It's our last episode of the year so we decided to take a look back at the New Year's Resolutions we made back in series 1 on the pod in January and see whether we stuck to any of them or just totally ignored them.

Before we get started don’t forget to tag us on social media #AlexSimpsonFail and tell us whether you think Alex passed his driving test this week!

Resolution 1: Let it Go

Helen: 'I feel like I'm a lot better at letting go of bad rehearsal experiences, and even on a smaller scale bad notes or bars of music when I'm performing. I understand better now that there's no point getting hung up on those things, you just have to let them go. Having said that I still have massive issues with posting on social media so I didn't do so well there.'

Alex: 'I got a lot better at letting go of my worries in the rehearsal room. I was always so concerned about what my colleagues thought of me but over the course of the last year I've been able to let go of that worry and focus more on being in the actual moment.'

Resolution 2: Get It Done

Alex and Helen: 'As two people that love to control things, we both nailed this one. We love to plan our days, to schedule and organise our time and be as productive as possible.'

Helen: 'HOWEVER, that can have some set backs. You can get so used to creating your own ideal schedule that when someone else asks you to rehearse at a date/time you dislike, you really struggle to adapt. The scheduling has to be flexible.'

Resolution 3: Feed Yourself

Helen: 'Too easy. Just kidding! If I'm honest I don't think I was as successful with this as I wanted to be. It's been a really unusual year and so although I've found time for things I love such as reading, running, cooking, theatre, I haven't given myself to these things as mindfully as I probably should.'

Alex: I approached this resolution slightly differently - seeing it as making sure to make time for myself. I know now that in the morning I hate being in a rush to get the day started. I like to take my time when enjoying my breakfast and morning coffee. I see that process as a little ritual, something that I keep for myself and in that time I have the headspace to think, plan, consider. Making time for myself is really important.'

Alex and Helen: 'This resolution did make us both think about the fact that singing simply isn't the be all and end all for us. Yes, we absolutely love it and yes, we are passionate about this career but there are so many other things that are important to us and it's about being able to find the balance of those things.'

Resolution 4: Don't Make Resolutions

Helen: 'Har har. We're such losers. Having said that, I think this is something really important which I will take into 2022. The world is so unpredictable right now and your life can change overnight (I would know!) so try and adopt flexible goals that you can change and adapt as you see fit, rather than unrelenting resolutions.'

Alex: 'Resolutions don't have to be about looking at the bad things of 2021 and going into 2022 and saying I MUST FIX THESE. Resolutions can be celebrating things that went well and aiming to continue on that path, or making a commitment to try something new or different. We should see resolutions as a positive thing.'

This episode we're encouraging you to 'Hit the Refresh button' as we draw a line under 2021. Let's celebrate the end of the year and get ready to rock for 2022. We've got lots of exciting plans on the way so watch this space!

Episode edited and produced by Daisy Grant Productions.

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