This time last year, I was looking forward to what 2018 was going to bring. I had just gone through a big change in my life, I was suddenly on my own, and my future was entirely mine to do what I wanted with it. 2018 was going to be my year.
Fast-forward 12 months. In a physical sense I'm not quite in the place I wanted to be in. But that's okay. Just because I'm not where I hoped I would be, doesn't mean I haven't moved forward. I have grown in so many ways, and looking back at the list of resolutions I made when I was going through my healing, I know I fulfilled each and every one in more ways than I could have imagined. Here's a little re-cap of the promises I made to myself last year...
- Focus on self-love.
We all need to do this more. This year, I've put myself first. My confidence and self-esteem have grown so much, and now I have an abundance of both of these qualities that I've never had before.
- Bloom where you are planted.
I've made the best of the situation I am in. I don't like where I'm living, and I'm longing for the day when I can move elsewhere, but that doesn't mean that I've let that longing get the better of me. I am grateful for who I've become and what I've achieved while I've been rooted in one place, rather than being "stuck in a rut".
- Look nice and take selfies.
This seems like a silly one, and I know physical appearance isn't everything, but as someone who had low-self esteem (and I didn't realise how low it was at the time), I encouraged myself to make an effort with my appearance and take photos of myself whenever I felt like I looked nice. Dropping a dress size and fitting back into my old skinny jeans helped with the self-esteem boost as well!
- Get in touch with your wild woman.
Yep, I read Women Who Run With The Wolves a couple of years ago and it changed my way of thinking. A way of thinking that has helped me to stay strong, be fierce and build my confidence. I've blasted girl power tunes every morning and thanks to them I have fought to be the best in my job, kept myself walking the right path and beaten away the final dregs of old heartbreaks.
- Start afresh but remember how far you've come.
Treating the past 12-14 months like a rebirth has been the greatest way to turn my life around. I am doing the things I should have done ten years ago. But I'm not going to let myself regret the mistakes I made, because I wouldn't have learnt from them if I hadn't made them. I'm embracing the girls I used to be and examining my "flaws" to see how I can make the best of them now that I have new perspective. I am so full of positivity and hope for the future, I know it's going to be an incredible one.
My 2019 resolutions? Well, I did so well in 2018, I can only stay on the same track and continue being awesome.
I hope this new year is beautiful, inspiring and full of amazing experiences and achievements for everyone <3
Wirral, UK, January 2019
