Blog birthday and 2011 reflections...

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.

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)

* Made using wordle.
 

What was your biggest achievement in 2011?