2016 has flown by quicker than any other year I can remember.
It seems like only yesterday I was waiting up until midnight to see 2015 into the next year, and now it's almost time to do it all again!
I've never done a 'look back' post before but I feel like during this year a lot has happened and changed - it's been a bit of an eventful year for the better and the worse but everything happens for a reason right?
Peaceful little forest gettaway
The year started off lovely with myself and my boyfriend going away on holiday for the first time together just the two of us.
We decided to stay in the UK as travelling abroad was a bit too expensive for us so we found a cute little forest tree house gettaway - hot tub included - in Cornwall which suited us perfectly and we had the best time.
I'd recommend these holidays to anyone family or couples looking for a quiet short holiday - they're perfect to get away from normal busy lifestyles! (Plus there is optional WiFi if you don't want to feel TOO isolated ;) ).
We also went on another little break to York later on in the year but this time stayed in a cute little cottage, it was lovely and just the little break we needed before the stress of Christmas started.
Alan Rickman
The passing away of Alan Rickman was a horrible shock as being a Harry Potter fan he has been a part of my childhood for many years. He will always be one of the best actors I've known of and made the best Severus Snape any HP fanatic could ask for.
Cutting my hair
After leaving my hair to grow for about 2 years, I decided shortly after coming back from our forest break to go for the chop!
It took a lot of decision making and googling styles before I let my sister (an ex hairdresser) loose with the scissors. But I'm SO glad I - eventually - decided to do it.
Yes my hair was long but it was in such a bad condition and always getting in the way so the majority of it ended up cut and hoovered up off the carpet! woohoo!
Attempting to be more adventurous
At the beginning of the year I made a little list of things I'd like to achieve in 2016 one being to try more adventurous things.
So what a better way to do so than going to Go Ape!
For anyone that doesn't know Go Ape is an up in the trees obstacle course, and the day consists of being trained how to use the correct equipment and then being let loose on your own to get through the course - ending in a huge zip wire.
It was an AMAZING experience and although my heart was in my mouth the entire time I'm so glad I did it - the adrenaline and feeling of finishing the course (without falling hundreds of foot) was great!! Definitely give this a go if you're looking for something a bit different to do with friends - click here to take a look :)
Expanding my photography
Taking photos has always been something I love to do including the editing that goes behind it, but I've always been quite conscious of people looking at them so kind of always kept them for family and friends to view. But this year after a couple of friends encouragement I decided to make an Instagram page and then eventually a Facebook page to promote my photos.
Both pages have had great feedback and everyone has been SO supportive - it's lovely.
One of my goals for next year is so definitely try and expand both these pages a bit more and produce a lot more photos to put on them. (click below to access both pages if you like!)
Quitting my job & realising money isn't everything!
For me this is one of my best achievements this year. I finally quit a job that I'd been working in for over 2 years and didn't enjoy anymore. The hours were horrible meaning couldn't have a proper sleeping pattern and I left every shift feeling stressed and worn out.
So once enough was enough I handed in my notice and left.
Since then I've had 2 jobs neither of which pay as well as my other job but I have felt happier in myself for having nicer jobs that I enjoy more. And although I'm still in a bit of a loose end in my career and job wise I'm still looking for something I want to make a career out of but I'm happy and family and friends have noticed that about me as well as myself.
Money is always at the back of my mind as I have a car loan to pay off but that's one thing to worry about rather than waking up every morning and going to job I don't enjoy - and I know which one I'd rather have.
Money IS NOT everything - happiness should ALWAYS come first.
Becoming myself more
If 2016 has taught me anything, it's that being yourself is one of the things everyone is good at, and if you're not sure who that is yet - theres time and there always will be time.
I used to think that I should be what other people want me to be and wear what I think other people people will think I look nice in, but since turning 20 (not old but feels SO OLD to me haha) I've realised that screw it! If I want to walk around wearing something that my close friend or family member doesn't like - who cares! Wear what you want and do your makeup how you like - if it's making you happy that who else really matters?
I've always always wanted glasses even as a child but am lucky enough to not need any medically so purchased some fake ones online - and I love them! Although my sister thinks I'm crazy, I love wearing them and they definitely complete some outfits.
Wearing and doing things I want to do has also made me think more positively about myself and I've noticed now more than ever I'm cringing less and less of photos of myself and just generally feeling more confident and happy in my own skin.
Thinking like this about myself has also made me realise that other people can also do and wear what they like.
I used to look weirdly at people with bright blue hair or piercings all over their face but now I think 'wow they really pull that off' or 'they are so brave expressing their personalities that way' it's honestly made me a more positive person and I look at life a little differently and definitely in a positive way.
Blogging love
I've posted onto my blog more than ever this year, and even made a little change to the style and content I post.
I used to nearly always post about makeup and beauty products and never really felt that satisfied with it when pressed the publish button - and it started to become more of a 'oh yeah I better post onto my blog' rather than 'I'm excited to share this!' sort of thing.
So I tweeted about it and SO many of you gave me positive feedback that I went for it and I've had more reads than ever since changing my content slightly!
You've all been lovely and some of you leaving comments which I always love to read and reply too. Theres nothing better than spending ages on a post and then having a little comment pop up of someone saying how much they enjoyed reading it.
This year my Twitter linked to my blog also passed not only 2000 followers but recently 3000 as well! That's CRAZY INSANE. I LOVE tweeting and end up posting a tweet usually daily and I'm always getting replies or likes and it makes me so happy to see personally how supportive and lovely the blogging community is.
You lot are the best - seriously.
My blog is still a secret to my friends and family at the moment but one of my goals for 2017 is to tell them because why should I be embarressed?!
I created this little space myself and everything about it - from the way it's laid out to what is posted is all down to me and I love that! And the same goes to every blogger out there. We're bossing it so be proud of that!
P.S I've also learnt that reads and blog views are not everything. If I'm happy with a post and it only gets 10 views and no comments, oh well! It's really not a big deal.
I hope you guys had a lovely Christmas and your New year is full of happiness and new starts in any parts of your life where you want it.
Keep bossin it, and see you next year!
Molly
xox
P.S I feel like this will be one of those blog posts that I press publish and then realise I've left something out - aka the MOST annoying thing ever but if you've managed to read this far I'm impressed and I think if I'd written anymore I would have needed to apply to publish it into a book aha. X
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/14375113/?claim=tfbmh23c5kr">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>
Where else to find me -
Twitter - @daffodilsdaisys
Instagram - @riddikulus___
Photography Instagram - @captured_by_molly
Photography page - Facebook 'Captured by Molly'
Aw this is a lovely post, and you look stunning in all of your pictures! I am completely in love with your blog too, keep up the amazing work and I hope you have a lovely 2017 gorgeous lady x
ReplyDeleteadelelydia.blogspot.com
Thankyou, you are too lovely! :)
DeleteHappy New Year xox