Bucket list

A new dawn

IT’S TIME TO DIVE INTO THE NEW YEAR AND GRASP CHANGE, WITH 22 THINGS TO EMBRACE IN 2022

WORDS ERIN MILLER

1Start a manifesting journal Put pen to paper and jot down your dreams and goals for 2022 in a manifesting journal. Don’t be afraid to visualise your highest self — dream big!

2Adopt a mix of fitness workouts

Lockdowns may have made maintaining a fitness routine difficult last year, so in 2022 it will be all about variety. “The reason variety is going to take a front seat is because lots of Aussies have had to self-motivate themselves to train at home, and doing the same workout by yourself at home gets old fast,” Flow Athletic trainer Ben Lucas says. He recommends doing 20 minutes of two different styles such as mixing a HIIT session with yoga.

3Sip sustainably Eco-conscious drink brands and sustainable winegrowing practices are on the rise in Australia. Spirit and wine companies, including Antipodes Gin Co and Notwasted, support practices such as becoming carbon neutral and reducing waste. Another reason to savour that top drop. 4 Grow your own food

Take a trip to the local nursery and stock up on supplies to plant your own vegie patch or install a bee hive in your own back yard. “The resurgence of the good old compost bin and worm farms has really shown there is a renewed interest in investing in sustainable farming and food practices,” nutritionist, naturopath and The Wellness Group founder Madeline Calfas says. “When it comes time to dispose of your waste, compost what you can and reduce the amount of food waste that goes to landfill.”

5Download the Calm app and pop on an evening story read to you by celebrities such as Harry Styles and Matthew McConaughey. The stories are a blend of tales and music to aid you with finding your way to a deep slumber.

6 LEARN TO BUDGET

We might have spent less during the pandemic, but now it is time to learn how to spend your money wisely. Accountant and LCI Partners managing partner Gerry Incollingo believes 2022 will be the year of the savvy shopper. “I believe these lockdowns have made us think twice about buying items due to the inconsistencies in being able to work or not,” he says. His top savings tips are to save 20 per cent of your wage each pay day, invest your money in options such as shares or property bonds and delete apps that you know are spending traps for you.

7

Look after our coastlines

Volunteer your time and help keep our waterways and coastlines plastic-free by getting involved with a beach clean-up. Organisations such as Sea Shepherd and Clean Up Australia arrange events and campaigns across the nation.

Fresh is best

8Join a truffle hunt

Pull on a pair of gumboots when the winter weather arrives and get foraging. Truffle hunts are held at various cool climate locations across Australia, with the season running from June until August. The hunt usually entails following a truffle dog, whose sense of smell unearths the edible fungi from the soil. Best of all, you can take the truffles home when the hunt is over and add some extra flavour to your cooking.

9Eat oysters straight from the source

Devour fresh oysters on the Coffin Bay Farm Tour in South Australia. Guests are able to wear waders in the shallow ocean waters as they view the oyster farm before tucking into some freshly shucked oysters.

10Create a 'pick your own' fruit calendar

Pack the kids into the car and visit the local producers in your area when fruit is in season. Not only will it taste amazing being straight from the source, but it will also teach children about the importance of eating what is in season.

11

Make the regional move

The pandemic and lockdowns have made us all evaluate our living conditions. A recent report by McCrindle Research found 60 per cent of Australians who don’t currently live in a regional area have considered moving to one. The key benefits are seen as peace and quiet, a simpler lifestyle and affordability. Covid-19 has also been the catalyst for many being able to work from home, making the regions more viable. So if you’re considering a tree change, now is the time to strike.

12 MIX IT UP

Work out with The Class by Taryn Toomey (theclass.com). The digital studio offers a mat-based exercise program that blends elements of yoga, pilates, dance and mindfulness, accompanied by a curated playlist. There are live classes you can join, or pick a class based on your mood.

13 Prince of pages One of the most highly anticipated books of 2022 is

the tome Prince Harry has been writing. The British royal, who is now based in California with his wife Meghan Markle and their two children, has been writing what his publisher has called an “intimate and heartfelt memoir”.

16

Turn heads with afterdark dressing With activewear dominating our wardrobes for so long, this year we’ll be raring to get back to evening glam. Some of the biggest trends from the catwalk include lingerieinspired tops and sequins. It’s time to sparkle.

14 Get out to the countryside and take the family to a farm stay. Patting baby animals and breathing in fresh, crisp air will help to give you a mental reset.

15 Try the new keto approach

Bestselling author Dr Michael Mosley’s latest book, The Fast 800 Keto, has a new approach to the ketogenic diet, which is high in fat and protein and low in carbs. He describes the Fast 800 Keto approach as a “combined program for accelerated weight loss” that brings together intermittent fasting with a keto diet. Dr Mosley says recent studies show a keto diet can produce significant weight loss and other benefits for long-term health, including lowering your risk of heart disease, improving insulin resistance and preventing type 2 diabetes.

The Fast 800 Keto by Dr Michael Mosley, published by Hachette Australia, RRP $29.99.

17 Watch The First Lady

One of the most anticipated series for 2022 is The First Lady, starring Viola Davis as Michelle Obama. Gillian Anderson and Michelle Pfeiffer will also star as former US First Ladies Eleanor Roosevelt and Betty Ford in the series, which will depict the women who occupied the East Wing.

18 Brighten up your walls and support a local artist by investing in a piece of art. When selecting an artwork, consider how it makes you feel and what mood you want to set in the room it will be placed.

19Find your inner calm with in-pool yoga There is yoga in heated rooms, yoga on paddle boards and now you can do yoga in the swimming pool. SwimWorld in Glen Waverley, Melbourne, has created a class called Aqua e Vita, which combines a meditation session with in-pool yoga movements and mindful swimming.

Be on trend

20Go graphic Overhaul your

make-up routine with a splash of bold colour on your eyes. Whether it is two-toned neon eyeliner as seen at the recent Versace catwalk show or dramatic fluorescent eyeshadow, it’s time to go bold or go home.

21Wear the new plait

Plaits aren’t just for the kids. The hair trend was seen on catwalks such as Erdem and Altuzarra at recent fashion shows, and celebrities Addison Rae and Hailey Bieber have also embraced the trend.

22Try the wolf cut hairstyle

Be bold and try a new cut. The wolf cut hairstyle is kind of like the new mullet — think shorter with volume at the front of your head, then longer with tousled layers at the back. It’s already been seen on the likes of Billie Eilish and Debby Ryan.