Here's to another year...

Just a snap of me on my 21st x

Happy New Year everyone!

As some of you may know my birthday was the 31st December, so this New Year I'm not only entering a new decade, but a new stage in my life as well!

Turning 21 is definitely bittersweet, but I can't wait to see what this year has in store for me!

Welcoming the new year usually comes along with resolutions. Things that people want to change about themselves & the unrealistic thought of 'new year new me.'

Now I'm not saying that setting goals is a bad thing - in fact I love setting myself little goals during the year - but why try to reinvent yourself just because?

I look forward to 2020 & all the love & light I'm sure it will bring me. But as I look back at 2019 I can't help but be proud of the person I have already become.

I've been on a rollercoaster of a year with plenty of ups & downs as I'm sure many of you have - because it wouldn't be life without the lows now would it?

It's because of these rough patches this past year that have taken me on a journey of self-discovery & self-love & care which has changed my attitude towards many aspects in my life & I'm grateful for that.

Because without these 'lows' you wouldn't appreciate the highs as much.

In 2019 I've lost friends I thought I'd have forever, & gained friends I never could've imagined. I've spent more quality time with family & loved ones & had some amazing experiences with my nearest & dearest. I traveled to Rome with one of my best friends - something I've dreamed of doing since I was young - & ate way more pasta & pizza than anyone should consume in 4 days!

It's been a year where I've loved, laughed, danced & drunk (sometimes a little too much). Because what's life without indulging a little?

It's also been the year I started my final year of university which has proved very stressful for me. Balancing the workload, social life, family time, as well as time for yourself has proved challenging but I've managed so far.

I've started reading again. Not just reading for my degree, but reading because I want to & because I enjoy it. It's something I stopped a few years ago because 'I didn't have the time' but I've made the conscious effort to find time this year & it's something I'll carry on doing for me.

I've thrown myself into my salsa dancing more this year, going to more social functions & trying harder to improve. On top of throwing myself more into salsa dancing, pole dancing is also something I started doing towards the tail-end of the year which is something I never thought I'd do. It's given me much more confidence & I've met some amazing people through it too.

2019 has proved to me that I'm stronger & more confident than I ever could've imagined & I'm proud of that.

I've learnt to accept myself & my flaws & actually love myself. Because like mama Ru says:

'If you can't love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?'

And I'm not about to argue with Ru...

So next year I'm going to stop caring what everyone else thinks & do things for me.

I'm going to take more leaps of faith because what good comes out of staying in your comfort zone?

I'm going to learn to say no more. In the past I've felt bad in case I let people down or I've felt like I had to say yes, but I'm going to start putting my priorities before everyone else's because if you don't put yourself first who will?

2020 will be the year I graduate from university & smash it (I'm speaking this into existence!)

This year I'll continue to find new places to travel to & make new memories in. I'll keep reading & doing things for me.

It's another year of memories with family & loved ones.

It's another year to be grateful for everything I have in life - including my health.

And it's another year of self-discovery, self-love & self-care.

So this year I won't be scared to love & laugh too much. I won't be scared to make mistakes - life's too short. This year I'll appreciate the gift that is life, & I'll try my hardest to enjoy & savour every moment that I can.

I'm looking forward to 2020 & all it has to bring. Not because it's a 'new year new me', but because it's another year I can work towards my goals & continue to strive to be the best version of myself.

So here's to 2020 & being unapologetically me this year! xoxo