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!
