New Years Resolutions: Six Months Later

*whispers* can you believe we're already over half way through 2016? Tim Peake's back from Space, the Queen's another year older, Justin Timberlake sang at Eurovision (for reasons still unbeknown to me), Finding Dory was released, Shakespeare's been dead for 400 years, The Harry Potter stage show opened and Pretty Little Liars is still just as confusing as it's always been. Phew, what a jam-packed six months!

And because I love an excuse to write a blog post featuring a semi-colon in the title, I decided now would be the perfect time to look back at the year so far and see if any of those resolutions I made back in January are actually being put into practice. Turns out, I haven't done too badly...

1. Learn to talk slower

(Sub note: learn how to pronounce my own name correctly)
I've actually got quite good at this, I have to admit. It's a bit strange trying to force yourself to talk slower but when I'm talking on the phone, I notice what a huge difference it makes (because the person has no other visual cues to what you're saying). I haven't quite mastered the name pronunciation yet but I've developed a new system: say my full name and then spell out my surname. Obviously this doesn't work in Starbucks, but if I'm making an appointment or calling to confirm something, it works a treat.

2. Read more
I've managed to complete twelve whole books so far this year which probably isn't a huge number for some people, but personally I'm rather pleased. It's still sometimes difficult to find the time to switch off and delve into a book, but I've come to realise the benefits of doing it and I really value the time I have to fall into a fictional world. I've really been digging thrillers (like Gone Girl and The Kind Worth Killing) as well as books set around war time (like All The Light We Cannot see and Life After Life) with the occasional rom-com chucked in there for good measure (a la Me Before You).

3. Have a proper clear out of all my shit
I mean, are any of us surprised that this has yet to happen? I mean, I've done the odd thing, sure, but not quite on the scale I'd have liked. I'm hoping that when I regain dual-handedness and my parents start their elaborate house restoration project it'll give me the kick in the arse I need to evaluate all my belongings and work out what I do and do not need, as well as how much I can realistically store. Or maybe I'll just keep procrastinating.

4. Get my #GirlBoss on 
This was going super well, but for obvious reasons, this is now on hiatus. I'd gained so much confidence during the last few months and it really showed in what I was doing and how I was handling things. I still get the odd nervous blip, but overall, I'm able to power through and get shit done. I love it; I feel pro-active and capable and it's brilliant. Onwards and upwards!

~ Eleanor xo

My New Years Resolutions: 2016

I am notoriously awful at making, keeping, fulfilling and actually remembering my New Years Resolutions. I haven't bothered to attempt to make any for the last two years (that is, if we don't count the small mental note I always seem to make to myself to try and eat a little less. "Think of biscuits as drugs, Eleanor. JUST SAY NO").

Still, this year, the big twenty-sixteen, I am entering January as the dictionary definition of 'adult'. I'm probably totally incorrect here because I've never actually looked up the dictionary definition of adult, but I digress. In Eleanor's Dictionary (available at all good make-believe bookstores), an adult is an individual who:
a) Remembers running headlong down the middle of a road on the night of the last millennium
b) Is fulled by caffeine
c) Walks through a park when it's dark and is certain they're going to get mugged by youths
d) Is in the process of replacing every polyester blouse in their wardrobe with 100% cotton shirts
e) Talks about the weather constantly
f) Has an actual real life job and enjoys reminding people of the fact as often as possible
g) Wonders why their car isn't locking as they continually press the 'unlock' button on their keys

So, as a real life adult, here are my adult-proof resolutions:

1. Learn to talk slower

(Sub note: learn how to pronounce my own name correctly)
Talking fast is a habit I picked up after watching a large number of American teen shows and movies. At first I was all "this is so cool no one can keep up with what I'm saying and I look awesome", now I'm all "how many times do I need to repeat this ONE SENTENCE SO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING JESUS CHRIST". So I figure it's probably best to train myself to talk slower and then I won't have to repeat myself twenty times and everybody wins. Huzzah.

2. Read more
It's been three years of forcing myself to read through ginormous textbooks on everything from advertising, to market research to the psychology of a brand. AKA soul destroying stuff. Now I actually have my life back, I'm going to use my time to indulge in fun fictional reading. Also, I spend a large amount of my time each day sat in front of a mahoosive iMac screen, so being able to do something other than that is probs good for my health, eyesight and general well being.

3. Have a proper clear out of all my shit
When you spend three years with essentially two homes, you accumulate a hell of a lot of crap. I've been back home for just over seven months now and I still have half my stuff in boxes/stowed somewhere it shouldn't be. I need to fix that. Probably by stopping myself being a hoarder and actually keeping what I need and dumping what I don't. Famous last words.

4. Get my #GirlBoss on 
I'm the kind of person who wants everyone to like them so much that I try not to upset the peace by demanding stuff from people. However, I am paid to get shit done. Therefore I must make sure I am not afraid to do whatever is necessary to get said shit done.

Wishing you all a totally swagalicious 2016 (definition of which can be found on page 743 of Eleanor's Dictionary). Keep it real.
~ Eleanor xo

My New Years Resolutions: 2014

It's that time of year again where everyone begins to consider their most annoying traits, habits and unwanted body weight, and attempts to convince themselves that this can be rectified by the chime of a clock. I however, am not very gifted with a) making good resolutions or b) remembering that I made them. It's usually around March time that I suddenly realise I'm supposed to be, in the case of 2010, spending less time online, or like 2007, not talking about people behind their backs (ok, don't judge. We've all been there...)

It's been 52 weeks since fireworks illuminated the London skyline and Big Ben proudly announced it was 2013, and I'm struggling to recall if I actually made any resolutions. If I did, they were probably along the lines of "don't be so over-dramatic" or "stop being so bitchy", which, to put it mildly, didn't quite happen. Still, my main aim was to make 2013 an amazing year, and in hindsight, it really was. I settled into university life, made some amazing new friends, got brilliant grades and found myself in the relationship pool once or twice - muchos exciting.

Cliche as it sounds, and as much as I hate to admit it, I have truly found myself this year. Sure, it's been hella difficult (a technical term) at times, but isn't that half the fun of life? How can you appreciate true happiness if you do not experience sadness? - pretty deep, I know. If you ever find yourself writing an essay on the subject, feel free to quote me if you so wish. 

So what about 2014? Well, this year I'll find myself turning 20 (oh god, how is that possible) and provided I work my arse off, beginning my final year of university. Me, a girl who still laughs at immature sexual jokes and watches High School Musical on a regular basis, an adult? This can only go well...

Eleanor's 2014 Resolutions:
1) Take fewer things for granted 
Like my youthful complexion and tight ass. Ha, no I'm totally kidding. I'm referring to meaningful stuff like people and possessions and feelings and gross stuff like that.
2) Worry less
Never going to happen.
3) Don't focus on your weight or size, just eat well 
So basically, eat fewer biscuits. Again, never going to happen.
4) Mend broken bridges 
Obviously I am not referring to manual labour, I'm being all moving and metaphorically poetic.
5) Save money! 
How impossible!
6) Become more decisive 
Afriend suggested this to me and I think he has a point. Well, he might. I can't decide.

At least with written proof solidified on the internet (and with you, dear reader, as my witness), there is a chance that I may succeed. 'May' being the operative word, obviously. But, here's to the new me!.. Who will hopefully be less annoying than the last one. 

And so to you, my best pal (I'm gonna call you that because I feel like you are), I hope you entered 2014 thoroughly drunk (only if you're over 18, of course; I do not condone underage drinking at all...) and kissed someone at midnight who thinks you're wonderful; or you know, who had a great rack, whichever. 

Good luck in 2014, and as you more than likely pointed out in a Facebook status, this is definitely gonna be your year.

Happy new year!
~ Eleanor xo

19 things I want to do having turned 19

Leading up to my 19th birthday (which happened to be a few weeks ago - and yes I will accept belated birthday wishes), I started to think about what I wanted to achieve this next year. And I figured, because I'm 19, I should select 19 goals (am I smart or what). Here's what I came up with...

1. Cook an actual meal. Like, from scratch. 
Or, almost from scratch - I only have a year, I'm not a miracle worker.

2. Drive a super car at the speed of light (or so fast I feel I may throw up)

This isn't some crazy, potentially lethal idea, honest. For this years birthdays my dad arranged for my sister and I to drive 3 different super cars around a racing track. 0 to 60 in 3.5 baby! (Yes I will quote Rihanna lyrics if I want)

3. Get back into running

Maybe buying these insanely hot Nike running shoes will help?

4. Learn how to hold my liquor (not easy when my friends are all total lightweights)
I am doubtful that this will happen, but it sure will be fun to try.

5. Blog for real
I am so bad at actually committing to stuff, but I really want this whole blogging thing to work out so I shall try my best!

6. Finish my photo wall
I love waking up every morning to my photo wall, but right now it's only half finished. I purposely left room to post new pictures because everyday new cool stuff happens, but I reeeeeally want as much of the wall filled asap!

7. Enjoy my last ever family holiday
My parents have decided to ditch me after summer 2014. Yep, I am being ditched. By my parents. Oh the shame.

8. Conquer a fear
I haven't decided which fear yet, but I'm sure the process will be life changing and really not very enjoyable at all.

9. Keep on the paleo path
For the last few months I've been trying to follow the Paleo living and eating plan and it's really good, and I feel great (most of the time; when I'm not considering mass genocide just so I can eat a slice of bread). Healthy eating is great so I definitely want to try and continue with it as long as possible. {what's paleo? Educate yourself here}

10. Write someone a letter
Like, an actual real life pen and paper and stamp and home address written in calligraphy, letter. Nobody does it anymore and it sounds nice.

11. Tell my friends I love them as often as possible (without it getting weird)
Frankly, nobody says 'the L word' enough and I want everyone I love to know that I am nice and that (to me) they are super cool.

12. Take a step back from the drama
Drama seems to follow me everywhere, so this year I want to watch everyone else's drama from the sidelines, and not partake in my own. A mug of herbal tea to accompany my quiet life will suit me just fine, thank you.

13. Get work experience!
This is a very important point on my list; whilst getting a degree in advertising is good, it is even better if you have industry experience. Next summer I will be jumping in with both feet to get me some work experience!

14. Meditate
Don't give me that look! I got super stressed out a few months ago (boys, deadlines, uni, boys) so I started meditating before bed to help me relax after crazy days and subsequently sleep better. It actually really helped - and the internet is a great place to find tips on making the most of what mediation has to offer.

15. Keep my plants alive
It's really not as easy as it looks. Though, my dad did just buy me a cactus and they're supposedly near impossible to kill so I'm feeling positive.

16. Pass my second year of uni!
If this doesn't happen, I'm kind of screwed because I don't really have a Plan B...

17. Become a gold level Starbucks card member
You get cool free stuff like soya milk and flavoured syrups to add to your coffee. Yeah, it's pretty pointless but I'm over three quarters of the way there so now I just want to take it all the way. Green level is for suckers.

18. Use my year planner
I am notoriously egotistical when it comes to my ability to remember dates, but frankly, it's all lies. I recently bought myself a year planner and I am determined to use it to help plan my life. It's scientific fact that people with written planners are badass and never forget anything, and that is the kind of person I want to be.

19. Have fun and be happy (woop!)
Cliche and embarrassing to admit, but it's true. This year I want to find something that makes me so inexplicably happy that I never let it go (or just revel in this happiness for as long as possible). Positivity is key... I'm gonna write that down.

So there we have it, my 19 resolutions. Next year I'm gonna come back and see how many I actually managed to do. Wish me luck!

~ Eleanor xo