new resolutions — All Posts — Parry Ray in Harmony

Ok, I don’t know about you, but it takes me a few weeks to settle into a New Year so this week I am starting to get my 2020 groove on.

I have been thinking a lot about the potential this year holds. And I am excited for it. If you read my last post (My 2019) you will know last year was a big one for me. But I have decided this is not a year for a list of resolutions. I’m not massively into them to be honest. I have made them in the past and even written about them on my blog but they have always been about creative or fitness goals, or routine led things and often led to a tick box type audit of my life which is really not me and feels a little disingenuous.

Sure I have some festive flubber I’d like to lose and I’m not going to pretend that I don’t love achieving things, I do, - new music, successful tour etc. I started writing a couple songs today and I can’t tell you how fufiling that was…But I am at my happiest when I am joyful and sharing that joy. Might sound silly and overly simplistic but this is my overriding emotion. If Meghan Trainor is all about the bass..I'‘m all about the joy :) (!!!)
So why am I telling you this? Because I want to be clear on what I want to share with you this year. I want to show you more of me than before and I want to radiate as much joy as I can whilst doing that. I have always predominantly used my social media as an artist and that’s not going to change. Everything I share will be tied to me as a creative and sharing my passions and interests with you. And if there is something you want to know about my music, my interests, my inspirations - let’s start talking. I want to share things that you are interested in.

There may still be the odd personal post but only if it’s relevant. I’m not a public ranter or whinger, I’d rather be quiet in my own private space if I’m in a bad mood. I know some people feel social media is curated in a contrived way and I have been thinking about this. I feel there are many different ways in which people use social media, and maybe this is something to tackle in another post. For me, I want to make a positive impact in my small way and hopefully put a smile on your face; so If I am angry or pissed off - I don’t feel I need to put to any negative energy out there.

But if I need help or feel something is important to share I will....so this is beginning to sound like a resolution (!!) So if this is one, it’s this - moving forwards, my joy is non-negotiable - tuning into it, nourishing it, pouring into my songs and creativity and sharing it with you. I am unapologetically led by my heart in all I do and am at my best when I feel my way through life, so that’s what I’ll be doing this year x

Aaaaaargh!!!!I can’t quite believe it is the middle of January already - 2017 is in full flow and so far so good. I know loads of people who are not crazy about the New Year, but I love it - fresh starts, clean slates and new plans.

This year I was struggling with resolutions - so I decided to look some of my habits and fine-tune them. I have dubbed 2017 as my year of self-improvement and living life to the full (!!)… I’ve written it down now – so there is no going back!

Here are some habits I want to improve this year:

1. STOP MULTI-TASKING.

I don’t know about you but I am often juggling more than one thing at a time. Multitasking can be instinctive as life is busy and many of us have almost programmed ourselves to think it’s the best way to get “stuff” done. But it can be detrimental. Of course, I am delighted when I juggle any number of things and they neatly end up as they should - but more often than not, I end up scrabbling around and not putting all my attention into one thing at a time and everything takes longer. So this year I am going to be more methodical and enjoy each separate task, whatever it may be.

2. LIVING IN THE MOMENT.

One of the key phrases of my adult life, and I am a big advocate of this. I tell friends and family to enjoy and savour the present – but I am not good at practising what I preach. I am great planner so I am always ready for the future. And there are times when this is really useful but the trouble is, the present moment can get lost and that’s a shame. So, I have promised myself I am not going to do that anymore.

3. FITNESS GOALS.

This year I plan to be stronger, fitter and a little leaner by the end of the year. But my main fitness goal is to stop weighing myself. A lot of us judge ourselves by the number on the scale and if it isn’t favourable, well I don’t know about you – but I can be pretty hard on myself. So in the spirit of improving and being kinder to myself - I’m going to stop. I guess if you like how you look in the mirror and your clothes fit well – what bearing does the number have?

4. LET IT GO.

I’m rubbish at this one. But I have decided to tackle it head on. Sometimes things don’t go your own way – the balance between knowing when to keep trying and knowing when to let go is a tricky one. I personally hate giving up or conceding defeat but in the long run, sometimes it can be better to cut your loses. Similarly, emotionally there is no benefit to holding onto negativity. The trouble with me is I am like an elephant, I don’t forget a thing …but remembering everything is not always helpful. So I’m going to let it go.....hmm, I'm feeling pretty “Zen” already :)

5. And now for a conventional resolution – A NEW SKILL.

When I was younger I used to dance a lot – ballet, ballroom and a lots of Indian dance – but never Latin and I have always wanted to try. So last week, on a whim I decided to book a lesson. Turns out I have rhythm and I can kinda do it. Lesson one was the basics of cha cha cha and I’m going back for more this week. The pinnacle for me, will be if I can learn the tango…but it might be while…

Wow, getting that all down was really rather therapeutic – what about you – what are your plans for yourself this year?