also like to start wearing make-up again, style my lovely clothes instead of pulling out the nearest clean t-shirt. I also have those Levi’s!

I want to start journaling, organising my thoughts. Helping DS with his homework, with school stuff. Keep a proper calendar.

My marriage has been in a bad place for a long time. We need to get to a good place. Or get divorced. I need to sort out my finances…

This is exciting! I’m looking forward to improving my life. I’ve taken one step forwards, two steps back recently. I’m ready!

I do 2 of those in 1 actually (occasionally), volunteering locally with a dd. So we get to spend time together doing something we enjoy and getting to know others in the neighbourhood.

I’ve found stretchy Levi’s so all good here haha. Would love to join x 3 months from 50 so need to speed up!!!

Brilliant list. I’m in OP. Back tomorrow with more, but a lot of your list would be on mine. My kids are uni age and not here much but we do set aside an afternoon/evening once a month, lovely walk to our favourite pub for a leisurely lunch, home for board games, film and tech free evening.

Yes, I like this x great thread

Would love to join!

In a year, this will be me:-
~ lost 1.5 stone
~ have a weights routine
~ completed couch to 5K and be running 30 minutes, three times a week
~ have a daily stretching routine
~ eat a low UPF diet
~ have good iron and B12 levels
~ be able to crochet, embroider and understand / speak the basics of a foreign language
~ have a side hustle / second income
~ enjoy life (not just survival mode)
~ have a new car
~ understood my pension (!) and have made a plan
~ got on top of the house / garden shitty jobs
~ have a career plan of action
~ won the lottery and / or the Omaze house and retired

Too much?

I’m in too! I have a very similar list.

Almost all of the things on your list resonate. Will come back later to post mine!

I'm in! A year sounds managable. Will have a think about my list.

Not really sure, oldest DD is 12 and wants to start her own online shop so will help her with that and the parts she needs to be 18 for. Not sure about younger one who is 9 yet.

Don’t think that’s too much. This was my reasoning for changing things in a year. It’s enough time to do more than one thing and also not do everything at once.

I noticed you had 12 things on your list and so wondered if you wanted to start 1 each month and really commit to it. I started strength training 3 years ago now (it took a bit of a health scare) and used personal training to make me stick at it (too painful to waste the money and I knew I would turn up if I had an appointment) and now have some weights at home and use You Tube.

I'm in @OneYearLater
I'm 60 next year - I've got 12 months and a few days.
My goals are achievable but like @Pinkginwithice I'll be back with a comprehensive list.
We can do it 💪

I'm about to leave a safe job because it's made me very unhappy and I have an opportunity to take a risk and try something new. I'd also love to be better with money, get fitter ( I do do strength training however already).

Please count me in too! Some great lists here. Mine is quite similar - will try and post it tomorrow 😊

Some great ideas there and some great goals. However it sounds a lot to take on at once. I'd break each goal down into specific steps so you have a list of small but meaningful actions that you can make part of your life.

In my coaching I work with people to identify the key areas that are important in their lives (including fitness) and treat them like piggy banks where they try to bank at least one positive action in each area every week. Doesn't sound like much but enough to start building good habits.

If possible double up so one action supports multiple goals, e.g. find one thing you can do with each family member so you can reconnect and get fitter at the same time.

Atomic Habits is also a useful starting point, build the small steps you need to do into your life until they become habits. I find the gym is a pretty easy habit to keep as I go with my DD and we push each other when we'd rather not go.

I've got my list.
By June, 2027, I will have :

1. saved £500 a month to pay for my 60th birthday celebrations ( this is a realistic amount)
2. lost a minimum of 14lbs ( a pound a month) to 28lbs ( 2 pounds a month). Again, I need to be realistic and it needs to be achievable. No pressure.
3. continued to decrease my wine intake - I'm already doing this. I aim for 1 bottle a week and on a Saturday only ( I have support for this already)
4. increased my exercise by walking more. I do walk for 45 minutes daily but I know I can do more - eg, I can walk home from work at least twice a week 🎯

I'll check in monthly ( officially), but probably daily to encourage you all.

I love this idea! I’ll have a think about my list. I am on day 16 of a 30 day exercise challenge. I have been doing this with DH and it’s really nice to have a thing we do together that’s not kid stuff. Also good to have someone to keep you accountable especially on days like today!

Your goals sound reasonable and achievable, are you going to start them all at once or spread them out?

Forgot to add, I have an app called Opal which is great for reducing that doom scrolling. I have the culprit apps/websites blocked during certain times so it breaks that habit of just picking up the phone and scrolling.

What a nice idea!

I like this. I also like the idea of having 12 goals and focussing on one each month so by the end of the year you're doing all 12.
Mine would be :

1.- Start regular strength training

1. - Sort out my Will

3.- Start investing

1. - Drink lots of water every day

5- Draw something everyday 6- Read and write every day

1. Daily meditation
2. Call my mum weekly
3. Visit family monthly

10.Declutter my garage 11. Continue to develop my garden 12. Monthly 'reset day's to keep on top of things