This means that there are plenty of things that are making me smile this month and I'm sure there will be a lot more after this blog is published. Here are just ten things making me feel happy:
2 - Last year I wanted to go to the opera and ballet more but never got around to it, partly because I was anxious about going on my own. I got gift vouchers for Leeds Grand Theatre for Christmas, so ordered a ticket to the ballet and also decided to make the most of my Opera North Under 30 discount so booked three operas for February. I'm totally fine with going on my own and can't wait now.
3 - I've started to notice how much my face shape is changing and how much better my skin is even with my PCOS medication - which is partly down to brilliant skincare products. I look in the mirror and I actually feel pretty and happy with the way I look. Instead of looking at myself and thinking about what I don't like, I'm now thinking about what I do and changing the way I view my body.
4 - After waiting for what seems like forever, I have managed to get my hands on two books that I have wanted to read since I knew they were being released (I ordered the Princess Diarist in December but it was out of stock). While I'm really sad that Carrie Fisher passed away last month, I can't wait to read this book. The same goes for Talking as Fast as I can, which looks fantastic.
5 - Rather than waiting until I've lost more weight to buy outfits that I want, purely because in the back of my head I'm thinking that I still can't wear them at my size, I am wearing whatever I want. This is why I finally bought the pencil dress I've been eyeing up from Collectif. I would never have even dared try this on this time last year but as soon as I put it on, I felt amazing. I can't wait to wear it to my company party on Friday now.
6 - After enjoying myself at Christmas, I am back to healthy eating and am enjoying the different meals I'm making. I'm trying to cook different things and use the recipes I've been saving for ages, which is really enjoyable, as well as tasty. Healthy eating really doesn't need to be boring.
7 - I've treated myself to a few little bit this months as they've made me happy and I'm not apologising. I fell in love with these Star Wars leggings in Primark and previously I would have left them as they wouldn't have fit. This time, however, they did fit so I took that as a sign that they needed to come home with me.
8 - Sadly I have no photos of the actual evening, but I started off the month by being social with the husband. We met some amazing people last year and I intend to see a lot more of them - especially now I have discovered how awesome Cards Against Humanity is. I've already arranged a babe date and plan on sorting outt a few more in the coming months.
9 - Two women I really admire liked a tweet of mine and it made me so happy. I love Ruby Wax and am currently reading her book A Sane New World. I also adore Lauren Graham and really want to be like Lorelai Gilmore when I'm a parent. I'm still so happy about this.
10 - Another of my New Year resolutions is to fill my drinks cabbinet with different types of gin. I'm doing pretty well with this one thanks to Christmas and my Craft Gin Box - which I'll be reviewing this month - and am loving having good quality gin, tonic and garnishes to choose from when I fancy a G&T. This is a small thing that is making me happy and, at the end of the day, that is the most important thing.