Saturday 31 December 2016

Reflecting on 2016


Hey guys,

It's been a funny old year, 2016. As I'm sat up writing this on the 30th December, I'm contemplating the fact that it was quite a weird year. I mean, politics has gone tits up, and there have been some awful tragedies, but some of it was actually okay.

I saw a tweet that went viral the other day, all about the good things that have happened this year in relation to our environment and wildlife, and it made me think that some good things have actually happened this year.

Going a bit more personal here, I really feel like I have grown this year. Not literally (damn you small legs!), but in a way in that I feel like I'm more independent, and more understanding of the fact that life is a bitch, and you've just got to go with what life throws at you. Unfortunately, I had a lot of shit at school, and yes, it's affected me pretty badly, but I'm finally realising that I've got to let it go. I mean yeah, I still don't have the confidence to go out without make up on and I hide away from doing certain things, but I have managed to go out wearing less make up, which is a start. I just haven't yet come to terms with the fact that I'm not the person that I was 4 years ago, but that's okay. I'll get there. 

I finally realised this year that I really need more experience in the line of work that I want to go into, but I'm still not 100% sure what that is. But that's basically what your twenties are for, finding out what you want to do for the rest of your life.

And yes, 2016 was the year I turned 20. No longer a teenager, which means I can no longer sit on my arse all day and eat without a care in the world (although let's be honest, I'm still going to do that). I don't know, even though it's just an age, it's a new decade, a new decade in which I may get married, I may have kids, I may finish university, I may travel, I may get that dream job...it's quite overwhelming. I feel like my twenties are going to be amazing, but I just don't think I'm ready for them yet.

I have also struggled with my mental health, but I have had such amazing support from my friends and family, and I am so thankful for them. My mental health is something that I have never really spoken about on my blog, but it is something that is very apparent in my life. Anxiety is always something that I have struggled with, as I can't really remember not having my weird compulsions in relation to grammar and shapes, but I feel that university has heightened it somehow. I have always felt stress, but it got to the point where I wasn't sleeping or eating, and had to get extensions on my assignments. I felt so frustrated with myself, as I wanted to be like everyone else and just be able to write my assignment in the time given. But looking back, if I hadn't had those extensions, I probably would have gone into a spiral of stress and low moods, so I am so glad that I faced up to what was going on. I think I need to focus on that more in 2017, and focus on helping myself in relation to this. However, this year I managed to fight my anxiety to some extent, and in my second term I handed in all of my assignments in on the deadline. It's a small victory, but one of which I am proud.

In 2016, I started my blog. This was a massive highlight for me this year, as I finally put my love of writing into something real, into something that I can look back on, and think 'wow, I was doing that this time last year' or 'wow, look how far I've come' (although not in photography, my photography is still a bit shit). It's quite amazing how much I have changed, within my writing style and also within my confidence. I would never in a million years have posted a photo of my face on the internet showcasing a make up look that I had created. It's also been an outlet for me, an outlet to just get out of my head for a while, and write. Write whatever I want and do whatever I want - it's fantastic.

I've also had some amazing opportunities in relation to my blog, as I have met loads of incredible bloggers, and have attended events that I would never even dream of attending. In fact, I was invited to an event in London recently, which also has guests attending such as In The Frow and Lydia Elise Millen, which is so amazing, yet so overwhelming. I'm so excited to attend, but I'm such a small blogger, with very little experience in comparison to the majority of people attending, and it's quite daunting to say the least. But this is something that I am so looking forward to, and I will definitely be writing a post about it!

I also started my YouTube channel. I never ever ever thought that I would be sat in my room talking to a camera as if the most natural thing in the world and then post it on the internet - but I did. To be honest, I never thought that I would even come close to starting, but here we are. If you're interested in checking out my YouTube channel, I'll leave the link here.

I was also very fortunate to visit California with my parents, something that I have always wanted to do. It was on of the best holidays I have ever been on, and I made memories there that are completely unforgettable. We toured down the West Coast, and we saw some amazing places, such as San Francisco, San Diego and Yosemite! I wrote many a post about my time here, so I will leave some links for you to view them - Monterey Bay, Yosemite, San Francisco. I am so thankful for being able to visit such amazing places, and I am so grateful to my parents for taking me!

So that was a very rambley post, but I feel that it was more honest and personal, which is something that I have never delved into on my blog, in fear of being found by someone I know, but also in fear of being judged in some shape or form. However, I have learnt to just say 'screw it', and go for it!

I hope you have all had a wonderful 2016, and I wish you a happy new year for 2017.

Let's see what this year brings.

Much love always,

Grace x


34 comments :

  1. There were certainly strange moments this year, but I think it was a year of learning. I hope 2017 brings even more opportunity!
    Omnivogues

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    1. I completely agree, it was a very strange year! Thank you, happy new year! X

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  2. Happy New Year! I wish you success in dealing with your anxiety. You got this girl! Congrats on starting your blog and YouTube channel! xo

    www.makeupisdelish.com

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  3. 2016 was such a weird year but a lot of lessons were learnt so I guess it was slightly beneficial. Turning 20 must seem really daunting but I'm sure you'll smash the following years :)
    Dalal
    monochromedaisies.blogspot.com

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    1. It really was, but you're right, lessons were definitely learnt! Thank you so much, and Happy New Year! :) x

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  4. aw I loved reading this! we should be thankful for all the experiences we get and we need to learn from them too x

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  5. Woow lovely! 2016 seems like it's been a learning curve for you. Some things just take time and it won't happen over night. But it's amazing what opportunities have already come your way! I hope there are many more coming your way lovely, you deserve them!

    Gemma | www.anoceanglimmer.wordpress.com

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    1. Aw, thank you so much! It definitely has, I've learnt a lot this year! x

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  6. 2016 has definitely been a bit of a weird year but definitely looking forward to the future and what 2017 might bring! Best of luck with your blog and the love that comes with it!

    www.ohsobecky.com

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    1. It really has! I hope you have a great 2017, and thank you, you too! x

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  7. Another great post lovely - good luck for 2017! xXx


    http://www.jessicabkennedy.co.uk/

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    1. Thank you so much! I hope you have a lovely 2017! x

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  8. Lovely in depth post, jealous of your Cali visit! One day I'll go haha ❤

    THE ETHICAL EVOLUTION – CRUELTY FREE / ETHICAL / VEGAN
    https://theethicalevolution.wordpress.com/

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    1. Thank you, and I'd definitely recommend going, it's amazing! x

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  9. Love this post and your blog! Can't believe you only started it this year, it's amazing!
    Kate xx
    http://luxekate.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

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  10. Such a great post - Just remember that your blog is all about you and what you want to write about, you don't need to have lots of experience. Hope you have a amazing 2017 and keep doing the things you love x

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    1. Thank you! Happy new year, and I hope you have a great 2017! x

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  11. Oh Cali in my dreams! Sounds like you had a pretty good year :-) all the best for 2017!

    ~ Jasmin N
    littlethingswithjassy.blogspot.fi

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  12. Happy New Year! I found you via #bloggerspromohour. Glad to hear you're feeling positive coming out of 2016. As someone who's lived through her 20's I would advise you to take the pressure off and take time to figure out who you are. I'm in my early 30s now and FINALLY feel comfortable in my own skin. Most days.

    Hope you are successful with everything you hope to do and good luck for 2017!

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    1. Happy New Year! Thank you, I really needed to hear that, because, as you can probably tell, I'm a bit clueless right now, but hopefully I'll get there!

      Thank you so much, I hope you have a fab 2017! x

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  13. Happy New Year! Love this blog, Ive just started a Youtube Channel this year so well done I know its scary! x
    Have an amazing 2017 X

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    1. Aw, thank you so much, and well done! I hope you have a fab 2017! x

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  14. A beautiful post, good luck in the new year! Happy new year!

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  15. I'm still trying to figure out what to do in my life and I'm a good chick through my 20's so don't panic too much!
    Good luck in 2017, I hope you have a great year :)

    Rosie x

    Lifescupoftea.co.uk

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  16. I love this. I think so many people focused on the negatives this year, so it's nice to see some positives!

    Happy New Year!

    www.thedizzyingheights.co.uk

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  17. I turned 20 this year too and I feel like I have grown up sooo much! Well... I don't really act or look 20 but you know haha. Have a good 2017 xx

    http://louiselovesbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Haha, I'm the same, I unfortunately look really young! Thank you, you too! X

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