#2014BloggerChallenge - Post One - New Years Inspiration

I signed up to the #2014BloggerChallenge quite a while ago and really enjoying meeting the other 407 bloggers who are taking part. I want to take this time to personally thank all of my new followers for their commitment to my blog; I have never seen such a sharp intake in readers over such a short period of time.

So here is post one.

Gabby writes:
"The topic for the first post of the #2014BloggerChallenge is going to be "New Years Inspiration" - the idea is that instead of writing new years resolutions on your blog, you share a quote or a picture that inspires you and you think will inspire others in the New Year."

I can't just decide on ONE picture, because I have so many things that are inspiring me for the new year. A lot of my inspiration probably won't inspire everyone, and to me, this post is more personal to me.

I can't really say Kelly Brook herself is an inspiration, but I certainly think her figure is lovely and very similar to me. I am a 'real' woman. I have boobs, a small waist and hips. I am never again going to fit in size 8 clothes because my curvy figure will never be that thin again, even when I weighed 9 stone I was a size 10 because of my curves. Recently, I've put on another half a stone, so my inspiration in the new year is to tone up and eat healthy, filling my body with nourishing foods that will help me to loose the extra half a stone (plus anymore that goes on over Christmas!). To me, it's not about me being a certain weight, but recently, my jeans are tight, I constantly feel tired, I'm eating lots of refined sugars and saturated fats and I feel very sluggish. (Photo, photo, photo, photo)

Having dropped out of college when I was 16, in 2012, at 26 years old, I decided to return to complete a level three BTEC. For the last 18 months, and for the next five, studying has been and still will be, my life. I absolutely love it and can't think of anything more enjoyable. Working in different jobs has made me appreciate even more so, the joys of studying. Sixteen hour weeks, lazy afternoons drinking coffee, learning so many new things, meeting new people - why would anyone want to do anything than study?! If you'd have asked me the same question at 16, obviously my answer would have been different, but now, I have learnt to appreciate studying which makes me even more inclined to succeed. I've applied to study a foundation degree at three universities in September 2014 and waiting to hear back on my UCAS application. I am so nervous, but so excited about what the future holds. (Photo)

In 2014, two of my lovely friends are getting married; one of my best friends, Samantha and my friend, Tom who lives in Australia with his Japanese fiance who are returning to the UK to get married. I am crazily excited about seeing them both get married - I have goose bumps now just thinking about their big days. I think weddings are very special occasions, and I feel honored to be invited to both of them. They both have amazing, but very different relationships, who inspire me. One day, I hope to follow in their footsteps and marry the man of my dreams, but for now, I am more than happy to be a guest at other's weddings. (Photo)

Please let me know if these quotes are your's and I will link them back to your site.

These quotes, along with many more and positive thinking will also be something that I look towards and that will inspire me in 2014. I try to be a very positive and upbeat person; I believe negative thinking brings negative things into your life and I believe that no matter how angry, annoyed and upset you get, life will always get better, things are just here to test you and to make you appreciate good things when they happen. You should walk away from anything or anyone that brings negativity into your life, especially strangers, because they're just not worth it. Surround yourself in life with positivity, with happiness, with joyful people on the same wavelength as you, and always approach things with a can do attitude. After all, if you believe you're able to do something, then why can't you? What's holding you back? Never say never - where there's a will there's a way. Believe in yourself.

Happy 2014 - I hope that it is an amazing year for all.

Laura xx