My 2019 Tick-list ~ Update

Gosh, what a year. I feel like I've been through hell and back this year. The important thing to remember is that I came back. Not all the dust has settled from this awful year but I'm positive that things will continue to sort themselves out and we can move forward in a happier direction.

Family life is good. In just a few months I will have been with Mr K for 3 years already. We've had a lot of positive change, I'm now officially in my 30's, as a family we have pulled through a very difficult time and whilst like all families difficult times will always appear I know that I have a wonderful partner, amazing children, some truly great family members and friends in our corner and God truly is a part of our lives.

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Now onto the actual post! Last year I wrote this post about my 2019 ticklist, a simple list of things I would like to accomplish in 2019. I had no idea how awful this year would become but even so, I feel really pleased that I managed to cross off and do as many as I did! Here's a round up of 2019's goals and how I plan to continue them in 2020.

• Focus on my Eco goals.

I am pleased to say that we have all been working hard on this topic. This year really saw schools and local communities go further with key eco areas, recycling being the top of the list. 

We continue to recycle all we can. I now keep crisp packets for a lady at church who collects them, I am aware of many schemes that can mean you don't have to throw many other types of plastics away but due to storage I have struggled with this. We upcycled a little this year, mainly in the garden and I have donated a lot of things instead of throwing them out thinking no one would want them.

• Get the garden growing flowers and food again. Attracting butterflies and bees

We had a really good growing year, not the best but I found the weather was really bitter and frosty still here until at least April which slowed our planting process. 

The garden needed a massive overhaul and I did what I could with the help of a good friend. We had tomatoes, raspberries, various herbs, a few flowers popped up for the bees, we also had loads of runner beans and potatoes. 

• Get a divorce

I am half way there! Annoyingly I have had my decree nisi application returned twice due to addresses missing. On one occasion it was my fault but the other the form didn't specify something quite important. It's been returned to the court for the third time and I am hoping this time a nice judge will agree I can apply for my absolute, this means I should, with any luck, be divorced by Easter.

• Come off anti depressants

I have actually done this! In July when things went really bad and everything started to feel too much I needed to look at a different form of  medication. I tried this new medication and it made me feel even worse. I have since decided that anti depressants are just not for me. I now have Kalms, a herbal remedy and a wonderful counsellor. I also try to make time for myself each day and enjoy my long showers. Of course some days can feel pretty dark but I am pleased to be in this place now and really proud given the crap I have had to deal with since July!

• Focus on small money making 

Well I have continued with my surveys which have brought in some nice small amounts a couple of times this year. I haven't been able to make any kind of nest egg. Well I did but since August it's all gone on court fees, which is fine because it's for my children so it doesn't matter at all. Hopefully next year I will be able to use any savings on something more fun for the children instead!

• Get my health back on track both mentally and physically

Mentally and physically I will always be working on myself, like most people! As above, I am keen to look after myself mentally to keep me in a good mood and looking forward to things. Working with CBT, my counselling, and my own self care methods I know things will be good. Physically I think I need to at least do some exercises that will help my back and arms to maintain the muscles which will be beneficial for the care I give to Mr K.

• Decorate the bathrooms

One bathroom is completely finished (a part from the floor which needs some anti slip flooring costing a lot of money!) It is a Doctor Who themed loo! Our main bathroom is currently being painted white and will be a rather pink kawaii based bathroom- no shame!

• Make my own reusable items

Annoyingly I have not managed to make anything this year. I would very much like to make homemade items such as candles and I have been collecting wax to melt down and make new candles for myself at home, I have just not got round to it! I also never got around to making homemade wax wraps for my fridge food. There is a project for the new year!

And below is a little list of the extras I wanted to achieve:

• Learn to paint

• Regularly write again particularly to pen pals

• Read 30 books

• Go to another christian festival

• Spend some time doing more Bible study

• Make homemade Christmas gifts

• Play a song on the piano

• Donate to good causes every month

• Have a family gathering

• Make sleep a priority and get into a good bedtime routine

• Significantly reduce my take outs this year. I spent way too much last year!

7 out of 11 isn't too bad at all! Reading books has been something I simply could not focus on this year. It's only been in this month that I have managed to respond to all my very overdue pen pals but I am pleased I have done so. I have also not conquored the art of an early bedtime yet! I seem to find that after a long day the night is mine so I tend to definetly spend far too long doing what I want to do instead of sleeping and starting everything again the next day. 

However, I have reduced my take outs massivly this year, I had a wonderful day again at Big Church Day Out; a Christian festival in the spring, I have managed to donate money or items every month to several good causes, can play several songs on the piano thanks to Mr K teaching me and we had a huge get together at my Aunt and Uncles anniversairy bash this year which was amazing.

I will set up my new tick-list for 2020 shortly and I hope to do just as well if not better next year.