Last year I set myself a resolution of being happy. I created a ‘bucket list’ (for a want of a better word) on Pinterest, pinning ideas that I thought would result in my happiness.

Now, anyone who has used Pinterest, will know how much of a stupid idea this was. This is a site full of perfection. Where as Facebook and Twitter filled with sentences of how perfect people’s lives are, Pinterest put some of that picture. From how amazing your child’ packed lunches should be, with enough examples so you don’t repeat yourself (heaven forbid) down to the delicious cupcakes and biscuits you can make in your well presented kitchen, served in your beautifully decorated living room, whilst the children indulge themselves in amazing craft activities (when they’re not having wonderful themed birthday parties that is). Not that you would get to eat any of the cupcakes however, because you have to have that perfect bod; you’ve got the recipe for 31 different fruit smoothies and an exercise plan that would will achieve just that.

All that being said, I do like Pinterest. I do have a Pinterest account. I suppose it’s the way that I can dream about what I could be. In very much the same way that I’m dreaming about how will spend €30 million Euromillions jackpot that I’m bound to win tomorrow night.

This year I have not changed many of the things I set out to. I’m not richer, in fact in money terms I am much poorer. I’m not slimmer, it is only for fear of stepping on the scales that I don’t know how much I am not slimmer by. However, kicked some toxic people to the curb. Does that mean I have not achieved happiness? I look at other people and by their standards I probably haven’t.

However, this year I have known people who have all lost loved ones. At least four of my friends marriages have failed. People have lost their jobs. There are people who have lost businesses, their homes, to the awful weather that has been experienced this past fortnight. Makes you realise that happiness is just relative. My little family have not made it through the year unscathed, however we have made it through.

Who knows what 2016 will bring?