"She needs to sort out her priorities!"

We all know that famous line from the first Harry Potter movie (back when they were all baby-faced with no idea about just how famous they were going to become). I'm sure we've probably all said it before too, whether in jest or in all seriousness. But we are all blind to the fact that sometimes our own priorities are not sorted out. Whether that be due to our unwillingness to see, the fact that we know but don't care or simply because having your priorities in order might not give you the most fun. I think it's important to reevaluate our choices every now and then; it can be how we spend our money and time, whether we are being selfish (how much will it cost us to enrich the lives of others - if it is something as simple as letting your roommate have first shower or letting someone else take the last seat on the bus. 

I know my priorities are definitely not in order. I should stop spending money on food and shoes and baking tools and save to go overseas (if I wont to go overseas so badly why is it so hard to not hand over the card - someone send help!). If I know I have an essay due why do I keep clicking the next episode button (same goes for having an early start)? I know I want an awesome summer bod but can't seem to stay away from the chocolate (but am managing to go to the gym now). 

I spend too much time sacrificing my future for instant gratification (because with our smart phones and the internet and new technologies that's what we're all about in this day and age isn't it?). Usually the long term benefit of not doing something far outweigh the short term benefits of doing it. 

So I am resolved to start living for the future. I'm not saying I'm happy living miserably now so I have a chance at being very happy later, I just want to start setting myself up to win. If a beautiful pair of shoes goes on sale I might buy them (granted there are a million outfits I can wear them with and they'll last me years and they're at least 50% off). I'll still buy a cheeky coffee and cake every now and then and I simply can't make any promises that I won't watch all of my TV shows (in fact I can guarantee that I'll still watch them) but I am going to make a hell of an effort to better my chances of a great future and I have a few ideas of how to do that. 

1) Put pictures of Canada and the friends I want to see and things I want to do there in three places:

    a - next to my computer to help kick my internet shopping habits

    b - in my wallet to stop me spending when I'm out and about

    c - literally everywhere so I'm constantly reminded of where it is I want to go

Using last years psychology I think this is a form of positive encouragement.... But please don't quote me on that!

2) Another photo one... Putting pictures of people working in McDonalds or the factory where I worked over the summer or other unhappy jobs everywhere (desk, room, uni bag) to encourage me to work hard on my university work. (Negative encouragement in case you were wondering).

3) Set myself monetary goals and find a suitable reward for reaching them (maybe I can kill two birds with one stone and make my reward watching my shows or a movie)

Unfortunately I know things cost and on top of having to pay rent and power and food and all the other necessities sometimes you've just gotta have a little bit of fun which can cost too. Like I said; I'm not going to be miserable and rich but I do want to be able to have fun in Canada once I get there. All I gotta do now is get the right balance of living in the now, for the future!

xx

Resolution fails!

A little over a month ago I set out my resolutions for 2014 and so far i'm pretty sure I've failed in nearly all of them:

I haven't spent less, not even slightly as can be seen by my ever reducing bank account balance.

My room is not tidy. It rarely has been. I might tidy tonight but I'm not promising anything.

I left my guitar at my family home so learning anything on it is definitely not going to happen.

I have made only one blog post since then. To be fair I have three written out on refill (written between classes) and I just need to get around to typing them. I will definitely do that soon!!!

And i'm not sure if I've achieved the new thing. I mean, I've started flatting for the first time, used an electric cooker (I've been brought up with the luxury of a gas cooker). I've sorted out internet and dealt with various companies and made lots of grown up purchases (cue iron and pots and pans and a printer). We've done proper grocery shops and managed to eat real food most nights. I also made a banana cake for the first time. Whilst these may not seem like particularly big things they certainly were all new. Muddling through first time flatting was and still is a challenge (and challenge I am enjoying nevertheless). I am sure new and exciting challenges will continue to present themselves as the year progresses and I am on the lookout for new opportunities.

I also plan on taking part in 100 happy days.  If you haven't heard of this yet you can check it out here http://100happydays.com/ basically it's all about capturing things that make you happy. I'm hoping it'll lead to me being able to focus on the positive more than the negative. Let me know if you are already or plan on taking part as well.

I think I'll leave things here and go and tidy! Or type up a blog post. Or maybe I'll be super productive and do both! We'll see!

Cheerio friends!
XX