Who do you want to be in 2023?

When I think about who I wanted to be, I used to think that meant a career. Did you want to be an astronaut, a builder, a doctor, a hairdresser, a scientist, a zoo keeper? Maybe you didn't know what you wanted to be. This conversation came up with my 5 year old, Arden. She had a dress up day at school last term and for weeks, she couldn't decide what to dress up as. I asked her why it was so hard to choose. And she said, "I'm 5, it's a big decision to make!" Arden is very literal and it seems I mislead her that choosing a costume for dress up was the same as choosing a lifetime career.

When I was younger, I wanted to be a journalist. I loved writing stories and thought this seemed like a great career. Then I remember being quite upset when Princess Diana died the way the media/paparazzi treated her. This made me shift my thinking to another career.

A family holiday to Canberra when I was in my early teens made me fall in love with our nation's capital. I saw the most beautiful building and decided I want to work there (not exactly knowing what it was at the time!) I was told it was the Attorney-General's Department and I decided I would write laws for the people of Australia. That seemed like a rewarding and important job that I could enjoy. Fast forward 10+ years, get through 2000 people applying and I was lucky to be one of 30 people doing the Graduate Program in 2007 at the Attorney-General's Department. Wow, did I feel blessed. And I really loved that job.

Fast forward again and I've embraced the world of small business and Pilates. And as I get older, I realise that a career is just a label, it's not WHO I am, it's WHAT I am.

In the simplest of terms, I want to be a person who is:

strong - in body and mind

kind - to my family, friends and volunteer my time to help others

healthy - physically and mentally.

We all know the last few years have been tough mentally. It's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of life and just survive. But I'm turning 40 this year and it's making me reflect on the past and think about what I want to change. Fitness has often been something that falls away when I'm busy, kids get sick, we go on holidays. You know the drill, I'm sure many of you can relate.

I know I have some clients (current and past) who have wanted abs and nice arms for 40. I'm with you - that's something I will try to help you with! And look, I wouldn't mind achieving this goal with you. But for me, it's the bigger picture. I don't want to experience back pain anymore - a few long car rides recently have reminded me that back pain can still pop up at times.

I also want to have lots of energy. I'm the mother of young kids so this seems like a pipedream at the moment. But with the right combination of exercise, sleep and nutrition, perhaps I can see some improvement in this area.

So I'm mixing it up this year. No long list of New Year's Resolutions (I know, it's a shock to me as well). It's simple - stick to the principles - STRONG, KIND, HEALTHY. I want my lifestyle and decisions to reflect these three points.

Have you given any thought to who you want to be in 2023? Can I help you achieve your goals?

See you in the studio in a few weeks, Wellspringers! I'm open again the week of 16 January.

Love Holly

xx