I like to write a reflection of how the year has gone every year on my blog, not only so I can read it back in years to come but really take stock and think about how far I have come, and where I am today, on 31st December 2019.
Looking back, 2019 has been the biggest year of self-growth for me. It has no doubt had its difficulties but working through the struggles has also made the year very enjoyable, and made me into the best version of myself.
In 2019 I have…
Got a rejection, but started at the uni that I believe is right for me
It feels like a lifetime ago since I got the no from Oxford, because so much has happened since – now that it has been a year I can say for definite that I ended up at the university that suits me much more. I’m a huge believer that everything happens for a reason and this solidified it even more.
Seen Hugh Jackman live
In May we got last minute tickets to see Hugh Jackman live and it has to be one of my highlights this year, it was so much fun! It was a really great show full of songs I absolutely love including tracks from The Greatest Showman and Les Mis – he sounded exactly as good as he does on the screen!
Conquered A Level French!
I guess the other A Levels were conquered too, but French was definitely the one I was the most proud of because I found it so difficult. To get the grade I needed was a real struggle but I made it!
Let go of friends who dragged my happiness down, and instead made some amazing ones
I think I have come so far this year because I finally decided to only surround myself with people who had a positive impact on my life, rather than being bogged down by those who constantly made me feel miserable. I stopped being disappointed when certain friends repeatedly let me down because I knew they were never going to change. It was hard getting over a huge chapter of my life with them, but I made some amazing friendships that I have really enjoyed this year with and I can’t thank them enough for being there for me.
Visited Central Perk
The Central Perk cafe based in the Manchester Primark was such a fun experience to visit with my friend Ellie. The cafe looked so similar to the set itself and served a great hot chocolate – a must for any Friends fan like myself!
Experienced living in London
In September I began studying at University College London, so moved to a uni hours away from home for a different living experience! Moving to uni changes anyone’s life, having to get used to a food shop and laundry and everything, but living in London instead of a small town was a huge step – one I have really enjoyed.
Seen 6 West End Shows
I have definitely made the most of being in London and gone to see plenty of shows! I went to see Joseph at the London Palladium in August and then saw a bunch more while I have been living there, including Mary Poppins & Come From Away. I can’t wait to see even more next year!
Made some great friends at uni
I was quite worried about making friends at uni but I needn’t have been because I couldn’t have been luckier. I have made some wonderful friends at uni who I can’t wait to spend more time with in 2020, we have had so much fun exploring London together so far.
Finished watching Suits, and watched Brooklyn Nine Nine
I started watching Suits in the summer of 2018 and only ended up finishing it this December, as I watched each season on and off. It has become one of my favourite shows ever and I was so emotional watching the series finale, I cried even more than when I finished Friends! I have also discovered the show Brooklyn Nine Nine this year and absolutely love it, it’s so funny.
Started my first job
I started my first part time job this summer in retail at New Look which has followed me down to London. It has been challenging at times but I have gained so much confidence from it; I know it has helped me to grow a lot as a person.
Developed my love and skill of oil painting
I have really enjoyed painting this year, including finishing my Fine Art A Level and being really proud of my final piece, to producing some portraits over the summer. It’s something I want to make more time for in 2020 because whenever I paint I remember how relaxing and therapeutic I find it.
Listened to a lot of The 1975 & Taylor Swift
This year my most listened to artists have been The 1975 and Taylor Swift which is not surprising at all! I am always listening to The 1975 (very excited to see them next year!) but also got really obsessed with Taylor’s new music from her Lover album.
Got a PR package from Pixi
Something I am really proud of this year happened right at the end of the year. Just before Christmas I received a PR package from the beauty brand Pixi in the post and I was so excited. It served as a great reminder of how far I have come in blogging, but how much effort I want to keep putting into it in order to get even further.
It was weird writing this up, because some of the things I mentioned feel like half a life time ago to me. 2019 feels like it has been a year that has at sometimes gone really quick, but also felt very long. Time can feel so weird!
Read what I did in 2018 here. Thank you so much for reading my blog this year, I really appreciate every read. I hope you had a great 2019 and I will speak to you again in 2020!
