Goals for 2016... Better Late Than Never!

This year has been the hardest of my life but now it's time to take it off hold and start living it again. The rest of this year is going to be all about becoming stronger, both physically and mentally, and more confident. It's about kicking my low self-esteem up the butt and remembering how amazing I am. I feel as though I have a few pieces of my jigsaw missing and I want to change that. I've set myself three goals so that I have something to focus on and work towards, they are:

1. Improve to my running
2. Start on the pathway to my new career
3. Fall madly and deeply in love

The first goal is a bit vague so here's breakdown of what I would like to achieve:

• Complete my first marathon and have fun doing it without worrying about time
• Run a sub 2:15:00 half marathon
• Run a sub 55 min 10k (current record is 62 minutes something)
• Reduce my short run average pace to 9 min/mile

This means I need to actually run more often, I'm only running 2-3 times a week at the moment but want to aim for 4. I also want to include doing hill repeats, speed work and strength training. I already know that I should be doing these things but most of the time I completely forget once I start running and other times I'm just too lazy to bother.

I also want to start doing yoga at home and maybe a spin class one or twice a week.

Looks like fun...

If I start incorporating them into my weekly routine then I'll be fine, I just need a bit of motivation.

*wipes drool from chin*

Once my marathon is over and done with, I'm going to start running with my dog Winston. The first thing will be to train him not to trip me up then it'll be getting him to actually run by my side. The first time I tried running with him we both ended up on the floor. The second time he shot off and then decided he could walk as fast as I could run... this did not make me look good!

The second goal is to finally sort out what I want to be when I grow up.

If only it was that simple!

I have a few ideas but am going to keep them to myself for now. I've sent a couple of emails out asking for advice so will see what happens there.

The third goal isn't really a goal but is probably going to be the hardest. I've decided to stop online dating and try seeing what the real world can come up with.

I want someone kind, caring, honest and respectful. Someone to laugh with me, share experiences with me and support me in my life choices and goals. I also need someone who can embrace all the madness that comes along with me and I will do the same for him. I just have 2 non-negotiables, he must be 6ft or above (I'm 5ft 10" and like to wear heels) and a non-smoker.

The downside to offline dating is that you meet less men and then you don't know if they're single, interested in you or even actually looking for a relationship etc. Now I know what you're thinking, you don't know any of those things for sure with online dating either but at least you have a better chance.

This is where you guys come in. I am open to being set up so feel free to match me up with someone you know.

Maybe give it some real thought first!

Now I've said them out loud I actually need to start doing them and I'm sure my fellow Pegs will keep me to this and help me along the way. I always work better with structure and a plan to follow so it's about time I gave myself some realistic goals to work towards. Who knows, I might actually achieve one or two of them!

Here I go!

A Full 360 - Career, Life and Love

Yesterday I had my last counselling session and it feels like I've come full circle. When I started back in October I was amazingly low and couldn't figure out what my life was all about, some mornings I couldn't even decide what clothes to put on. I didn't know what I wanted to do for a career, what I enjoyed doing in my spare time, who I wanted to date or if I even liked the person I was.

It's taken about 2 months, a lot of low points, a lot of heartache but I'm coming out of the other end and I feel stronger, empowered and in control of my own happiness again.

I'm learning to!

I've thought a lot about the type of career I want and I know it's not the one I'm doing right now. I want something that makes me feel as though I'm giving back to my community, the type of job that makes me want to jump out of bed in the morning and skip my way to work. I've realised that I'll have to retrain so the job I have right now is exactly what I need to help me fulfil my ambitions.

Yay it's Monday! Hmmm that might be overdoing it a bit.

Money is another issue for me, I always thought I needed more and more of it so that I can buy more and more things that I 'needed'. Well it turns out that I had that pretty wrong too. I want enough money to pay my rent, bills and keep myself and my dog fed but I no longer feel the need to have a big pot of gold and a load of crap to make me happy. Obviously if I had a lottery win then I'd graciously accept my winnings... I'm not crazy!

Might need to actually buy a lottery ticket

I've started a few new hobbies too which have given me a reason to enjoy exercising again, they also help to relieve day to day stresses and get me out of the house and interacting with people. I've discovered that I love running, yoga and indoor climbing... yes you read it right, I said I love running! Yoga gives me that warm glowy feeling with a touch of added flexibility and indoor climbing gives me a physical and mental challenge and a way to face my fears.

Apparently...

The next big thing is love. Good old love. I grew up being told to marry a man who had a good job, someone who could 'keep' me and for a long, long time I thought that was what I wanted and needed. Lately I've realised that I've got a good job, a lovely (rented) house, a new-ish car and an amazing dog - I already have everything that I could want or need so why would I look for a man to provide those things for me?!

I want a man who is kind, respectful and knows how to show me the love I deserve. I want to feel that Ed Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud was written by him for me. I want him to have a job that he loves and makes him happy regardless of how much he earns a year, together as partners we'll earn enough to live on. Now don't get me wrong, I'm more than happy with being swept off my feet but in a fun way and not in a 'look after me' way. I'm not going to settle for less than I deserve so I'll just keep having fun dating until it happens.

Especially when it's dessert!

I am finally learning who I am, what I want from life and who I want to share the journey with me. I never knew what 'happy' looked like but now I can see that happiness and contentment is within my reach. As long as I am true to myself then I don't need to worry about outside influences bringing me back down. I am all that I need.

Damn right!

  

Now where did I put my cape?

#PushingBackHarder