Last year I made some new year resolutions. If you have been reading my blog for a while, you will know that I do this every year. It helps me feel that I’m growing as a person, and that I’m making the most of life. And I’ve always loved the idea of looking back, making conclusions, and planning for the future.

Last year, I was focusing on life balance.

I wasn’t sure that having a balanced life was actually possible – seeing that I was going to HAVE A BABY and be thrown into the role of new-motherhood for the third time again. I was also juggling 2 other small children and my life was all about nappies, groceries, dinner, picking up kids, and sports.

But I was determined to develop my great interest in fashion, to educate myself about the art and craft of it, and become part of the fashion scene – and it has been awesome! I’ve met a heap of cool, inspiring, weird and colourful people, tried on a LOT of great clothes, been to some fabulous parties, and then always glad to be home again.

So the whole idea of “Living a Balanced Life” has been a great big success for me, and I’ve never felt so relaxed and on top of things as I do now!

However, there was a point in all this balanced living when I didn’t enjoy feeling like a Chinese acrobat, finely balancing multiple, spinning plates on sticks… in a constant state of frantic anxiety. If any of the plates would slightly tip over, everything would collapse and fall, all hell would break loose! Disaster! Catastrophe! A huge mess! And I have to pick up all the pieces and start over.

I wasted so much of my energy on stress and regret.

In the end, I learned not to expect so much of myself, not to be so up-tight when things go wrong, and just enjoy life! I forgave myself quickly when I made mistakes. I focused on the things that were important. I planned. I got very organised. And everything else fell into place.

After that, balance just came naturally.

It’s a part of my everyday life, and now I invest in keeping it that way.

This year I’m looking for something MORE.

Something beyond balance.

Is that possible? Do I want too much?

I am a mother of three children, I write about lifestyle and fashion, I have a social life, I am active in my community, I love to indulge in my interests like cooking and photography,  I love to snuggle up with my husband and have long conversations…

Clearly, I have plenty to be satisfied with. I am a very blessed person.

When I remember the experience of my husband’s cancer, when I hear about the many tragedies in the world, and people who are suffering awful misfortune, and when I am reminded that my children are growing up so fast – I am inspired to make the MOST of my current good fortune.

This year I want to try something a bit different.

I want to live with style and spirit.

I freely admit that I don’t exactly know how to do this right now.

I do know that I want to live a magnificent, inspiring, motivated, productive and passionate life!

So I’m going to explore it over the next few months. And I’m zippy with excitement!

I hope you’ll join me on this journey!

And I hope this will somehow spark something in you that will make 2010 a wonderful year for you and the people you love!