If there is one plan (and I use the term loosely because I hate making long term plans that inevitably fall by the wayside) that I want to follow through on this year; it is to do two things. Be more selfish, and give more.
Doesn't make sense right? Being selfish and giving are at opposite ends of the scale. But giving can entail many things and there is nothing wrong with scaling back on some aspects and escalating others.
When I say I want to be more selfish. I am not talking about holding on to the last Rolo or showing no consideration for others. What I mean is that this year, I need to remember to take care of myself too. To give a little less of myself in some areas, which will enable me to give more in others.
As I have said in my previous post I am guilty of falling into the habit of being different personalities around different people. The "I'm fine" person, when I'm really not; the sociable person; when I want to be alone (although I need to bring that out more as it is tied to my anxiety); the shy person in a group of people, while with my friends I am never scared to put my voice forward. Molding your personality to fit the situation is exhausting and this year I decided, I am just not doing it anymore.
I am also going to take more time out for myself. Some me time, on my own. I need space on my own sometimes, even if it is just shutting a door or going to spa on my own for the afternoon. I need it; and I deserve it. We all do.
But I also want to give more this year and that does not have to involve giving myself. Giving can be giving some of your time, writing a blog post to promote a charity or even working charity into your everyday shopping.
So my first goal is to write something for a different charity each month. I tried to start that last year, but I only managed a few posts. This year I will do better. This month I am going to write about the Marie Curie Daffodil appeal and next month I am featuring an amazing woman who is 10 years Cancer free, after having one lung removed after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Mesothelioma. She now raises funds for research and that will be my February charity post.
Another way I intend to give is by giving money. Although I donate some money to Women's Aid and Refuge every month, I cannot afford to give much. So another way that you can give money is through your shopping.
After a little research, there are a number of ways that you can do this.
I am always one for finding a bargain online, any way to save money on a purchase. I have some across a site called https://www.discountpromocodes.co.uk/ which not only finds you the discount codes for the shops that you want, it also donates 20% of it's profits every month to a different charity. This month they raised over £200 for the Alzheimer's Society and since they began they have raised over £51,000.00. That is just incredible.
So this is my plan this year. Take care of myself more, and give a little more. We all need to look after ourselves and we all need to give a little back. This is going to be my way of doing that.
