We’ve reached that moment where we begin to wonder where the time has gone to and how 2017 has come to an end already. One minute it’s January 2017 and we’re excited for the fresh new start; then 12 months pass like a flash and we realise we’re about to go through the experience all over again. Not that I’m complaining because if anything it’s a relief! Let me explain.
2017 didn’t have the greatest start for me: I was unemployed, depressed and not far off being broke.
Convinced that I had hit rock bottom, it was time to admit that I needed help and by April I had moved back in with my parents and been put on antidepressants by my GP. I felt like an absolute failure but looking back now I can see that I’m stronger than I gave myself credit for. Also I’m lucky enough to have my parents, boyfriend and friends help bring me back to reality when I need them the most.
So despite all of that I did manage to turn things around and make it a not-so-bad year. I recently had a read through my goals for 2017 and surprised myself with what ones I ticked off the list!
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Figure Out What My Next Career Move is
I had been in and out of temp roles for so long that I had lost sight of what I wanted to do long term. It wasn’t till I start my now job back in June that I discovered what I genuinely enjoy doing! Now I go to work every day knowing that even a challenging day will still be a good day and I’m excited to see what 2018 brings career wise.
Also did I mention that I passed my 6 month probation last month AND got a pay rise?
Start Saving Money for Future Plans
Now that I’m living with my parents again, I’m in a fortunate position where I can afford to put some money aside each month. Since having a regular income I’ve been using the 50-30-20 budget rule and so far it seems to be working okay. Whether I’ll need to use what little I have for a rainy day or if I can spend it however I choose to is still debatable but it’s good to know that it’s there.
Put My Mental Health First
This was my most challenging goals for the year yet the most important one for me to get right. Allowing myself to have a day of doing nothing whilst not feeling guilty about it was difficult; so was being honest with friends and family when cancelling plans because I was having a bad mental health day. Even being put on antidepressants made me feel conflicted at first but I knew it was the right thing to do.
I would like to add that this is not me saying that I have got this to a T. There are some days where I feel overwhelmed with everything and want to hide from it all. I still have a long way to go and I’m happy that I’m in a better position than I was this time last year!
Then we have the unplanned moments of the year that couldn’t have gone better if I tried. The ones that make all the downfalls seem that bit more minuscule.
- I was invited to my first London restaurant review in February which turned into a date night with the boyfriend.
- I went up to Leicester for the weekend to stay with Emmie from Carpe Diem Emmie and had the best time! We even met up with Dee and Kirstie which made me realise how important my blogger friends are to me.
- Speaking of Dee, she surprised me one day with tickets to see The Cursed Child which was such a magical experience! After the show we met with the cast at stage door and managed to snap a few selfies before calling it a night.
- The boyfriend and I went on our first trip away to Copenhagen and fell in love with the city! So much so that I’m even planning to go back this year and see my friend Sofie again.
- Ali Caitrin went through a rebrand to better represent what I want to achieve as well as a few more changes along the way.
So there we have it! 2017 is now behind us and we can now begin with a new fresh start. Whether you’ve set yourself some goals for the year or decided to go with the flow, I hope we all achieve some amazing things in 2018! I for one am glad that 2017 is over and rooting for this year to be the one for me!
Good Riddance to 2017 and Welcome to 2018!
Portrait Photography by Kaye at Fordtography
I enjoyed reading your post- thanks for sharing-. I could relate a lot to your experiences and having an up and down year in 2017. Which makes me hopeful as well for 2018. It’s the fresh start I need to leave all the challenges, guilt, shame and painful lessons behind in order to move forward. Hope your year is great!
Author
Thanks Kylie, I’m so glad you enjoyed the read and felt you could relate to it 🙂 Hope 2018 is good for you too!
Your welcome, and thanks. 🙂
Congrats on making it through this year, and looking back proudly! It’s so easy to lose sight of oneself sometimes, and that you took care of yourself and feel better now is the most important thing that could have happened! (Also yay for good support! And a pay rise!)
I hope you will have a great new year, and can built on the strength that got you through 2017! And I’m in favour of autumn related pictures anyway, but they fit your post really well :).
Author
Thank you for all your kind words 🙂 I found it quite therapeutic reflecting on the year surprisingly, even if it wasn’t the best year I’ve had. Happy New Year and I hope you 2018 will be great for you too!
How cute are you playing in the leaves?! Those are such charming photos, Kaye has done a brilliant job! It really sounds like you’ve turned your year around and have some positive memories to look back on, especially meeting with your blogger friends! I have recently moved to Leicester and I’m hoping to meet up with Emmie as well, she’s a total babe! I’ve actually never heard of the 50-30-20 budget rule, so I’m off to read up on that after this post because having more money management tips can never be a bad thing! Wishing you all the best for 2018!
Abbey 😘 http://www.abbeylouisarose.co.uk
Author
Kaye is so talented, and also patient as it took a few attempts because I kept shutting my eyes whenever I chucked the leaves haha! Definitely research some budgeting tips if you’re looking to save, I just chose the first one I saw with good reviews so if you find any better ones let me know. Happy New Year and I hope you have a great 2018 🙂
Loving your photos. They are stunning! It is always good to reflect on the past year to move on and be ready for the new year! wishing you all the best for 2018! xx corinne
Author
Thank you Corinne, Kaye makes me look good haha! Writing this post was definitely a great way to reflect as well being able to look back on it whenever I need it. Happy New Year to you too and I hope you have an awesome 2018 🙂
“Good riddance to 2017”, I love that you put that at the end of this post. You went through so much this year, but I’m glad to see you overcome the struggles. My 2017 wasn’t great either, but we made it and I’m sure 2018 will be much better!
x Envy
Author
Thanks I’m glad you liked how I ended it 😉 I’m sorry to hear that last year wasn’t the best but I hope 2018 will be a lot better for you! Happy New Year Envy 🙂
Ali – it’s so inspiring to see how you managed to turn things around in 2017! I know we’re only 2 days into the year but 2018 has been crap for me so far so this has given me a bit of hope that things can improve. I hope 2018 is wonderful to you! xxx
Author
Awh thank you Jenny that means a lot 🙂 and I’m sorry to hear that 2018 hasn’t gone off to a great start. On the plus side, there is plenty of time for it to turn around and I hope the rest of the year goes better for you because you deserve it!
It’s always interesting to see that even though things have seemed bad that there is often light there too. I am happy that things are turning around for you and seeming brighter going into 2018.
My 2018 is starting from a difficult place, but I am hoping and praying it can be sorted.
Here’s to a brighter 2018 for us all.
x
Author
Thank you Emma, it wasn’t exactly my best year but I’m glad some great things came out of 2017 too! I hope 2018 is a great year for us all and pays off for last year being so difficult lol 🙂
Happy new year! Congrats on turning 2017 around. It takes a lot of strength and courage to admit you need help, so remember that. Hope 2018 is really, really good for you!
Author
Happy New Year Aimee 🙂 and thank you for your kind words it really means a lot you saying that. I hope 2018 is a great year for you too!
2017 seemed to be ‘that’ year for everyone, I’m glad you made it through it and turned it around and had some positives. Hope 2018 is full of even more positives for you 😄
Author
I have noticed that most people online are glad that 2017 is over so hopefully this year will have more positives than negatives! Happy New Year Tracy and I hope 2018 is great for you 🙂
Aw I just saw this! Your friend Sofie would very much like for you to come back to Copenhagen soon too!
Happy New Year! <3
Author
YAY! I’ll start saving now 😉 Happy Belated New Year to you too!
I’m sorry 2017 was a bit of a struggle for you, but I bet 2018 will be so much better and it sounds like you’re a lot stronger now. I’m sure that your career and your blog are going to go far this year, too 🙂
alicered.co.uk
Author
No worries Alice, I have a feeling that this year will be a better one anyway! I read your recent post by the way and I’m sorry to hear you’re taking a step back with your YouTube channel. I completely understand why so I’m glad you’re still focusing on your blog as you are one of my faves 🙂
I’m sorry 2017 was a bit rough for you. But I am sure 2018 will be so much better!
I know I’m looking forward to it myself! I have a good feeling about it.
xo E.
http://www.holaitserica.com
I’m sorry 2017 wasn’t that great for you, but I have every faith that 2018 is going to be THE year for you! Keep doing what you’re doing lovely xx