Thoughts for the new year

We returned home last night after two fantastic weeks away for Christmas with my family at the farm, and New Year with friends.

I feel deeply happy and at peace as I enter 2012. If I consider the changes I was going through from a career planning perspective this time last year, I am relieved to have that turmoil behind me, and immensely proud of myself to have taken control of my own destiny on the work front.

I am rested and revived, which was badly needed by early December, if my last entry was anything to go by.

The highlight of my break was probably being around my parents, who are looking more content and relaxed together than I can ever remember. I thank God for their reunion after what was a four month period of hell for them (and their children) last year. For the first time in my adult life, there were no major blow ups between them over Christmas, and the house was largely peaceful, light and happy. I loved being there and will spend more time with them at home this year, I am certain.

With a grandchild on the way, my folks have reconciled just in time and are genuinely looking forward to this new chapter of their life together. I feel truly blessed to be able to raise our child(ren) with access to that loving home and wonderful farming environment, and really pray that my parents continue to hold things together to enable us to spend frequent holidays with them.

I am coping well with my pregnancy, and enjoying my heightened sexuality in particular at the moment. Weight gain has been slow, and I am confident that I can keep it down to a comfortable level throughout the rest of the second trimester and even into the third. The second trimester is also proving to be less draining than the first, and I enjoyed doing some walking on most days of my holiday, soaking up the sun a little and being outdoors in nature and with our dogs. These are really important to my well-being, I was reminded, and I look forward to spending more time on the farm next year from this point of view as well.

On a new year's resolution note, my one recorded intention from last year was to ensure that my life looked healthier, cleaner and more wholesome on film. Glancing back at photos from 2011, I think I have achieved my goal. Being on an alcohol hiatus over silly season has no doubt helped that too...

I was also keen to reconnect with old friends last year - and I feel I have done that to an extent, not least by attending my school reunion in the UK. I have strengthened existing close friendships across the board over the last 12 months too, so I am pleased about that and I would like to continue to maintain and deepen those important relationships this year. Making time for friends when a baby comes along will certainly be a challenge, but I know it is a critical aspect of my life balance.

For 2012, I resolve the following:

1. I will ensure that my pregnancy is a healthy one, for baby first and foremost, and also for me. This means eating well and consciously, taking the right supplements, exercising gently and enough, putting on the minimum required in terms of acceptable weight gain without being obsessive, while keeping stress levels low and awareness levels high. I will also keep my alcohol consumption down after giving birth - this has been key to how clear headed and healthy I feel at the moment.

2. With my 30th birthday in June, I resolve to get back into shape quickly to ensure that I feel great in my body during this milestone year. My goal will be to take four months to get back to my ideal and maintainable weight and fitness levels (60kg, running 5km with ease) - so that by the time I am a bridesmaid on 6 October, and with the summer approaching, I will be looking and feeling as close to my best again as possible. Achieving this will be linked inextricably to the points I make in resolution 1 - these will prepare me for an easier recovery after birth.

3. As my business is now ticking along nicely, the aim for 2012 will be to maintain and steadily grow, while allowing enough time and a financial cushion to enjoy my later pregnacy and newborn baby. I will refine my client base and up my billings this year. I will also continue my industry education through webinars, courses and networking functions.

Phew - a marathon entry. But 2012 is shaping up brilliantly on all fronts - health, prosperity, career, marriage, friendships, family and opportunities. I give immense thanks for all of this!

HoneyChild