I love reading Tanya’s blog all about the letters she is writing to her children Max and Rebecca. She is a brilliant writer, mom, runner, and I especially love her honesty. Her recent post was particularly inspiring and I thought I would try out the questionaire too:
2017 – My Year in Review
1. What did you do in 2017 that you’d never done before?
Planned and did a lot of travelling to new places!
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I managed to keep 3 of the 4. We achieved all my travel goals, party planning and photo shooting ones, but I failed miserably at the health and weight one. I will definitely make more resolutions for 2018 and yes! Carry over and focus on the weight one!
3. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
We are in Cape Town, so most likely we will have family and friends over for dinner at our house.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
With God’s grace, no.
5. What countries did you visit?
It was a big year for travel: we went to India, Nepal, Italy, Greece, Brazil, Peru and Vienna. And a few more Swiss Cantons, leaving us with only 2 to go.
6. What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?
Honestly, I really think 2018 needs to be the year I make some strides in the health department. I am starting to write a fully comprehensive list of all the big and small changes that I can make, so that come the end of 2018 I can honestly say I look and feel healthier!
7. What date from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory?
A specific date? That is pretty hard… probably the girls’ First Communion ceremony and the party we held thereafter. It was a wonderful day especially as all our family was there too!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
One of my goals for 2017 was to freelance as a stylist and photographer and I was thrilled to not only get one but two gigs doing just that which I love: I am now a regular contributor for Party Pieces and Ideas Magazine.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I would have to say losing weight. I honestly set 2017 as my year to be lighter at the end of it, and I really failed.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Whilst I did not “suffer” at all, having a tumor removed from my jaw has made me acutely aware of the need to focus on health and self care.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I bought a new lens for my camera that I am loving at the moment!
12. Where did most of your money go?
Most probably of all the trips we planned. I am starting to learn some great travel saving tips too.
13. What song will always remind you of 2017?
I love the new Ed Sheeran: Perfect!
14. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Probably, Pilates or mastering the art of cooking healthy meals at home.
15. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying, I spent quite a bit of time worrying that I was not “doing” anything. It has always been tough for me not to have a proper job or project; and so it has taken a while for me to be comfortable with the task of looking after our home, the girls and then trying my hand at something completely different by styling and photographing parties etc.
16. What were your favourite TV shows?
Definitely, This is Us. It totally made my year!
17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I can’t think of anyone; but I am trying to let go of the feelings I still have towards failed friendships from the previous year or two.
18. What was the best book you read?
I didn’t read nearly as much as I had hoped too. I can’t specifically think of a book that had a meaningful impact – most were just your typical chic-lit. But I do think some of the “minimalist” articles I read online made me start to implement this way of life.
19. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Can’t think of one for me. But have really enjoyed listening to Zara play the piano as she started lessons this year.
20. What was your favourite film of this year?
Not a film, but we saw Wicked at the theatre and it was AMAZING!
21. What did you do on your birthday?
Was totally blown over by the amazing gift from my friend; and had the best day ever at the Vitra Design Musuem and enjoyed going out to dinner to a Zug restaurant I have been meaning to go to for years.
22. What kept you sane?
Most likely: my blog and funnily enough having my four new years resolutions. I took them quite seriously albeit one. And it helped me to stay focused and feel I am achieving something during the year – especially now as I don’t have a traditional job.
23. Who did you miss?
I was lucky this year that my family visited us in Switzerland and we are here in South Africa for Christmas, so I did not miss them nearly as much as previous years.
24. Who was the best new person you met?
I really enjoyed getting to know all the Moms at school better.
25. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017.
In 2016, Liam and I set a goal to get stuff done (basically all the admin. you put off year after year), and this year our goal was to get rid of stuff (Toss, Donate, Recycle was our mantra!). For 2018, I have decided to have our manifesto be ENJOY THE LITTLE THINGS. I really did enjoy 2017 especially the BIG trips we made, but I did spend a lot of the year feeling like I wasn’t achieving BIG things. So in 2018, I want to see the value in little things that I do. That they do make a difference to the lives of my family and friends and in their totality are a BIG deal! So laterthis week I will be sharing my New Years Resolutions for 2018!
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