This post is all about the big things that happened month by month, and also an opportunity to address new year's resolutions and advice on how to start the year.
January
This was the month that affected the rest of the year because I quit the job I had just started and hated. I quit without a new job, which was the hardest thing I did; I don't regret it as I felt it was necessary, but not going to go into that negative part too much...
I attended a friend's 30th birthday, and then went go-karting the next day (completely hungover and with little sleep). I've always wanted to go-kart, but haven't. It was so much fun. I went for a friend's birthday. For anyone who hasn't done it, we did a tester part, which I failed and then you compete with friends to come 1st, 2nd and 3rd. I failed as didn't know you could brake, but crashing was fun! (Scary to think I'm learning to drive).
More friend birthday events were attended too.
February
After ending a relationship in the end of 2015, I decided to embrace alone time more. Living by myself and working independently.
I started to enjoy doing independent things such as attending my first gig alone, which was terrifying. I realised friends didn't all have the same interests as me, so I needed to not that stop me doing what I wanted to.
One of my closest friends, Jools had been with her boyfriend for 6 years and he proposed. I was so happy for her solemate to finally do it! I jokingly asked for many years when he'd do it, and he finally did! Jools called me immediately after and asked me to be her Maid of Honour, which I was so happy about. I talked about the joy of being asked to be a bridesmaid in one of my posts this year, but can't seem to find which post it was. If I can, I will update with the post.
March
It was a long month trying to get sorted with jobs and had temporary positions, but money just dried up. I made the hard decision to move away from Dundee, away from friends and move back with parents, who had now moved to the Isle of Wight.
April
I actually made the plunge at the start of the month and moved back with parents. First, my grandparents who were slightly closer and lived in Yorkshire visited me. They then helped me move my stuff into their car, I stayed at theirs for a few days (that was bizarre being in the small town I once grew up in, and went to school; it had changed a lot, but then was completely the same too). Then we made our way through much more driving and a ferry from Southampton to Isle of Wight.
I also enjoyed taking lots of pictures and discovered I like photography again. Here is a post describing my love for photography.
May
When I was younger (maybe about 5 or 6), we lived with squirrels. Not by choice! They kind of invaded. In May, we discovered we were living with mice. That was fun! We realised when we saw that cous cous had holes in, and when they attempted to get my Dad's peanuts that were kept in a container. For many reasons including this, we hated living in the bungalow. We then made the journey to move to another part of the island. It was good as we moved closer to more shops and just more, more.
June
While out for a meal to celebrate my Mum's birthday, another friend who proposed to her boyfriend in February asked me to attend her 2018 wedding. Minutes later, I found out my Lisa was the next engaged lady. Her boyfriend of 5 years asked her to marry him, while on holiday. I was over the moon!
July
Lisa asked me and my close friend, Hannah to be one of her bridesmaids. We both received hampers like this:
July was also the month that I started writing this blog. Click here to see the very first post.
August
I started working in a temporary position at Waitrose - working 6.30am to 1.30pm on Saturdays (don't miss those early starts) and 1.15pm to 4.15pm on Sundays (where I rarely finished on time).
I also started working towards improving myself more - attending a six week course of stress workshops,which was great. It taught me things I already knew and new things about sleep, exercise and diet helping to improve stress levels. I recommend this to everyone!
September
I volunteered for a charity called Community Empowerment - helping with bid writing for a few weeks.
I visited my friends in Scotland - travelling to Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee. It was a time to meet the other bridesmaids and groomsmen for Jools and Peter's wedding in Glasgow, go shopping, eat out a LOT, quality time with friends and of course attending Lisa's engagement party.
I took a great few pictures, but felt that was hugely personal. Therefore, here is a picture of my subcrawl with Jools and the rest of the groomsmen etc. This is a picture I took with two women who told me that they attended the comic-con that day:
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| How cool do they look? Shame I look awful! |
October
I left Dundee and made my way home at the very start of the month.
For the blog, I took part in Blogtober. Feel free to re-read these posts! I love writing them and expanding my ideas of what to write about.
It was also my 24th birthday, which was unfortunately a bit disappointing - not seeing my friends, not doing anything special but got everything I could possibly ask for.
November
Due to certain circumstances, we needed to move again, so on the 26th November, we moved to Ipswich.
Before leaving the island, I enjoyed volunteering for the local hospice on the island. Helping to promote their Santa Dash event, working on admin tasks for the fundraising team and generally helping where I could.
December
I learnt that there will be more surprises to come in 2017 and lots more to look forward to besides engagements and weddings.
I also took part in Blogmas, where I wrote 12 posts on the lead-up to Christmas and the new year.
I also volunteered at the local Ipswich Hospital charity assisting in wrapping presents and taking presents to the children's ward. It really bought home the spirit of giving during the festive period. I hope I will do it again next year as it was truly the best fun!
Finally, I had the best Christmas I've had as an adult - spending it with parents, getting everything I could ask for and relaxing. Then seeing grandparents a few days after to celebrate all over again!
As I draw to the end of the first 2017 post, I'd like to say a few things about the new year, and advice on making the most of it:
1. Dust
Like the motto: "Tidy house, tidy life" or it goes something like that! I think there is something therapeutic about starting afresh with a more organised and tidy start to your house and life. I have been dusting my room today, as living with parents I can't always control the rest of my surroundings.
2. Sort out things
This is said in a very broad sense. Yesterday started with me tidying drawers which didn't have set places for things. Now I have folders with stationery, financial/important information and medical stuff. Everything has it's place! It was also the first time to find places for things as moving I still feel, not everything has a home just yet!
3. Get rid of crap!
I often find that I do a spring clean in autumn - getting rid of clothes, DVDs, books etc, all the things I don't need or have used. However I've decided I've already accumulated so much rubbish since moving. I suggest you do it at the start of any new year - it's great!
4. Set realistic goals/resolutions
So many people fail at their New Year Resolutions, but I strongly believe it's because they look at it the wrong way. Every year I love to set goals, more like plans for what I wish to do in the new year. I don't get disappointed if I don't do them all as they are mainly ideas of what I would like to achieve over time. Here are some pictures of ones I set in previous years:
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| 2009 New Year Resolutions |
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| 2011 New Year Resolutions |
I love organising things for the new year.
5. Keep organised
Get a diary or calendar to make sure you don't miss a single appointment or engagement. Organise yourself in any way that might help. With my new planner, I can now budget, keep a to-do list and plan my meals to get healthier.
6. Plan
Make your plans for the year for holidays, career and anything you feel needs improving.
7. Do YOU!
I'm not sure what to add here, as you know what you need to do for yourself - I don't. I want to start looking after myself more - moisturising and exfoliating my body, concentrating on things that matter to me and help achieving goals.
8. Get back to work
Christmas and New Year's Day is now over, so you're either back at work or getting ready to properly start the new year. I wish you well, and hope you all work to achieve what you want both personally and professionally. I'm excited to get to it!
Glad the stress workshops were helpful! I've been thinking about going to therapy - just to see if talking helps with anything!
ReplyDeleteLove, Jon
That wasn't really therapy more of listening to them talk about it if that makes sense but also made me aware that everyone has stress x
DeleteWhat a year you've had! Good luck with achieving your 2017 goals x
ReplyDeleteThank you that's really sweet x
DeleteIt sounds like you have had a year with lots of mixed emotions. I hope this year is much better to you, I am sure it will, you have set some positive goals.
ReplyDeleteEm
Yeah feel more positive- set realistic goals and really determined to do them x
DeleteYou certainly had a busy year, I took part in Blogtober too and loved it, I hope you have a great 2017 x
ReplyDeleteI think it was your post that I had seen that encourage me to do blogtober actually lol it was so much fun x
DeleteIt sounds like you've had a busy year, I have been reading so much about people years and really like the idea that you can go back through the months and recount how your year has gone, I'm actually inspired to keep a diary for 2017 and looking forward to next year and looking back on it.
ReplyDeleteI've always written diaries and been encouraged to keep them. It's good to look back at. It makes me feel naive when looking at older ones but like it all the same x
DeleteYou've had such a busy year! The stress workshops sound like a really empowering thing to take on - I think most of us could definitely do with less stressful feelings as we head into 2017!
ReplyDeleteYeah it was great 👍🏻 x
DeleteLooks like you had a great year. I can't believe its 2017 already x
ReplyDeleteIt's all about looking at the positives! X
DeleteI too took 2016 to be a year of embracing alone time and embrace I did, I had a good year and looking forward to an awesome year. Good luck in 2017
ReplyDeleteThat's great to hear! Hope 2017 brings more exciting developments for you x
Delete2016 had its ups and downs for you but it did get you a fresh start. Plus its an honour to be asked to be a bridesmaid.
ReplyDeleteYeah I'm excited for everything that 2017 will bring (nearly put 2016 there 🙊). Yeah I'm so excited for both weddings! X
DeleteSo much moving around in one year - you must be exhausted! Here's hoping 2017 is a settled and happy year for you - Hopefully with no mice!
ReplyDeleteNot exhausted as such but be nice to settle. Haha 😂 that's something to wish for x
DeleteGlad to hear that your getting back into loving photography! and yes do you!!!! anything that benefits you because no one else is going to look out for number one :) have a happy new year
ReplyDeleteI like taking pictures but not sure it's my main hobby as it was initially. Totally! It feels selfish saying it but something I need to do x
DeleteWoah youve had a very busy and demanding year. Sounds as though you've really got your resolutions in order and are ready to tackle them! xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you! I feel positive and think that's the first towards reaching any goal x
Deleteyou've had a very busy 2016! I've never heard of stress workshops but they sound like a great idea, I have ptsd and have tried some therapy but that sort of setting hasn't really worked for me so something like this could be brilliant. I hope you have an amazing 2017! xx
ReplyDeleteWhat works for one doesn't work for all unfortunately. Speak to doctor. Not sure all do it but got it through the counselling team you can get referred to for different reasons. Hope you have a fab 2017 too! X
DeleteLook like you had a busy 2016! That picture with the cow really tickled me. xx
ReplyDeleteMy intention. Couldn't stop taking pictures of the nearby wildlife at the time 😂😂x
DeleteSounds like a lot changed throughout 2016! Best of luck for all things during 2017!
ReplyDeleteAww thank you- same for you especially with your fundraising x
DeleteLooks like it has been a busy 2016. Those hampers look great congratulations on being a maid of honour ;-)
ReplyDeleteYeah I'm over the moon x
DeleteIt's fascinating to read back the year this way! Not sure I'd like that month with all the critters though. lol
ReplyDeleteCritters? Had mice in May x
Deletei really need to start getting rid of crap too. youve had a great year despite the little mishaps but glad to hear theres so many great things happening this year :D
ReplyDeleteYeah I'm excited already for some of the good stuff coming x
DeleteWow what an amazing year you have - yes I need to bookmark this post and refer back to it as these are things I need to be doing too
ReplyDeleteAww thank you! Glad it might help in some way 😊 x
DeleteCongrats on completely Blogtober and Blogmas! I've always wanted to participate but I haven't found the time yet. Maybe this year!
ReplyDeleteThanks - I'm proud I did them and it expanded things I wrote about. Unfortunately didn't do blogmas the amount of days you're meant to but already have more ideas of things I could actually write for 2017 x
ReplyDeleteI so need to get rid of crap. I need to have a good spring clean.
ReplyDeleteAlways feel better when you do it x
DeleteI did what you did in January. Quit without a new job... scariest thing I have ever done but SO much happier... back in employment but leaps and bounds better. You've had quite a year!
ReplyDeleteIt was horrible as not had a permanent job since but I think it was necessary and pEople don't understand unless they lived it. So happy for you as know first hand how difficult it is x
DeleteSounds like you had a very busy 2016, all the best for 2017. I think I need to set more goals for the year ahead
ReplyDeleteThank you! You too 😊 I love having goals or things to work towards, but sometimes you don't need them x
DeleteI enjoyed this post. I love how you shared something from each month. I also moved in Nov. Good luck with all your goals!
ReplyDeleteI found it the easiest way to write about the year and reflect. Glad you liked it. Hard moving so late in the year and during preparation for Christmas etc x
DeleteWow, what a busy year you've had. One of my twins was in a London hospital over Christmas not long after she was born (open hear surgery). She was transferred to our local hops Christmas eve and the home Christmas morning. I can tell you from the heart that the presents you helped wrap will have touched people deeply and they will be remembered for ever!
ReplyDeleteAwww such a sweet message 😊 I only did a small part but it was rewarding. Really hope to do it next year x
DeleteSounds like a tough start to the year with a lots of upheaval, fair play for remaining so positive and helping others xx all the best for 2017 xx
ReplyDeleteAww thanks- that's sweet! 😊 Hope 2017 is good for you too x
DeleteIt does sound like you had a tough year but have come through the other side and have learnt a lot about yourself in the process x
ReplyDeleteSeems accurate. Seemed like an unlucky year for many! Hope for lots of positive this year with lots of goals in place and know how to get there 😊 x
DeleteHappy new year! Good luck with your goals for 2017.
ReplyDeleteGood luck too! Hope 2017 is lovely to you 😊 x
DeleteI love how positive you sound even with all the emotional roller coaster you went through! Big up to you!
ReplyDeleteAww thank you! Feel like being positive is the best way to do it. Being negative doesn't bring about positive things 😊 x
DeleteI am desperate to be more organised, I have a weekly planner, but if it is a dull gloomy day I ideally have to rearrange any photography jobs that need doing, so planning is so hard.
ReplyDeleteYou can only plan so much but makes you feel good when you can plan appointments and organise a to do list. I'm always forgetting things so find this makes me feel calmer x
DeleteWhat a full year it was. I love trying to get organised with planners it's staying organised I struggle with!!! I love the Cow picture, really made me smile seeing it! The bridesmaids hamper was a lovely touch as well. Enjoy all the weddings you have booked in for the next few years. I do love a good wedding. x
ReplyDeleteDefinitely gives the illusion of organisation! Glad the cow picture made you smile haha got one definitely this year but not sure when others will be x
DeleteI loved reading your review! It definitely seems like it was a pretty positive and exciting year. I can't wait to see where this year takes you xx
ReplyDeleteAwww that's so sweet, thank you 😊 x
Delete2016 was definitely a year of up and downs for you, and lots of moves too. I do hope that things have settled down a bit and that 2017 is a fantastic year for you x
ReplyDeleteIt seems to have, thankfully lol and feeling positive so far 😊x
DeleteWow you have had a pretty intense year. Im finding as I get older each year is bringing its own issues. Im trying hard to view some of them as positives and life experiences and something that making me learn and grow as a person. Hope 2017 is a great year for you x
ReplyDeleteI generally feel much more positive and learnt a lot from 2016 x
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