As we've recently reached the half way mark of the year I thought I'd have a brief overview of what I have done so far in 2015 and what I still plan to do throughout the rest of the year as an exercise to try and stay focused on my goals (unfortunately procrastination is an art form that I have seemingly perfected).
What I have done:
Start a blog- One of my main goals for this year was to start a blog as a platform for me to practice my writing. Since leaving University I felt like I ceased to have a reason to regularly write about anything and, apart from updating my personal journal sporadically, I could feel myself losing some of the passion that I once had for words. Since starting TRIOF I have felt that passion rekindle and have not only found the process of writing entries enjoyable but also it seems to act as a tool to ensure that I keep my brain active as I am constantly on the search for new things to write about.
Travel the UK more- 2015 was always going to be a year that Sam and I tried to save a bit of money with 2014 being the year of returning back to the UK, finding a job and getting a flat (thus ruling out any time for saving). Consequently we most likely wouldn't be having a big holiday abroad and so it meant finding places to explore a little closer to home instead. So far this year I have visited; Liverpool, Wales, North Yorkshire, Scotland, Birmingham, London, Norwich and heaps of places around my home county of Suffolk too. I promised myself that I wouldn't lose that urge to explore once returning home last year and hopefully I still have plenty more places to see before 2015 comes to a close.
Learn to run- I was always one of those people that said: 'I can't run'. I literally felt like I didn't have the ability to run for any longer than a few minutes before my throat felt like it was on fire and that my calf muscles were about to fall off but what I've learnt recently is that having that mentality was half the problem. I am in no way confessing to be a long distance runner now at all...far from it in fact...but in comparison to what I was running before (which was absolutely nothing) I am practically running marathons. Its about taking baby steps and setting little challenges rather than comparing yourself to others.
What I would like to do:
Start learning sign language- This is something that I have wanted to learn for coming up to a decade now and have never had the balls to try. I am practically deaf in my right ear so I have always felt a compulsion to learn to sign, not because I particularly need to right now, but as a precaution for the future and as a way to hopefully help others maybe as a career path in years to come. I can only imagine what it would be like to lose all hearing as my experiences pale in comparison, for example; if I am in a noisy place such as a bar or a cafe I will struggle to hear anybody that is sitting on my right hand side and have taken to lip reading in these instances to enable the conversation to continue.
Enrol on a Distance Learning course- I never want to stop learning new skills or gaining qualifications and therefore I would love to start a Distance Learning course which allows me to work from home and is flexible enough to work around my full- time job. I am contemplating this Freelance Writing course at the London School of Journalism with the inclusion of the additional 'Travel Writing' units as the ultimate career goal in mind is to work full time as a content/ editorial writer.
Go surfing and/ or snowboarding- I was so very close to ticking one of these off a few weeks ago when Sam and I planned to go to Dunbar beach on the east coast of Scotland to have a quick surf. Unfortunately the wind and the sea had other ideas and what was available on the day (which was 0-0.5ft mush with bone- chilling cross- winds and rain that seemed to fly sideways) didn't accommodate these plans. We've got a few snowboarding trips planned for this year however, most likely in an indoor facility, so I'll have to keep you posted on this one.
Start scrapbooking- Sam bought me a beautiful scrap book a few years ago for Christmas and all that's in it so far is dust and a few post cards that I slotted into the sleeve about 18 months ago. I think its sad that we generally don't tend to print photos much anymore with the introduction of social media and I think it's really important to keep tangible momentos of adventures that you've been on.
Complete my Reading Challenge- I'm not going to go too much into this one as I am failing miserably at it so far and I feel like I've actually read less since starting this challenge for myself!
Complete my Summer Bucket List- Well this one is complete TBC as I've managed to tick plenty of things off already and I've got heaps of plans for the rest of the summer too.
Hello and welcome to This Ruth Is On Fire, a UK blog which is a haven for random thoughts and sarcastic observations.
I'm also into books, clothes and visiting places too.
