First of all, as I was a little absent from the blog over Christmas, I just want to say I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.  I really took the time this year to try and enjoy it as much as I possibly could.  The festive period is always tough on my anxiety and even though I still found it hard I have managed to get to the point where I was able to actually join in some of the more social festivities, such as visiting friends and family and even going for a pre-Christmas trip to the spa with my mum and sister.  I spent Christmas Day at home with family and got lots of lovely presents.  I was going to do a what I got for Christmas post as I love to see those but I just have too much to say about the lovely gifts I received that I have decided this year to do more in depth posts on them.  So if you're as nosy as me, keep a look out for them in the coming weeks.

If you are a follower of my blog you'll understand that 2016 was one of my toughest years and I will be glad to see the back of it.  It is the year I hit rock bottom with my anxiety and depression but I think it was hitting rock bottom that has enabled to be more open and honest about my struggles, realising that I am not alone in this struggle and realising that I am stronger than I ever even knew.  After entering 2016 feeling defeated, I feel like I can enter 2017 with strength, courage and positivity.  I have decided that this is going to be my year.  A year to discover myself all over again, be strong, be confident, be brave, be happier, be healthier and learn how to enjoy life again.  I'm not really one for new year's resolutions but if I have one goal it is to kick anxiety and depression's ass!  I'm not under any illusion that this is going to be an easy journey but I now realise that it is this journey that will make me the person that I want to be and I learn something new about myself along the way.  To do this I have set myself little, realistic, goals over the next year to keep me on track which include:

1. Eating healthier and as clean as possible (but we all know I shall succumb to cake and chocolate every now and then)

2. Sticking to an exercise regime - last year I discovered HIIT and yoga and how helpful they can be for my anxiety and depression, although I still sometimes let this get in the way and I want to push through the bad feelings because I know I'll feel better after.

3. Care less what others think - one of the main problems with anxiety and depression is the worry of what other will think of you and that you will seem weak.  This year I will strive to be more open and honest about my struggles as it has been a massive help and I have learnt that the only people you really need will not judge you but support and help you... and as for everyone else, who cares?!

4. Go on a trip - It has been almost two years since I have spent a night away from home and I am determined that this year I will conquer this fear and visit somewhere new and rediscover my love of new places.

5. Be more spontaneous - I hate change and last minute plans give me major anxiety but this year I want to learn how to embrace change and that not everything has to be meticulously planned out to be successful.

6. Blog more - I feel like this is always a goal of mine, one that I tend to fail at miserably, but I think that has mainly come down to my lack of confidence in myself so I'm hoping setting myself this goal will help me become more confident within myself too.

6. Get a tattoo - This is something that both terrifies me and excites me at the same time.  I have a real phobia of needles but I want something to symbolise my road to recovery and to remind me that if I am ever doubting myself, I have the strength to carry on.

Now, I'm not saying I'm going to achieve all these goals but I think it's good to have something to strive for and help me on my way to a happier and healthier me.

I would like to thank you all for your support, especially since I've started blogging about my anxiety and depression.  You have no idea how much I appreciate it and it has helped me.  Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!!

Have you set yourself any goals for this year?