...my plans for 2016!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!! 

First of all I would like to apologise for not posting anything on this blog for MONTHS! Lots of things happened towards the end of last year which made my work soar through the roof and unfortunately not leaving me with much spare time =[ 

But that was last year so let's forget about that!

The start of a new year always forces us to think about the things we would like to do differently the following year, what we are going to do to make the next year better than the previous one and a stream of New Years Resolutions that we all know that we aren't going to keep. 

Now, I am no different to everyone else. I have a few plans & goals for what I WILL attempt to achieve in 2016 and I thought I'd share them with you because that's what we do, right? 

Goal 1 - Become a certified Beginners + Intermediate Aerial Hoop Instructor 

I've been doing Aerial Hoop for about a year now and I LOVE it! Since I am already an Aerial Yoga Instructor and I love teaching others, it only makes sense for me to train in this! Also I enjoy flying around and doing cool stuff ;P

Goal 2 - Set up my own business and get it off the ground

This goal actually began in the Summer of 2015 but 2016 will see the launch of my own business aaaaaand my relocation to a completely new location. Extremely exciting but rather scary stuff. However, I do believe that stepping out of your comfort zone every once in a while, is very good for you. 

Goal 3 - Work Out Daily 

Now I know a lot of people will read this and say 'Steph, you already work out daily' because my job as a dancer, yoga instructor etc... is already physical. You are not wrong my friends but I would like to do some work outs for me. Even though I love teaching my classes and they do class as a workout, it's not quite the same as doing a workout for yourself. Any of you who also teach, will know what I'm getting at. 

I'm happy to say that I started this on Boxing day and it's going really well. I downloaded the Sweat with Kayla app after reading about Kayla in the Women's Health magazine. (I won't talk about who Kayla is and what she does but if you want to find out more, click here.) The app contains different workouts for each week and you have a choice of 4 options: Resistance, Liss, Rehabilitation & Rest. During each week you will complete 3 resistance workouts (legs, abs and arms), 3 Liss workouts (walking, cycling etc..), 2 rehabilitation days (stretching and using a foam roller) and 1 rest day.   

The are also some really useful features in the app such as educational information about workouts, nutrition & meal tips, detailed ideas for what to eat each day and a way for you to track you progress. 

I AM LOVING IT!! 

Goal 4 - Gain more skills and learn more

This goal links into goal 1 & 2 but I really want to keep learning new things throughout 2016. I strongly believe that striving to better myself as a teacher/performer/person is really important. I am looking to learn about anything and everything. If you have any ideas for what I could learn about, leave me a comment and I'll definitely check it out. 

I think that's enough to keep me busy in 2016, don't you? 

I'd be really interested in hearing about your plans for 2016 so please do share them with me. 

Big loves x

....Goodreads 2015 Reading Challenge

At the beginning of this year, I challenged myself to get into reading again.

I wanted to start reading again because I thought it would be a good replacement for my pre-bedtime social media check up. Also, I overthink WAY too much sometimes and having a good book on the go gives me something else to focus on. This gives my busy brain a chance to calm down *thumbs up*
Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy the odd rummage through various social media platforms before bed, but not every night.

Now, I'm a person who works best when there is a target to try and achieve. Dare I say, I work best under pressure. So I set off to find a reading challenge and that's when I came across the Goodreads 2015 Reading Challenge. 

It's SOOOO simple that I think you should all get involved!

Here's what you need to do!

1. Visit Goodreads
2. Make a FREE account 
3. Set your goal for the rest of 2015
4. Add a book each time you finish one 
5. Watch as you slowly reach your end goal

I have aimed to read 10 books in 2015. I've only read 4 so far but I'm on my 5th and there is still time yet!!

Want to see what books I've read? 

You can take a look at my profile here

I'd love to hear about any of your reading goals and also if you've got any book recommendations for me!

Big loves xx

...#happydays for ONE YEAR!

That's it, you read it right! 

I have posted a picture on my Instagram every day for ONE YEAR!! (well it's slightly over now as I have been totally useless in writing this post) =[ 

Like many people, last year I jumped onto the band wagon and took on the #100happydays challenge. Those of you, who may have been hiding under a rock last year/travelling somewhere deep and exotic and don't know what I harping on about... The challenge was to post a picture to one of the many social media platforms every day for 100 days. The idea is that you have to post something that has made you happy that day. 

I loved this! I think it is important to focus on the things that make you happy! It is ever so easy to constantly focus upon the negative aspects of our lives...

Something bad happened at work today

I wish that I was fitter/healthier/slimmer/more toned/prettier/taller/shorter BLAH BLAH BLAH

Is it worth it?

Maybe I shouldn't have said that? Oh god, do they hate me? they probably hate me, dear lord WHY?

What am I doing with my life?

...and so on and so on!

So I took on the challenge, unaware that I would get instantly hooked and end up posting everyday for a year! That's right, a whole 365 days - MADNESS, I tell ya! 

As for all of us, a lot has changed in my lift over the past year and I thought it would be nice to share some of my favourite photos with you all =] 

Catch ups with friends

My first ever cake pops made for Easter! 

I developed a ridiculous obsession with Lush Bath Bombs

I choreographed FAME The Musical for Park House School 

Bruce and I went on a lovely winter walk

Russell loves Christmas and boxes

I met Monty the Penguin =] 

I went rock climbing for the first time & did alright!

BESTIVAL 2014

I went to Norwich for the first time 

I got this beauty tattooed on my thigh

PAINT!!

Now I challenge you all to start your own #100happydays and I look forward to seeing all of your pictures!

If you want to check out the rest of my pictures from the past year, you can find me on Instagram under the username _stephanieemma_

Big Loves, 

Steph xxx