How the hell is it 2016 already?! It feels like 2015 went past in the blink of an eye. Despite it flying by I feel 2015 was a good year for myself, one I will look back on happily for years to come.
2015 marked my first entire calender year out of education since I started the long haul of academia at the age of 4 (I'm 22 now, so work out how many years I had to endure education). The end of this era bought with it my first entire calender year in an employed position. I'm fully aware that the next 45+ years will all be dedicated to work but getting the first one out of the way feels like an achievement in itself.
In January 2015 I finally had my graduation ceremony, despite being freezing all day and wind swept photos for memories I look to that day with pride of celebrating the achieving of my degree. It was made all the more special that I shared it with 3 of my closest friends who supported each other through the hard times and laughed at the good times throughout the 3 years at university. Also having my family witness me graduating meant a whole lot to me :) It was a fitting way to end my time at university. It didn't stop me feeling sad on the drive home when reality struck that graduation was my last cling-on to claiming I was still a student, that I had to accept I was a fully accepting adult in societies eyes and I could no long use the 'but I'm a student' excuse when I didn't wake up till 2pm, was low on money, was hungover, etc.
2015 also saw me escape rainy, cold England for a couple of months to travel rainy, cold Europe (the sun appeared towards to end of the trip). 6.5 weeks of just my sister for company, living out a backpack, paying in foreign currency, using different transport systems, trying to establish what foreign signs said, trying to converse with people speaking in different languages to get by, sightseeing, etc. It was a challenge but an enjoyable one where I gained many memories that I'm sure will be spoken about for years to come.
2015 was also much more than these big events; it allowed me to realise friends can live at distance and not speak/see each other all the time, it just makes the time spent together mean much more. 2015 let me appreciate family time a lot more than ever, I have always been family orientated and close but with working it now means less free time, so it was down to me to make sure I filled some of this free time with family time. 2015 allowed me to go out for food and coffee with my mum and sis (hot chocolate in my case) more often, and being able to offer to pay because I had a stable income for the first time in my life. 2015 allowed me to buy more people Christmas gifts; again because I had a stable income and had saved up to ensure I could do this. 2015 turned me into a saver whereas before I was a spender, by saving I can plan towards the future with the knowledge that I will have sufficient funds saved when I may need them.
Despite all the memories and achievements 2015 bought, inevitably it had its drawbacks. I feel that for the months after my return from travelling, my life became engulfed by work. Working 5 days a week, a change of ownership and more hours on offer I found myself working more and more. I also struggled to switch off from work on my days off. I noticed that this was effecting my happiness and mood, I felt my personality was fading because I was constantly in my work role where you have to be more professional. As a result I decided to put myself first, work my 5 days, leave when my shift ended, switch off from the workplace and try to make the most of my 2 days off a week.
So what will 2016 bring?! I want to continue making the most of my days off, I want to put myself first, be my old self and do what I want to do! I'd like to continue to make people laugh, I want to lose weight and get my body to a stage where I am comfy in the clothes I own. I'd like to develop a hobby. I want to put more effort and attention into this blog; I know I failed last year so during 2016 I will aim to post once a month at the least, if its more than that's a bonus :) 2016 will also see my childhood dream become a reality! If all goes to plan, towards to tail end of the year I will be travelling to the other side of the world and living in Australia for up to a year on a working holiday visa.
2016 will be my year! I am looking forward to it :) What are you most looking forward to this year?!
Amester x
