7 Goals for a Happier 2019

Happy new year everyone! I hope you all had the most wonderful break? I took the last two weeks off to spend Christmas with my family, hibernate at home Coco, and just relax and it was glorious! After two weeks of being completely off the grid, it feels so good to be back at work and back to some sort of routine this week (I had almost forgotten what shoes and morning alarms were). But the time off afforded me the chance to get organised (I’ve been having an almighty de-clutter and re-organising my home, clearing inboxes, scheduling appointments I’d been putting off…), reflect on the year that has passed, think about how I want 2019 to look, and set some intentions for the new year.

I love the clean slate a new year represents, but learned long ago that abstract or restrictive resolutions (go to the gym, drink more water, etc.) are usually forgotten by February. So these days in prefer to set some goals that I know will improve my happiness and are more a way of life than a restrictive list of things I can or can’t allow myself for the year.

So in the spirit of a happier year ahead, here are seven intentions to set for the year ahead. Consider them our 2019 mantras, if you will:

1. Do more of what makes you smile // Life is simply too short to not fill it with things that make you happy. This year resolve to do at least one activity you love a week, see loved ones as often as possible, wear your favourite things in your wardrobe every day rather than saving them for a special occasion, and do something that makes you smile every single day. For me that means daily snuggles and playtime with my cat Coco, watching an episode of something hilarious with my husband (and actually paying attention rather than being on my phone or laptop the whole time), more walks in the park at lunchtime and on weekends, regular cultural outings to see a new show or exhibition, and weekly dates with friends.

2. Explore more  // When I look back on my favourite moments of 2018, a lot of them involved travel and new adventures (both near and far); from hiking in the rainforest with my Dad and watching the sunset with my nieces in Australia, trying Portuguese custard tarts in Lisbon or having picnics in the park in Paris, to sandy beaches on the Norfolk coast with friends. In my opinion, time and money spent on travel is never wasted (and I know a weekend away is going to be more enriching than another pair of shoes), so this year why not set a goal to visit a few new places you’ve never been before – whether close to home or halfway around the world. On my list? A few long weekends away in Europe, exploring some new places in the UK, and finally booking our (belated) honeymoon somewhere sunny and wonderful.

3.  Be your own cheerleader // A couple of years ago one of my New Years resolutions was to be a better cheerleader for my peers, colleagues and those around me and to stop engaging in gossip or judging others (a feat that is admittedly much easier now that I don’t work in Parliament) and it’s amazing what an impact it had on my overall feelings of happiness. But the one area where I haven’t managed to transcend negative thoughts is those directed towards myself. If I’m being completely honest, in 2018 I found myself constantly plagued by my own feelings of self doubt and not being good enough which then holds me back from achieving what I want. So this year I vow to not be controlled by my inner critic and instead strive to just do the things I want to do and achieve. What would you do in 2019 if you weren’t afraid of failing?

4. Do Good // If there’s one thing guaranteed to instantly boost your happiness, it’s doing something you know is good – whether for yourself or for others. Regularly do things you know are good for your health and your body, implement small changes that will have a big impact on the planet, practice daily acts of kindness towards others, and be aware of the important issues going on in the world and stand up for those causes that matter to you. Eat less meat (I gave up meat entirely a few years ago and haven’t looked back), say ‘no’ to single use plastic (I now don’t let myself buy takeaway coffee unless I have my reusable cup), volunteer for a worthwhile cause once a month, be politically engaged, hold the door open for someone who has their hands full, and send your friends thoughtful notes and packages when they’re having a bad month.

5. Keep learning // One of the best ways to have a feeling of success and satisfaction is to constantly strive to learn, improve and grow. Learn a new skill or deepen an existing one, enrol in evening classes, try a new recipe or cuisine every week, read industry publications to keep evolving in your work, and constantly shift out of your comfort zone to try something completely different. I want to continue learning French (which I started in the second half of 2018), try a new workout class, buy a better camera and improve my photography and editing skills, and strive to be better at whatever I do.

6. Say ‘no’ to anything weighing you down // Toxic relationships, activities that don’t add any value to your life, or clutter that doesn’t bring you any happiness – things we probably all have but can say goodbye to in 2019. Unfollow anyone who brighten your social media feed, distance yourself from the friends who are always negative or don’t bring any happiness into your life, look for a new job or career path if your current one makes you dread Monday mornings, and say no to things in your schedule that are optional but which feel more like an obligation than a source of joy (paying taxes are a non-negotiable, but no one is forcing you to go to bookclub with people you don’t like).

7. Be the leading lady of your own life // If someone were to write a movie of your life, what would you want it to look like? Don’t live your life as though you’re someone else’s sidekick; as Iris in The Holiday puts it, “you’re supposed to be the leading lady of your own life for god’s sake!” Dress and act how you’d want to be portrayed, do the things that make you feel you’re living your best life, and if anything feels as though you’re on the wrong path? Use this year to course-correct and make the changes you need to make your life look more like the one you dream about.

Pictured: Kate Spade agenda (now on sale) // Christian Louboutin heels // J.Crew earrings (also in 4 other colours) // Charlotte Tilbury lipstick // Anthropologie hair clips // Anthropologie gold dish (now on sale) //  Astley Clarke necklace c/- // Aerin Tuberose le Jour perfume.

What are your goals and intentions for 2019? I’d love to hear your own resolutions!

Love, Briony xx