New Year's Resolutions

"The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things he will certainly do nothing effective."

-Gilbert K. Chesterton

Happy new year everyone! Considering today is the first day of 2016 (Is it just me or did 2015 just fly by?) I thought it would be fun to share my personal new year's resolutions with you all. Some of them, of course, will have to do with style (if you want to see my top five style resolutions for this year click here!) but most of these ones are about making 2016 my best year thus far by being healthier, happier, and less stressed! Ready to hear them?

1. Keep a Planner and Stay Better Organized

This is something I tried to do throughout 2015 by using the calendar on my phone, but failed miserably. So this year for Christmas my mum gifted me a lovely leather bound planner from Gallery Leather, and I cannot be more excited to start using it! The reason why this is so important to me is because in 2015, though it was great and all, due to not properly keeping a calendar I had a tendency to over extend myself leaving me completely stressed out. So in 2016 I will get better organized.

2. Eat Healthier, Exercise More, and Get Better Sleep (Hopefully lose a little weight too!)

The one thing that I wish would've stuck around about 2014 was my diet. Two years ago, I ate completely clean and was very committed to eating healthy and exercising regularly. In 2015? Not so much. With working long hours, writing, photographing, and of course blogging, I found myself going out to eat much too frequently and eating (and drinking) things that simply aren't good for me and on top of this I barely made it to the gym this year. Therefore in 2016 I'm going to begin eating better, drinking less, and exercising everyday again, because come bikini season, I will have a toned stomach even if it kills me!

3. Budgeting My Money Better

Yikes! If I learned one thing in 2015 it's that I need a personal accountant because I am terrible with money. 2015 is the first year that I have lived completely out on my own and though I'm fine with getting my bills paid, I never seem to be able to save, I think this is because I never set a budget for myself. For this year I have actually set a budget and I think it will really help me get a hefty nest egg in my savings account. Not to mention give me a good bit of money to have for spending when I visit the U.K. in October! (Wow, so weird not to be saying "next year"!)

4. Travel

Though I do have one huge trip coming up to visit my beau in October, I also plan on making a few smaller ones throughout the year within the states to visit friends and family. For instance my bestie lives right outside of St. Louis Missouri and I still have yet to visit her there and actually take a look around! I also plan on doing these via road trips in the spring and summer months so I can actually enjoy the scenery a little more. I love flying as much as the next lady, but nothing is more exciting than being on the open road!

5. Be a Bit More Thrifty

Yet another thing I miss about 2014-- thrifting. I used to look forward to spending every Saturday morning at Goodwill or The Red, White, and Blue Store with my mum just seeing what awesome stuff we can find! In 2015 I unfortunately haven't had time to head to the thrift store and honestly spent a questionable amount of money on Tradesy (It was worth it, I swear!). But this year I plan on getting back to my thrifty self!

6. Try Something New At Least Once A Month

This is a big one for me just because I've been itching for some excitement! Whether the new thing will be a different fashion trend, restaurant, museum, or just driving aimlessly to new places to take some photos, I want to live life to the fullest and have new experiences and make some seriously sweet memories!

7. Get Back To Photography--That Isn't Work

Some of you may or may not know that I am actually a professional photographer for the company Dick's Sporting Goods. However ever since I graduated college and got my degree the only photography I have done has only been work or blog related. Now, not that that's a bad thing but I would really like to get back to my creative roots this year and start some new projects! Love this photo? To check out more of my personal photography work, click here.

8. Take One Day A Week To Just Relax

This goes back to how I over extended myself all year long in 2015. So this year I am vowing to just take Sundays easy. No work, no blog (okay maybe not this one but I'll work up to it!), just relaxing and enjoying time with my furbabies and loved ones. And you know, when April comes around, Game of Thrones!

What are some of your New Year's Resolutions? Be sure to share them in the comments below!

I hope you all have a wonderful year in 2016, and just remember today is not just a new day, but a whole new year, and a blank slate. I'm sure everyone will do marvelous things this year and I can't wait to see what unfolds! And at that, I leave you with this:

"I hope in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're doing something."

-Neil Gaiman

Happy New Year Everyone!

Xx, Bree