Opinion: Celebrate your achievements, big or small

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I've never been one for New Year's resolutions.

They always seem like just setting myself up for failure, or perhaps it's because I tend to take a short-term view of life - not looking or planning further ahead than the following week or month.

But there is something to be said for taking stock of our lives at this time of year.

That could mean having a look back at 2017 and asking ourselves what we are proud of. It may be a big life event - getting married, having a baby, or finally getting the courage to leave a relationship or job that was making us unhappy.

Or it might be something smaller. Rediscovering a love of reading or exercise, letting go of insecurities or regrets, or just letting your grey roots grow out - and spending the money you used to spend on the hairdressers on something that makes you happy.

It could also mean acknowledging the negatives, where we let ourselves down or fell short of a goal. Not to beat ourselves up or feel bad but to make sure we've learnt something from it, so that will never happen again.

Or perhaps it's time to put wrongs right. Reach out to someone we fell out with, but have missed like hell since. Or say something we wished we said back then, but well, the time never seemed right.

If there's one thing I have learned in this job, it's that life can be over in an instant. This year we have covered too many tragedies, too many lives taken too soon and lives changed forever.

We have also covered tales of happiness, triumph, human kindness and generosity. It's those that balance the others out, that keep us in this job despite the bad stuff.

Today, we proudly highlight some prime examples of all that is good in our community. The six recipients of New Years Honours have excelled in their chosen fields and made a mark on the world around them. We congratulate them on their honours, and hope it inspires readers to ponder who they could nominate next time - because we know there are many more out there worthy of a gong.

While we can't all receive such grand honours, I bet we have all achieved something this year, be it big or small.

So take time to take stock, pat yourself on the back and look ahead with hope, optimism and determination.

Happy New Year and bring on 2018.