2016 to-do list

I don’t believe in new year resolutions. Why? Well, I simply don’t believe you can start any year positively by imposing a list of things you shouldn’t do. It’s pretty basic psychology that you end up wanting what you can’t have, and frankly life is too short to set yourself up to fail that easily. Instead, I make a to-do list. Something to keep me on track for the year, filled with cities to visit, recipes to cook, things to do and anything else I’d like to change for the better. I find adopting this method makes me far more likely to succeed and doesn’t wind up with me stewing in a big pile of disappointment.

My to-do list is pretty long (there are 12 months to fill after all), so rather than regale you with the full version, here are 10 things from my 2016 to-do list:

1. Be more mindful. I’m really poor at living in the moment to the point where I miss things. I going to change that this year and be more grateful for each moment.

2. Have a month free from alcohol. This may sound like I’m straying into ‘can’t’ territory, but rather it’s a positive decision to cleanse my body and create better habits from 31 January and beyond.

3. Eat more plant-based foods. This goes beyond the Christmas and new year excess. For a while, I’ve been interested in focusing more on vegan living. I appreciate that it may take time for me to embrace this fully, but I’m keen to find out more about the lifestyle and make some positive changes.

4. Travel more. This item will always be on my list.

5. Improve my Italian. It’s been years since I spoke the language and one of my goals for 2016 is to remedy that.

6. Move house. I’ve started the overhaul of our flat to put it up for sale next month. We’ve lived in our flat for seven-and-a-half years, so it will be a big ask to leave a happy home. But it’s time for new adventures.

7. Spend less money on things and more money on experiences. This links really closely in with my love of travel.

8. Be a tourist in my own country. There’s so much of Scotland still to explore.

9. Make the most of mornings. It’s amazing how much can be achieved by setting the alarm a little earlier.

10. Relax more. Read, listen to music, lose myself in a box set. I’m always juggling two or three different things. It would be good to give just one thing at a time my full attention.

There you have it, 10 things I intend to do this year. What’s on your 2016 to-do list? Whatever it is, I wish you a happy one!