Living in Scotland, there is absolutely no excuse for not getting out into the wilderness for some fresh air. Being surrounded by such beautiful and varied landscapes will get you motivated and inspired for whatever project you’re working on- whether it’s for work or yourself.
Try the West Highland Way for an iconic challenging trek or the Isle of Iona with a trip out to Staffa for a weekend of relaxed wilderness.
Of course, the second way to adventure more, is to travel. Even if you can’t afford to go to Malaysia to visit the astounding Taman Negara National Park, or South America to see the incredible Easter Island, Europe has so much to offer for the outdoor adventurer.
Get yourself to the Plitvice Lakes in Croatia, it’s a popular destination and can be accessed from Zadar, so you don’t have to worry too much about getting lost. Another option, out of the many, is to plan a road trip in Norway from Bergen North to Trondheim. Among the many benefits of this trip, is the opportunity to spot seals and whales along with incredible sights of fjords and mountains, as well as wild camping legally along the way.
There are so many benefits to cycling, mainly the cardio and lowering your carbon footprint. Even if long cycles aren’t for you, biking to work is a great way to get some fitness into your busy lifestyle.
Pick yourself up a road bike and a helmet and get on the road. We know the prospect of cycling amongst crazy cyclist hating drivers, taxis and buses can be mildly terrifying. So take it slow, try some quiet roads or routes with cycle paths first. Considering going out in quiet times in cities, such as early morning or mid afternoon, is a great way to get a feel for road cycling.
This is an obvious one, but make sure you do something you really enjoy everyday. Most people are guilty of sitting in front of the TV for a quick dinner then not moving again, work is busy and days are fast. Start by picking a couple of different things that you enjoy, but need a bit of motivation to do. Whether it’s fitness, like yoga or running, or sitting with a good book or watching a great film, try to make sure you spend an hour a day using brain power for something you like to do.
If films are your thing then personally, I loved films set out in the wild last year, and there were a few! Two great independent ones came out in 2016; ‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ and ‘Captain Fantastic’. Both have surprising similarities, and are definitely worth a watch.
Sometimes things can become so hectic that we forget who’s most important in our lives. Everyone should make time in their busy schedules to have a coffee with a new or old friend, sometimes a quick text just won’t suffice.
Make time to see your grandparents and hear their stories, or head home for dinner when you can. With technology, their really is no excuse. You could have a skype coffee with that sibling that lives in Australia, or a facetime brunch with your friend who lives abroad. Even better, go and visit them!
This one seems obvious, but it’s still so important. There’s being aware of others and the world around you, and being more self aware.
We're going to keep more up to date with world news, and use a variety of sources to get a well rounded picture of political and social situations. Avoid news that is irrelevant, unreliable or sensationalist journalism. It’s also good to keep up with what’s happening in the areas that interest you most, whether it’s for work or just something that you want to learn more about.
Being more self aware is more difficult and takes a bit more effort. Now’s the time to learn what your flaws are and embrace them, adjust what you can if it’s holding you back or ask for some help if you need to. Also be aware of what you’re great at and be positive about those things, motivate yourself and make sure you are confident in yourself this year!
Finally, remember that New Year's resolutions are supposed to make you happier, so don't take on any that you know won't help you achieve that. Hopefully you’ve got a few ideas from this blog to help you achieve new goals this year, let us know what else you’re aiming for in 2017!
Buying Christmas beard gifts for the man in your life can be tricky no matter if they are your brother, boyfriend or dad, even the bearded ones.
However, if the guy has a beard, you can be certain that some beard care items and or some form of facial hair item will be loved and cherished way beyond Christmas time.
