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.

I'd love to know what craft hobby you're doing?
Glad the socialising has been cheaper! Throw any ideas back my way for that

Are you already a runner.or are you building up to a half marathon from scratch?

A lapsed runner I guess. I used to run 5K a few times a week, a long time ago!!! I was doing 5k once a week but I have been building it up recently and I'm now running 10k on my long runs.

@12things, I am doing cross stitch! I've done one for my friend and now doing one for myself which I'm going to make into a cushion. I've also made some small repairs to clothes as I'm not bad at handsewing.

Social ideas...I've been doing coffee and brunch at home or friends houses, bbqs at home, prosecco at home (you get the vibe!), also walks. Coffee out rather than lunch. Also lots of lunch deals around at the mo in Bella Italia etc for £9, Amazon cinema tickets, spa days on wowcher, picnics, mooch around the charity shops and coffee. Just trying to get alot more out of my money .

What a fabulous thread!

I used to be a fun party person, playing an instrument to a professional level and generally loving being myself. Looking back, I was more gorgeous than I ever thought I was. Life (in laws and me trying to conform), work and 4 kids made me lose my shizzle and I'm only just starting to get it back at the old age of 62.

I've joined a gym and stuck to it so much I actually love classes now.

Taken up my main instrument and joined a local orchestra - baby steps.

I've had my colours done this week.

I only work occasionally now so I've joined in local events more.

I go to plays/exhibitions at least monthly (arty type - love that stuff).

Next steps: house sorting, more holidays, spend less by meal plans etc.

Morning everyone, hope you’ve all had a good week. Had a bit of a strange week, just didn’t feel quite right. I’ve started running again and made it to the gym twice so I’m putting it down to the exercise actually doing something and making me feel tired.
Haven’t done a great deal in terms of decluttering, it’s just something I find easy to put off. I used to be so organised when I lived on my own but dealing with other people’s stuff and having less time makes it so much more difficult. Going to spend an hour today on something in the house!

How is everyone else doing?

Hi all. I've been to the gym 3 times but my knees are hurting this morning, due to the leg press I think. Lost 4lb but I went to my son's yesterday for curry. Weighed myself this morning and it has all gone back on. Have bit of a hangover so have cancelled Zumba that I had booked for today. I feel like I'm on a game on snakes and ladders. Booked holiday for next year when my son is visiting from Australia with his family (for all of us), then booked 2x tickets for events for next year so the "not spending" plan isn't going well - but I have a few things to look forward to for next year so that's good. I'll have to save money somewhere else.

I resonate with this. Watching for now. Thx.

@LittleTreesThriving at least that spending isn't frivolous! It will be worth every penny. I'm saving hard for my family to enjoy my 60th - it's going to be great 🥳😎
I hear you with the weight. I'm great through the week, weekend we go for meals and drinks and Monday it's back on.
But I'm needing medication now on which you can't really drink, so I know things will change and the weight will come off ( it did last year).

Well done on the gym, I want to get up to 3 times a week but won’t happen for a couple of weeks. That weight will probably drop off again, it’s probably mostly water weight from the alcohol and increased salt intake.

Not doing amazingly well at the moment annoyingly, but some progress. I really need to do exercise beyond walking - we are doing bits of not very exciting, but long needed, home improvements and our front room where I exercise is a storage zone - about to become a heap worse as ds is moving home from 3rd year uni

Love this thread! Reading now

Last week work was much better than it's been for ages but I have my review tomorrow so we'll so how that goes...(Secretly dreading it tbh)
My focus this week is going to be eating healthily, drinking water and if it's cooler doing week 4 of couch to 5 km (week 3 was about a month ago!)

@12things good luck for tomorrow (and there's no way you could have ran in the heat we've had) 🔥

I love this! Copying!

I've been a bit up and down with progress recently but I have just booked my new thing to do for august

• silent book club! Everyone comes to a bar and get a drink then reads their own book for an hour then you can chat together after. Bit random but I love reading and it was only £5 so I thought I'd give it a go.

I'm also feeling a real lack of friendships atm so things like this might be a good way of meeting new people.

That's a brilliant idea.
I often take my book to a pub and sit on my own for a bit.
I don't chat to others afterwards because that's not what I'm looking for, but it sounds great if that's something you want.

So, end of month 1, and I think I've done ok regarding my targets.

1. I've saved planned amount. I've got a budget for this month which is reasonable.
2. I've increased my walking and enjoyed it.
3. I've lost 2lbs. Not a great amount but on 🎯
4. I've not really decreased my wine intake ( I blame the 2 week holiday), but I'm soon on medication and this will happen then. Not bad for Month 1 💪

Well done! Great progress, especially the weight loss conswring you've been on holiday
What are you focusing on for August? More of the same?

@12things thank you.
Yes, my targets are the same - all 4 areas to concentrate on.
There's probably lots more I could strive for but I get easily overwhelmed and consequently give up.

Morning all, not sure how it’s the beginning of August already! How is everyone doing?

Just having a think about what I’ve changed so far. It’s mainly exercise, so have regularly been to the gym twice a week and joined a running club, which I’m enjoying.

For this next month I plan to increase my gym sessions to 3 times a week and also start park run with DD1. Going to try and get a career plan together as well. DH has said he thinks he’ll try and go for promotion in the next couple of years when DD2 starts secondary school. It’ll mean longer hours which is why he’s waiting until we’re past the school runs phase. It will also mean more money, he said he knows I’m not happy with work but if he’s earning more I could look at changing jobs even if it means I earn less.

Still haven’t started decluttering the house, I think because it’s not terrible it goes down the priority list. Also, I’m not really sure what to do with the rooms without fully redecorating. Will have a look on Pinterest for some ideas I think.

@OneYearLaterit looks like you've made great progress with exercise, I'm rubbish with exercise so that makes me doubly impressed!

Do you think you'll change careers completely or just change industries/role?

I'm fairly pleased with how July went,

• piano practice overall went well, I had a little break for a week or so but it just reminded me how much I enjoy it
• decluttering, I've definitely made a good start, got rid of at least 4 bin bags. But definitely still a way to go. I'm looking forward to my bookcase arriving this month which should prompt me to sort more stuff out
• Spanish - not done anything as I was not a fan of the new duolingo app UI but have found lessons that start in September
• stop coasting at work - well this has only really improved last week. But it reminded me how much more enjoyable work can be when you are busy and productive. So I feel like I've turned the corner with this one
• a new experience every month - I tried a sensory deprivation tank and really enjoyed it! If it was cheaper I would definitely do it more often. I found it incredibly relaxing and came out feeling very body positive (random!) and content.

This month I'm doing the silent book club. Then I've asked my partner if he fancies trying padel. Thought that would tick off a few goals - time with partner, exercise, new experience!

The rest i have done next to nothing
Focus this month is continuing with the above and adding drink more water and couch 2 5km.

@12things not really sure what I’ll do career wise, would like to do something that feels a bit more worthwhile. At the moment I just make rich people get richer.

You’ve made a great start with your list. I’m not sure why I’ve been ok with the exercise TBH. I started it first because I thought it would be the most difficult to keep up with. It’s still early days yet though!

Well, if I want to hit my targets at the end of August, like I did in July, I can't have another weekend like that 😣
Although it was a good one, too good.
I'm determined to get to 13st 10 for this month. I'm going on medication ( when gp writes the prescription), so that will help.
Hope you're all doing OK 💪