Happy New Year! And what DID you do last year?!

Written by Lisa Cadman, 26/01/2022

So – did you make any resolutions this new year? Mine for the first time ever was to make no resolutions! Each year I come up with the usual things – lose weight, get fitter, spend more time with family and friends, learn something new, have more ‘me’ time, travel somewhere I’ve not been before, try to save a little money etc. So this year I decided it was time to approach it slightly differently!

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Instead of thinking which of those things I didn’t achieve last year (basically all of them!), I have tried to start the year by thinking of what I DID do instead!

I didn’t lose four stone as hoped. In fact I gained two in all the various Covid lockdown periods, by snacking away my emotions. But what I did do, was make sure I made a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner for myself and my daughter every day, and spent more time doing it and being grateful for it.

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I didn’t get as fit as I’d like. But what I did do, was try to make myself go for a walk each day to get some fresh air and gentle exercise. Some days it would be 10 minutes, some days 2 or 3 hours, and some days not at all. But I did my best, and always felt better for it.

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I didn’t earn anywhere close to my normal wage through having to close the clinic so much during this period. But what I did do, was diversify, and put together beautiful handmade and handblended Aromatherapy products to sell to friends, family and clients, and I ran some regular product raffles to bring us in a little money somehow, and also sorted out things in the house and shed to sell for more income.

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I didn’t manage to save anything for the future, and I had to use up most of my savings. But what I did do, was scrape through, pay the rent and bills, and keep a roof over our heads (albeit with a little help from some amazing friends, family and clients along the way too), and I managed to keep my business alive. Resilience is sometimes one of the most useful skills we can have.

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I didn’t manage to treat my daughter to anything much last year. But what I did do, was be here to support her when she was home schooling, transitioning from secondary school to college for her ‘A’ Levels, and be here to take and collect her each day, and during all her long days and weekend rehearsals for her brilliant end-of-year show.

I didn’t get to Sri Lanka for my 50th birthday as I’ve been planning to for the last 10 years. But what I did do, was have a night away with my daughter, then a lovely weekend away with my sister, my daughter and her friend, and I also managed to have a wonderful family meal all together which was a real gift.

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I also joined The National Trust as a present to myself, signed up to walking 62 Miles for Refuge in August (to support those suffering from Domestic Abuse), and raised a whole ton of money and awareness in the process (and managed 100 miles in total).

I didn’t get to travel anywhere new abroad. But what I did do, was discover some lovely new walks and places here, with my memberships to Ramster Gardens, Hever Castle and the National Trust.

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I didn’t read 3 books a month as I had set myself a target to do. But what I did do, was read 32 books last year, so that’s close enough!

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I didn’t see much of my close friends or family in the various lockdowns because we were all staying home. But what I did do, was reconnect with some old friends over the phone and online that I’ve not spoken to or caught up with for ages!

So I guess what I’m trying to say with this blog is… sometimes instead of looking at what we haven’t done, far more positive a thing for us to do, is to look at what we DID achieve, and be proud and content with that. These are unusual times – things have been tough on all of us, in different and sometimes similar ways – and we must learn to treat ourselves with all the love, compassion and understanding that we treat the ones we love with too.

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If you would like to discuss any ways in which my treatments or products might be able to help you please do not hesitate to contact me on: 07710 173354 or email me at: lisa@soulspace.biz. I would really love to hear from you.

With all my love and hugs. See you next year!

Lisa
xXx

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