Welcome to 2012 everyone!!! Hope you all had a wonderful celebration and you're bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to take on 2012!!! After my favourite posts of 2011 it is now time to reflect the year on a personal level.
Before I begin to reflect my 2011, I must celebrate 2 important blog milestones:
My blog birthday!!!
Yes...As of today my blog is one. This time last year I stumbled upon a blog recapping their 2010 and I decided to do the same and thought why not blog it? I wasn't in the best of places back then, I remember sitting wondering why I let things which I can't control, affect how I felt. By writing, I have been able to focus my thoughts and get through many different moments when I just didn't know what to do. Also, through some amazing friendships I have learnt that no matter where in the world you are, there are people out there like yourself and are willing to help perfect strangers.
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| A collation of my blog to date!* |
Also, as if I planned it, I have hit my 200th post!!! Yes..another excitement. As much as I enjoy blogging I was never sure that it would be something which I would continue. I'm the type of person who lacks a lot of concentration and get bored with things very easily. I thought my blog would be one of them. However, after 199 posts, many wonderful comments, feeling like I've helped people and the gaining of friendships I am still here. Just with anything in life, it's what you make of it. I feel like I've made quite a lot of it. Maybe I've somewhat tailed off the last couple of months but unfortunately illness, work and a couple personal things have got in the way but I have missed the blog and will be back!!
My 2011 Inventory
In 2011, I gained independence and great friendships.
I lost a feeling of worthlessness.
I stopped feeling the need to please everyone.
I started asking for help more.
I was hugely satisfied by my change of attitude towards myself.
And frustrated by my indecisiveness.
I am so embarrassed that it has taken me till age 26 to realise that I need to make decisions based on my own wants and not be influenced by those around me so much.
Once again, I worked my ass off to give my class the best education I can possibly give them.
Once again, I revisited my past.
The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is my hair cut. I went for the chop!!!
The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is that I am stronger and work hard not to place blame upon myself for things I can not control. I'm not fully there but I'm definitely working on it.
I loved my family, friends and making amazing new friends!
Why did I spend even two minutes thinking I was making the wrong decision to travel solo?
I should have spent more time in silence and reflecting (kept from last year as I really didn't do it) and also sleeping.
I regret not being more straight to the point in some situations.
I will never regret revisiting the past.
I worry what others think of me way too much.
I didn’t sleep enough!
Work nearly drove me crazy.
The most relaxing place I went was on a bus travelling US and Canada. The most amazing place to think about life and love.
Why did I not look after my body better? Sleep, diet and relaxation!
The best thing I did for someone else was help bring them out of their down moments and make them smile even when they thought it was impossible.
The best thing I did for myself was challenge myself and in the process discover myself more.
The best thing someone did for me was
to be a best friend when they'd only known me for 2 days. This has resulted in an amazing and honest friendship.
The one thing I’d like to do again, but do it better, even more open with new people. I don't like new people and I find the whole situation stressful. However, I managed to find a great friendship in doing so this year and hopefully next year I can become even more comfortable. I need to learn to trust more easily.
(Fill-in-the-blank template from Mary Schmich at The Chicago Tribune)
