If I have one resolution for 2013 it is to achieve slightly more by planning to do a lot less. To explain, I seem to terrify myself with an imposing list of approximately 1,000 things to do. A variety of motherhood / relationship / friendship / home / garden / career / craft / cookery tasks of differing size. So much so that The List seems impossible to tackle and I make a hasty retreat to the sofa. I also tend to feel that I need permission to do something fun (e.g. crafting) if something less fun (e.g. painting the window ledge) needs to be done. But then I think of a hundred reasons not to do the less fun thing either so nothing gets done. I am a big fan of lists though and find once I’ve written tasks down they seem instantly more achievable.

So, I’m going to start with making a Little To Do List for January comprised of a mix of activities on. If it works I’ll carry on. Here it is, it’s been edited down so is hopefully realistic and won’t leave me in a heap of failure come January 31st!

1. Make a new recipe from an unused actual real life cookbook – I have far, far too many of these and only seem to use the internet for recipes these days. 
2. Read LS 5 new stories. I’m trying to eke out her sitting down nicely for a story time bit by bit. I’m desperate to move on from the That’s Not My books to something a little more entertaining.
3. Read a book myself – given that I only got to read one book in 2012, I’ll be impressed if I achieve this one!
4. Visit a local house or garden attraction. Will I ever feel like I make the most of the world on my door step? The photo above was taken at Myddelton House Gardens on LS’s birthday last September.
5. Complete a photo book of LS’s first year – the photo book voucher I have that expires mid January should be an incentive to get this done!
6. Do some DIY artwork for our sitting room. This one has been on my List for a while and I have made a few attempts that I’m not happy with. I’ve been collecting ideas on Pinterest to inspire me.
7. Agree on how to decorate our hallway and study that we had re-plastered in December (I feel that doing the actual decorating will take much, much longer).
8. Pick up the cross stitch project that Mr S gave me for my birthday nearly 3 years ago which I last worked on during my 11 days on the overdue baby bench. The lovely cross stitch / tapestry frame I received as a Christmas present so that should help things along.
9. Put together a capsule wardrobe for the rest of winter and put everything else into storage / a charity bag / fabric box / bin. I only have a tiny wardrobe so why oh why is it half full with summer things whilst my jumpers are in boxes. Not cool. Especially as I’m meticulous about keeping LS’s wardrobe full of only items in the appropriate size and season!
10. Put some of the skills I learnt at the Dream.Find.Do workshop into practice and straighten things out a little round here.