New goal for 2018 - NOT diet/fitness related!

I got very bored last year and fed up of cliques at the local U3A. I toyed with the idea of leading my own group as I used to teach adults. I started a Memoir Writing group and it has been such fun, although I'd never tried to teach it before ( actually you can't really teach it you have to be more a facilitator). My goal for 2018 is to become more proficient at encouraging participants to set down their life stories. Everybody has something unique to tell: I have learned such a lot from my group and had my world view challenged - in a good way. I have been far too judgmental and unforgiving in the past, disappointed in our lack of nobility, but I've been chastened and become more accepting of my own and others' shortcomings. All through writing about ourselves.

"50 book challenge" did it last year and got to 52. To take gd swimming more often so she becomes proficient, she's at the flailing around stage at the moment. To take her and her brother on a steam train in the summer, he's just discovered Thomas the Tank. To visit more NT properties to justify our membership. To redecorate the lounge. To continue with 25 minute one to one yoga sessions on YouTube which I was doing but lapsed over Christmas and haven't got going again.

Get back on my skis with grandchildren before second knee replacement.

Learn to play Djembé- as I was given one for Christmas.

get back to learning Italian (was doing A'Level when we moved- and not done any again, apart from hols in Italy).

Have more faith in myself.
Finnish unfinished projects.
Drink more water
Walk or dance an hour every day.
Clear the attack
No more alcohol.

A thread on GN made me decide to aim for easily achievable 'suggestions' instead of 'resolutions'. So last year I aimed to use up the creams and cosmetics I already had before buying any more and I've opened some gorgeous bubble baths, moisturisers, perfumes etc which were previously unused presents. Still a few to go but really enjoying the generous gifts and I've saved a lot of money too. This year I'm going to start a diary, not daily - too much pressure - but just as and when I want to write something. I kept encouraging the DC to keep a record of all the positive things that happen to them, the tribulations they overcome, as well as all their remarkable milestones in life. I like the idea of recording social history too. Then I thought, better to practice what I preach, I could write my own diary just for my own pleasure. After all, I could have years left yet .... maybe .

Thanks CaroL10-have not heard about Breeze so will check it out?

Barmeyoldbat, you are so brave! Did you master roller skates as a child? Lots of my friends had them but I never did. I never had a bike either but I learned on friends' bikes. I don't care if people stare. You have inspired me to try again with blades! They are in the garage somewhere. Watch this space!

At long last started a German beginners'class - have been ashamed of myself for years not being able to speak to German friends in their language when they are so fluent in English.
Had done German 'O'level decades ago and thought I had forgotten it all - but lo! some of it is coming back, and I feel really encouraged to go on.....

I must finish that 'crazy' patchwork quilt I started with all guns blazing last year.
It's high time I tidied up my 'sewing' room which is in an appalling mess.
I've got a ukelele but I make the most awful racket. Maybe this year I'll improve but I wouldn't put any money on it.

Lizzyp..... I always, always wanted a pair of roller blades and when I left work they asked me if there was anything I wanted, yes says me rollerblades and that is what I got. I have a lovely photo of me all dressed up at my leaving do with my roller blades on. I have spent many an hour just going up and down the prom and don’t care about people staring!

Happilyretired123 I learned to ride a bike as an adult. I was about 51 I think. I mastered it, but taking corners was still difficult (I had a tendency to ride into bushes). Then I decided that, since there are lots of adult tricycles around, it would be much more fun to ride one of those. So I bought myself one. My beautiful Pashley bike has been standing in the garage ever since!

I started learning Spanish last year. This years goal is to become more fluent and improve my pronunciation.

Ukuleles are very popular at the moment, marionk - I rather fancy having a go at it.

6 months ago I started learning to play the ukulele. I have always wanted to play a musical instrument but my parents did not feel it was worthwhile and I never thought about it after mt teens. I can’t read music but you don’t need to to play a uke. I am also trying to learn to paint via YouTube

To Happilyretired123 and anyone else thinking about cycling in 2018 - would really recommend you look up Breeze bike rides supported by British Cycling and sponsored by HSBC. Sorry, only know about Breeze rides which are for women only but there are plenty of mixed group rides on the British Cycling website. Breeze leaders near me in W London organise sessions for new and less confident riders that start in the park and move out to roads as your confidence grows. I did one of those sessions ( I could ride but wobbly and unsure) and now join in longer rides. The Breeze leaders ( known as champions) are always supportive, friendly and helpful and so are the other women who go on Breeze rides - Ibreakky enjoy them.

Yes I did the piano thing 2 years ago and continue to teach myself...playing isn’t great but the pleasure of being able to sight read musical notes is the just the best! On December 27 2017 I had my last cigarette. I planned the date in advance and I am pleased to say it is now 4 weeks and feel no desire to smoke after 51 years! It is my goal not to go back to being a slave to nicotine... ever!

My challenge to myself this year is to say 'yes' to new experiences. I aim to do one new thing per week for the whole year, so 50 or so new activities. It could be going to a new destination, cooking a new recipe, trying a new food, a new sport, game etc. So far I have joined a new yoga class and a stretch class, I have booked to go to Singapore. I don't have a list of things, I just intend to embrace and seek out new things as I go along.

Yes to ride a bike which I never learnt to do when I was younger. I made a rather wobbly start last year then gave up but determined to try again in the spring. Anyone else learnt to cycle as an adult?

I have set a goal of going to Portuguese lessons, and we have started from scratch, eg irregular vowels, consonants etc OMG what have I done? My teacher seems to think I'm doing well but I know I'm struggling.
But as I live in Portugal I feel it is only polite to try to speak the language.
The other day my friend and I went for lunch at our favourite cafe and I tried to order our food in Portuguese, were upon the waiter said in English " I haven't got time for this I'm too busy" That was me shoot down in flames then. O well upwards and onwards.?

I have started a Pilates Class, a challenge for me as I have various health problems but I'm enjoying it & hope to continue as I feel it is doing me good.

My goal for 2018 is to get all the information and notes ready, so that my daughter will not need to go looking for papers and certificates when she needs to arrange my funeral. She did give me a book called Dead as a Dodo.? Now what? I hope to have done it by the end of this year.

To learn to say no, politely but firmly. My tendency to say yes to everything gets me into all sorts of things which I don't really want to do!

After having successfully redecorated and refurbished my house from top to bottom for the past eighteen months I have to deal with the residue and really difficult parts some of which I cannot do myself e.g.the kitchen. The time estimates and comments I've had from various suppliers beggar belief in variation. As a result I've back burnered it but it's very frustrating. The other chore which I can do myself is to get rid of all the extra stuff I have 'tidied' from my improvements and I now have one room which is a virtual warehouse. Much of this is far too good to bin but it's definitely a self inflicted nightmare which I have to deal with. Ugh! I know I need to wait for the better weather to give me the essential get up and go but I sincerely hope when we're airing this topic next year I'll have ticked both boxes. Wonder what will be on the hit list then?!!

I set myself a challenge at New Year, back in 2000, to get away on my roller blades. My children were keen help me. I achieved stumping across the front grass to the lamp post outside our house and clinging on for dear life. That's my progress so far but I'm still working on it. I just need to find the boots (somewhere in the garage) and clean eighteen years worth of cobwebs off them. Maybe my new challenge should be to clear out my hell hole of a garage. Hang on though....hasn't that one been going longer than the roller blades...hmm...maybe I should set myself a target to set myself achievable targets!

Having reached the age I am today I would not push my luck .My policy now is if you really want to achieve something go for it. Don't leave it for tomorrow as there might not be a tomorrow.