Is it just me, or has this year just raced by?
It doesn't quite seem possible it's been whole year since I welcomed in 2014, stood under a canopy of umbrellas straining to see the London fireworks as they reflected brightly off the buildings surrounding Trafalgar Square.
And yet, here we are. It's December 30th and I've spent the best part of my day littering my bedroom floor with discarded dresses in a decidedly futile attempt to decide on an outfit for tomorrow night. Do I want to be comfortable or glamorous? Comfortably glamorous? I get back on you on that one.
Naturally, as the year draws to it's close, we cant help but look back. We ask ourselves not only where did those months go? But also how did they go? For me, it was pretty up and down. A roller-coaster of a year. But that's life with ME. There's been bad times, terribly bad times, but as I look back I can see there's been so so many good times. In fact, for the first time in a number of years, I can confidently say this year's been better than the rest.
While my year may be ending with ME once again in tow, it doesn't feel quite so bleak. I'm still unwell, and there's a chance I may still be unwell when I wave goodbye to 2015, but things are certainly on the up. My health may not have improved as much as I may have hoped, but I've got a better outlook now, I've got better coping mechanisms and I've got better control.
In the spirit of positivity I've taken a look back on some of my greatest achievements this year, some of which I'd have never thought possible. Seeing them written down, I couldn't be more proud of myself for how far I've come this year, how much progress I've made and how much stronger I am. Even if 2014 hasn't been your year, tucked away somewhere, maybe on a rainy afternoon in April or a warm summers evening in July, there will be something, however small, that you've achieved. You don't have to shout it from the rooftops with glee, you needn't even note it down, but think about it, just for a second; what have you done this year to make you feel proud?
1. Graduated. Graduating is a fantastic achievement at the best of times. But to do it all with an incredibly poorly body and still get a 2:1 is something I'm pretty damn proud of. I'm not going to bang on about this too much as I've already done that here.
2. Travelled to America for 3 weeks. Though nothing, not even a particularly bad relapse, would have kept me from heading to America to be reunited with my boyfriend after three months, I'm incredibly grateful my body behaved itself when the time came. Though it was tough and I needed a lot of down time when I returned. I managed it. Three weeks of back-to-back sight seeing and a trip to NYC. If that doesn't show progress, I don't know what does! You can read all about it here.
3. On the road again. Though I passed my test over 2 years ago, I've had neither a car nor insurance in that time, so I've driven very little. I'm finally insured now on mama's car and though it's been stressful at times, I'm so glad I've got the freedom of driving now. I'm even getting a little better at parking.
4. I worked. Ok, it was an internship, but it was in a proper office doing proper things. A year ago I'd have never thought this possible, or at least it was simply a dream. Though only two days a week, the internship was tough and showed me I'm not ready for work just yet. But I made it to the end. I had a wonderful experience,meet some great people and even got a certificate.
5. I got me a blog. I'd thought about blogging for a long while but never had the guts to just go for it. In June this year I took the plunge and decided to give it a go. I'm not the best at blogging. I always forget to post, but next year I'm going to try to be better *news years resolution*. Anyways, it's still only a baby, but I'm proud of it.
Wishing you all the happiest new year!
Alice
x
