Tuesday 7 February 2017

Goal progress in January

I thought it might fun to include how I'm getting on with my goals. When I've read the progress of others in fitness or other goals, I find it highly motivating. Let me know what you think as I might do them quarterly rather than monthly.

1. Passing my driving test







The progress is there. I have already paid for 10 hours, and done 6 hours of driving lessons. I am making great progress. I've noticed more confidence leaving the roundabout and knowing when to go, which is my ultimate fear. I really hope to keep progressing. It is great since it's the first time even been driven around Ipswich. However also noticed new instructors have different priorities and notice new things you're bad at.

2. Go abroad

































I really hope to do this, but this is not a priority just yet. I think I may visit a friend who lives in Norway now, but then again it is more costly to visit than to get there. Seen flights for under £100 return but know it is expensive to buy and do things!

3. See at least 3 gigs this year





















I've looked a little, but not seen much I fancy. I'm booked to see comedian, Jon Richardson in September and had hoped to see Ed Sheeran. Unfortunately I couldn't get tickets, but hopeful I will think of other performers to see.

4. Start yoga again












I've looked into local classes, but am nervous to start any alone. I have also tried looking at few youtube videos. For anyone else wanting to try yoga, I noticed a fab post published by Saccharine-soul. I've actually tested a few of the routines suggested here. Although I'm not a beginner, I'm not confident enough to move onto intermediate or more advanced.

5. Do a charity challenge
















I've enquired about doing the Great Wall of China in aid of the British Red Cross. I love how you will help rebuild it too. However I know the work it took to fundraise for climbing Kilimanjaro and had the resources there: supportive work colleagues, uni support, friends to attend events, and just don't  have that locally.

I'm also considering trying an abseil again. I've seen an abseil for the local hospital which sounds so fun. Anyone who knows me will know how gutted I was to have let down a favourite charity, when I couldn't take on the 160ft abseil off forth rail bridge. This was despite doing a 10,000 ft skydive, a bungee jump and climbing Kilimanjaro in the past. I feel doing this will really boost my confidence again. It will also be something fantastic to really look forward to. I fear I may have an anxiety attack again, but doesn't feature my ultimate fear of bridges.

6. Pursue creative hobbies
I've gone to both a jewellery making and scrapbooking classes. From this, I'm unsure I will try this again as the necklace broke to pieces and didn't make it to feature in this post. I've done scrapbooking before and learnt some new techniques, and would love to go again.


















I'm proud that I actually stitched the gold circle...


















































I still want to learn to make bracelets, but going to look at Youtube to learn that one!

7. Lose weight

































I'm really happy with my progress in this. I've had compliments from family members on the look of my skin and how much healthier I look, which is obviously a huge confidence boost. Most of all, I love the boost to my energy and how much happier this has had me.

This has only been from small steps - walking at least 30 minutes a day, drinking lots of water (admittedly I did this well already), adjusting my attitude to portion sizes and actually eating more fruit/veg. Instead of thinking, "oh, I've got a few more of these I might as well finish", I just stop eating when I'm full. Instead of cutting out sweets or chocolate, I eat what I fancy and then don't crave it as much. I've even started craving things like crisps or cheese, which is so unlike me! 

8. See more films from my list

















If you like my facebook page, you will have seen that I received lots of DVDs and watched them. Please refer to the review on the films I watched here. This month, I've seen 12 off my list and 13 in all. I hope I can beat this in February as I've watched more DVDs than my usual Netflix.

9. See friends more

































There are no plans yet, but this is important to me with many friends living in Scotland. With the closest friend being about 400 miles away, it is essential and especially with friends getting married, having babies and getting promotions, not seeing them as often can feel like missing out.

10. Walk dogs more





















I have been walking the dogs on almost every day off, and actively making the effort to spend more time with them.Cuddles are the best!

11. Do more in spare time





















This one is still very much in progress. At the moment, my spare time consists of walking dogs, writing for this blog, promoting the blog, reading and anything that might come up. That doesn't sound hugely exciting, but definitely been feeling more positive.

12. Keep writing





















I've not looked into alternative ways to write outside of this blog, but definitely want to. I'm really not sure where to begin on that one!

13. Read more














Already I feel like I'm making great progress on this. Most times I read no more than 4 or 5 books in a year. This month alone, I've already read 6 books. Please refer to this post about the books I've read here. I'm looking forward to reading more as part of the Popsugar challenge as discussed here.

How has your January been going? Any tips for me to continue to tick off my goals this year?

118 comments:

  1. Some great goals here. Good luck with your driving test x

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    1. Thank you - just keen to book it and pass 😊 x

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  2. We've got a lot of goals in common! Go abroad and lose weight are on my list too.

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    1. Good luck too! Maybe you can give me tips? X

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  3. It's great you are making progress in your driving lessons and hopefully soon you will be booking and passing your test. Your scrapbooking pages look very nice and you've made great progress in your film and reading goals!

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    1. I'm hopeful! I am getting there but new instructor just is very thorough lol thank you, hoping to keep up more hobbies x

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  4. Great goals :) I have been driving for 20 years and still cannot do roundabouts right lol. If you are looking for writing inspiration you should check out Tumblr. There are a lot of blogs on there that have writing challenges and inspiration posts to get you started. I enjoy a lot of the prompts on there to get ideas from. There are also a few apps that are kind of fun to get writing prompts from. :)
    Good luck on moving forward on your goals!

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    1. Thanks 😊 Not on tumblr and wanting to do more writing outside of the blog x

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  5. i think you are doing really well with your goals and when I had driving lessons I also struggled with roundabouts, I hated them x

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  6. It sounds like you're doing really well. One tip I would give you is to give yourself a definite number to aim for. The more definite a goal is, the easier it is to achieve because you know exactly what you're aiming for. For example, I aim to watch 100 movies a year and read at least 30 books (can you tell I like movies and books?), and I write them all down in a list in my notebook so I know exactly what progress I'm making.

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    1. Good plan. Well doing book challenge which is 40 books. At the moment I'm aiming to get like 10 DVDs a month if nothing on Netflix or tv. That will be roughly 120 for the year x

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  7. Great goals sweetie!! I hope the best for you :-)

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  8. Great goals and I have no doubt you will smash them all. Losing weight is top of my list for this year, I just need my mouth stitched together lol x

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    1. Haha I'm the same. Trying to not guilt myself as much x

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  9. So cool and funny pictures! thanks for sharing!

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  10. I think you're doing an amazing job in achieving your goals - keep going! x

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  11. Start yoga is on my list as well. It's just hard to make yourself go to the first session. I have a class booked for this evening but I want to cancel it!!
    https://healthyandpsyched.com/

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  12. These are great goals! I've really been trying to get back into yoga myself. It always makes me feel so great!

    Xo,

    Megan at Lush to Blush

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    1. Same! I definitely need to join a class or do something as great form of meditation for me too x

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  13. Well done on the progress on your driving lessons and I would definitely recommend trying yoga, it is great for mindfulness xx

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  14. Good luck with the driving lessons. Hopefully you won't need to many before you can do your test. It makes life so much easier when you can drive.

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    1. Yeah hate learning. Just eager to pass already! X

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  15. Well done on being focused on your goals! It's refreshing to see after most new year resolutions were broken. You're looking fabulous in that selfie too, keep it up! Your progress is looking fantastic��

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  16. good luck for your driving test...i failed one and am still learning :P

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    1. It's harder than ever imagined. I failed last March x

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  17. I'm not a big fan of sitting down and reading, but love audio books. Quite frankly, it's hard to get time to sit down and read with 2 small kids always around, but audio books can easily be fit into my schedule. I should make listening to more a goal for myself.

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    1. Audiobooks make it incredibly easier to fit with busy schedules 😊 x

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  18. I think you're doing such an amazing job to reaching your goal. Congrats on your progress! Good luck on your driving test.

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    1. Hope I pass soon and thank you for the kind words 😊 x

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  19. I need to do this for my goal setting too! I love the go abroad, be creative and go on charity events. Cheers to a productive and fruitful year ahead! -Anosa

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  20. Good luck with your driving lessons I've yet to learn and I can't imagine how terrifying it would be to start with!

    I love the idea of doing a scrap book and I hope you have the chance to take up the yoga class. One of my goals this year is to run a 10k for cancer research I just have to give birth first, but it's a great motivation to lose the baby weight.

    All the best for your goals :)

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    1. It is terrifying lol. Been learning for while and started with an instructor who just shouted which wrecked my nerves! Good luck that's quite the challenge 😊 Yeah it's a range of goals. I like having lots so don't feel bad if I don't achieve every one x

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  21. For just one month you have made a lot of progress, focus on the great things you have done and not the things you've missed out on x

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  22. Some great goals I'm sure when you pass your driving test visiting people who live in Scotland will be easier it will be like a road trip too which is always fun x

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    1. Dunno if I could brave that long journey but love the idea of exploring where I live more. Haven't seen much of Suffolk and relying on buses just now x

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  23. You've got some really great goals here and it seems like you're really working well at them! Don't feel nervous about joining a yea class though - it's so much fun and everyone is so busy with themselves that no-one is looking what you're up to!

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    1. It's not even that, just the actually walking in and not knowing anyone lol x

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  24. It looks like you are doing great with your goals. Don't be nervous about going to yoga alone - yogis are very friendly and it's a great way to meet people.

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    1. Good point 😊 I will need to definitely give it a shot x

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  25. I started yoga this year and love it. Good luck with the driving lessons. Jo x

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    1. Yeah only started a little but keen to really get back to it. Aww thank you 😊 x

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  26. Sounds like you're making some great progress with your goals.

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    1. Aww thank you - just been first steps so far 😊 x

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  27. I think you are doing pretty well with your goals and it is still so early in the year.

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    1. Just hope I keep it up. All small steps to achieving them 😊 x

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  28. Fab start to the year! driving will be sooo worth it when you pass-the freedom is amazing! I'm trying to lose weight to and love your small steps approach! Cat Hooper

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    1. Doing it slowly means I'm not miserable and have been surprised how much better I feel just from cutting down! Really can't wait to pass my driving most of all 😊 x

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  29. I am hoping to pass my driving test this year too. Had loads of lessons, but I am still quite nervous, which is holding me back

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    1. Pretty much the same. I had a 8 month gap after failing my test but was learning from October 2014! X

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  30. Sounds like you're doing well so far! I had plans to read so many books this year but I just haven't found the energy required yet, hopefully soon. Can't wait to hear how you get closer to hitting your goals as the year progresses xx

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    1. Plenty of time! Year has only begun 😊 Thank you! Hope you're doing well lovely xx

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  31. Wow your doing pretty awesome!!! Sticking to your goals is always good and showing people that your sticking with your goals just motivates others to follow their dreams and goals so thank you for sharing your progress :-)

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    1. Yeah I always find it motivating to read others 😊 x

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  32. Some lovely goals and you've made a good start on them. Good luck achieving them x

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  33. This is great! I have got 17 goals for 2017 so I need to do an update when I can. x Love yours x

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    1. Like that - 17 for 17! Aww glad you enjoyed reading. Remember watching your YouTube of your goals. Hope you manage to learn a language! X

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  34. Gosh so many goals and it sounds like you are doing well. Good luck with those driving lessons. Mich x

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    1. There are more but some were too personal for me to add! I really hope I pass but feeling very positive x

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  35. Good on you for booking more driving lessons. Stick in and you'll pass. You're essentially learning how to pass a test because once you're out on the open road on your own, thats when the real learning starts xxx

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    1. I honestly hope it makes all the difference! I hear that and honestly be nice to not have someone making me jump every time I'm 1 mile over the speed limit lol x

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  36. Such a great list! Good luck in particular with the driving!

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    1. Thank you! It's the one that I hope I achieve most of all x

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  37. Love this it's keeps the goals fresh and relevant, good luck with driving and i wanted to see Ed Sheran too :(

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    1. I like reading about aspirations - mine or otherwise! I was gutted. He doesn't even seem to be going many places! X

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  38. These are great goals! I would like to start yoga again too. Good luck with your driving!

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    1. Thank you! It is slowly getting better. Yoga is fab as helps with the mind, relaxing hobby and is great exercise I find too x

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  39. Good on you making progress on driving. A very nice list - let hope you keep striking goals. xx

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    1. Thank you 😊 I hope I can keep on track and achieve everything especially my Driving xx

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  40. You've made some really good progress on some of these!

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    1. Thank you 😊 hope it's been interesting to read! X

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  41. Looks like you're doing a great job and have an awesome goals!

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  42. What a fantastic set of goals! So many to choose from too, and I have some of those on my list as well, such as travelling and reading more. Good luck in all your endeavours x

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    1. Aww thank you 😊 hope you achieve everything you wish for too! Be interested in hearing where you end up travelling and what amazing outfits you pick out! 😬 x

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  43. Great set of goals! We'd like to get outside more and see more of the UK as opposed to going abroad this year...good luck with achieving them x

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    1. I never went abroad as a kid which probably made me want to travel more, but I was lucky as got to see much more of UK. Visiting many northern England, Scottish and now southern England destinations! There is so much beauty in our country which we often take for granted. Thank you 😊 x

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  44. Some great goals here! Good luck with achieving them
    I hope to go to more events this year

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    1. Thank you 😊 hope you do too, be fun to read over on your blog 😬 x

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  45. I love reading goal post because it makes me more motivated to complete my goals! Especially my fundraising for Kili!

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    1. Good to read 😊 Such an exciting goal for you this year! X

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  46. Going abroad is definitely some of my biggest goals this year! Sounds like you had quite the month :)

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  47. Lots of very focused goals! I can't say that I set any this January but I would love to get back into a normal running routine. It's just so hard this time of year!

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    1. Thank you hope you enjoyed reading and hope you get settled into a routine you like 😊 x

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  48. Good luck with your goals. I hope you smash everyone of them.

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  49. Still yet to do my goals but hey yours looks inspiring, driving take it slow and hold on in there x

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  50. Looks like you've got a great list of goals for the year and you're making some great progress. Losing weight is my main focus this year, and I'm seeing Jon Richardson this year too

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    1. Look forward to reading your posts. Keep slipping up but slowly will get there! Ooh I'm excited but got a while to wait lol x

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  51. I want to start yoga too. I was hoping to start during winter but the time passes and I didn't do anything in yoga direction... new time frame - spring :-)

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  52. Yoga is my one this year, used to do it loads and for some weird reason I just stopped!

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    1. I got into it end of 2015 but then moved and couldn't find a class I liked x

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  53. You're doing great Jodie! Definitely a lot better than I've been doing with my goals LOL. I REALLY want to start driving lessons again this year, but guess what? I've not booked any yet. After reading this I feel motivated to ring round and find an instructor tomorrow. Eek!

    Louise x

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    1. It makes you feel better when have deadline. My theory runs out! X

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  54. Ahh I hope you make it to those three gigs!

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  55. Good luck with the driving test! And I started picking up yoga again as well, after a long break because of the holidays, sickness and work. It's so nice and relaxing :)

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  56. I love your goals to keep writing and read more! Don't despair at not finding more gigs to go to - some of my best gigs have been really last minute, unexpected events.

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    1. Just never hear of last minute ones haha usually have to book almost a year in advance x

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  57. You've got some great goals, I'm also hoping to visit Norway soon! Good luck with them all xo

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    1. Aww thank you! If you beat me to it, you'll have to say where is best to go x

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  58. Good luck with your driving test! I probably had about 30 hours or so before I passed but it was totally worth it so I felt fully confident when taking the test!

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  59. Well done with moving forward with your goals! And good luck with your driving!

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  60. Well done for making progress on your driving lessons. I need to start mine back up again as I have been seriously slacking.

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    1. It is one of the hardest things i've done, but will be so worth it when I do it :)

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