Set yourself achievable goals for 2022

In her column this week, The Good Life, Gemma Good has some advice for all those making new year resolutions...

I’m delighted to say I had a brilliant Christmas at home with my family. After a completely unnecessary (but so worth it) trip to Edinburgh last week, I was so nervous I wouldn’t make it home. Honestly, I think I imagined the worst case scenarios; that restrictions would change, that my Covid test result would be positive or that the busy airport would mean I would miss my flight home.

For anybody wondering, all I did was book a PCR Fit to Fly test (there were no antigen test appointments left) with Express Test. I got tested the day before I left at 12pm and the result was back at the same time the next day. I filled out a passenger locator form and uploaded my proof of vaccination. Tests alone for the trip cost about €105, so do consider this before you book anything.

Also do a little research on trips and dining, as I found a lot of places were booked up. Despite not having anything planned, I had an amazing time. The Christmas markets were top class, with foods like German sausages, churros, crepes, stews, salmon, mini pancakes, chips on sticks, a massive sweet booth and moonshine. I was curious to try this, ‘Moonshiners’ was always on the Discovery Channel when I was younger, documenting the lives of people who make the liquor. I tried the apple and spice one, I was raging I couldn’t bring some home in my carry on. The Edinburgh Gin festival was also in full swing with live music and several different gin infusions to try from, even warm G & T, which I highly recommend.

I made it home on Wednesday night, taking Thursday to finish off my Christmas shopping. I got some of my friends tickets to the Ulster v Munster game in Thomond Park in January for Christmas. I needed a few people in my corner sporting the red and white jersey, as all the girls from college are from Munster. We had planned a night out in the city afterwards, most definitely hitting Flannery’s. However, the game was cancelled due to covid restrictions, meaning I was tasked with finding new Christmas presents. I love spending money on experiences rather than physical gifts, in the long run I feel like you will remember them more. Anyway, I got everybody sorted!

Christmas day went down as it usually does. We opened presents and prepared enough food to feed the whole of Ireland. I spent the day binge watching season two of Emily in Paris, only taking a break to watch the Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas Special. Usually I find Christmas quite boring but, this year, it was really nice to have everyone in the one room together.And just like that it’s officially that time of year again where nobody knows what to do with themselves. Usually this is when people whinge about calories, all their ‘sins’ over Christmas, the amount of alcohol they’ve consumed and how their New Year’s resolutions are going to make up for it all. I dread all the ‘new year new me’ posts. Instead, I would advise people to set realistic goals. I know in my household the ‘junk’ (sweets, crisps, chocolate, etc) would all be thrown out in the New Year. We’ll be out walking every evening in our high vis jackets and there’ll be no stopping us (for at least three weeks anyway).I read an analogy before about brushing your teeth and it really stuck with me. You brush your teeth for two minutes twice per day. It’s a short time, very little commitment but, if you stick to it, your teeth will be in good condition. Like brushing your teeth, when making a resolution remember small daily habits will give your desired results.

Wishing everybody all the best for 2022!

* Gemma Good is from Killeshandra and a second year journalism student in University of Limerick.

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From Galway to Edinburgh