New Year With an Ostomy

January is here and it’s time for the New Year, new me quotes. I have never been a fan of making resolutions, I do however have goals for next year and aims for what I want to happen next year.

I was having this conversation down in Brighton with my friends and we have all made a pact to start in January and that is to not spend money how we usually do. If it’s an essential, we will buy said item, however, wants and impulse purchases have been banned. I give us until April before one of us falls off of the wagon.

New year plans

Last year I formulated the say yes plan. Having a stoma occasionally means I get slightly neurotic regarding bathroom habits and ‘what if’s’. Those ‘what if’s’ are what if I have a leak? What if I can’t gain access to toilets?

I now always carry an emergency kit with me in my car and some spare clothing. My thought train last year was to expect the unexpected, that way I am equipped to deal with any eventuality.

I have a lot of goals for next year, I just need to manage my expectations.

So my goals for next year are:

Complete my diploma by May. I have a lot of upcoming exams, completing 11 of them has been and will continue to be my main aim. I have so far passed 4 of my unit exams, above 90% for grading so far.
Set up my Accountancy firm that deals with white label agency admin. I still need a name and I still also need to put my business plan down on paper.
Read more books. My reading has been rather low of late due to work and my revision schedule.
Aim for one show every three months with friends or my daughter.
Practice self-care and give myself some down time.
Finally get my hormone imbalance sorted with medication.
Follow up and chase my surgeon about my cyst.
Prepare myself for the chance that the removal of the cyst could lead to me having two stomas.
Practice time off of screens & social media. I have been implementing this but I still need to learn that 1 am is not a suitable time to be on my mobile watching reels.

My other aims are to hopefully get back to pre cyst weight & size but this is all hanging on when & if I have the surgery.

Setting aims or goals are about improving life for you and learning some self care and a little love.

I have been so busy the last year that I have only just slowed down to think about my highlights to the last year:

Was surprised with a trip to Paris for my birthday. This has always been on my bucket list and it exceeded my dreams and expectations.
Went to Greece and had the full Mumma Mia experience. The holiday was so relaxing and I felt refreshed after our 8 days away.
I got back into Adult education and have so far managed to pass 4 exams. Now for the other 6.
Finally got the authentic Christmas Market experience in Bruge.
I managed to see 5 amazing musicals this year.
Moved into our house & have finally made it feel like home.
Time spent with just my Husband and our daughter, family days out and Sunday traditions have been implemented.
Got my dream Puppy and am enjoying being a new pup mum.
My health has taken a dip but I should hopefully be on the road to recovery next year