This time of year you can’t go anywhere on the internet without seeing New Year’s resolutions. I do enjoy reading other people’s resolutions / yearly review posts but they get repetitive pretty quickly. I don’t want to bore you but I do want to indulge myself in celebrating what I’ve achieved this year with an anti-bucket list. I’ve borrowed the idea of listing what I’ve done rather than things I want to do from the lovely What Olivia Did and Girl Lost in the City.
I distinctly remember sitting on this exact spot on the sofa last year and feeling like poop, stewing in my hangover blues until James suggested I pull myself together and go for a walk. I was browsing the internet that evening and came across Kate Gabrielle’s idea for keeping a “good things” jar where you write down happy moments throughout the year. I thought this would be a good pick me up and a great way to celebrate the big and the little moments. This year I filled my own jar with achievements so that I could look back and remember the things I’ve accomplished. I hope you don’t mind if I share these with you!
- Tackled public speaking. Of all the things that strike fear into my heart, speaking in public is the very worst. I hate it and there was a time in my life that I thought I would never be able to do anything that involved talking to a group. This year I had two assessed presentations for my Master’s degree which I got through without leaving / having a panic attack and with good grades. Because I was so nervous I messed up in both of them but managed to pause, gather myself and carry on. I’m actually most proud of myself for persevering through these mistakes despite the overwhelming urge to freak out. Go me!
- Got some decent grades. I did well on some courses that I found particularly challenging – including a carbon management plan, my module in participation, planning and policy and my principles of sustainable development exam.
- Graduated from my degree. Yay! I enjoy aspects of academia but writing academically doesn’t come naturally to me and I wouldn’t always have believed that I’m capable of doing well in an MSc. Working alongside writing my dissertation was a particular challenge but I did it!
- Got a job. Can you believe it!?!? Me neither. This is really my first graduate level job and last year I never thought I would be capable of landing one. After my first degree I had no success job hunting, I lost all confidence in myself and my thoroughly debilitating nerves sabotaged every interview. I love my job, I don’t dread going to work in the mornings and I’m good at what I do. What a novelty!
- Travelled to Berlin, The Isle of Skye and The Isle of Man. These are all places I’ve wanted to see for years so it was awesome to afford to be able to go this year. They all surpassed my expectations, but the highlight for me was the vegan food in Berlin.
- Visited Northern Ireland and Greece. I’ve been to both of these places before but I still love visiting and I cherish these holidays with my family.
- Grew my social media channels. Okay, okay, so my follower numbers are still teeny tiny but I have at least improved. Social media doesn’t come naturally to me but it’s nice to share moments of my life with friends and share the things that I write. I’ve got better at updating twitter and instagram this year!
- Re-discovered my interest in music. When I was younger the music that I listened to and bands that I liked were a much bigger part of my life. I somehow managed to lose that as I got older but I’ve been spending time discovering new music which has been good for the soul. James and I went to see Garbage and Marilyn Manson and I’m so excited to be booked for Primavera this year!
As for resolutions I only have one – do more yoga. I know that I feel more relaxed and more comfortable in my own skin when I do yoga regularly. Sometimes I lack the motivation to leave the flat or can’t afford to pay for the class. Because I know that I’ll be too stiff to do a lot of the poses I’ve been putting off going but this year I will make it a priority. I’d love to hear what you achieved this year and I hope you have a beautiful 2016!!
It sounds like last year was wonderful in so many ways. My biggest goal for this year is to start bringing in a steady income. Whether that’s more consistent freelancing or finding a post that doesn’t make me dread going into work every day I don’t mind. Fingers crossed! I hope 2016 is kind to you lovely <3
Good luck with your goals – having a steady income for the last 6 months certainly has made a bg difference to my life and I’m sure you can do it! I hope you have a wonderful year
xx
Lovely idea about the achievements jar, Jess. Positivness (is that a word?) seems lacking in much of our lives these days, and it’s so much better than the alternative! Would it help you to do those yoga poses you remember at home, when you can’t get to a class? Do you ever see any used yoga book you might buy & keep around for those days? That’s what I used to do. Just a thought. All best wishes for your 2016! xx
Positivity? Although positiveness is a brilliant word too
I prefer going to a class so I can be adjusted – I worry about doing the yoga poses wrong and injuring myself. I will keep my eye out for a book though, it’s a great idea. It would be great to integrate more exercise into my daily routine! I hope your 2016 is glorious xx
Wonderful idea Jess! It sounds really wonderful to list your achievements. I am absolutely the WORST at this, I am NEVER satisfiedwith anything I’ve done. You’ve had such a good year – congats on all your success and I am certain your successes will continue into next year
xx
Thank you – I certainly hope so! Although it is a little daunting being outside of the structure of education / an institutional 9 to 5. You live such an amazing life – you SHOULD be proud of everything! xx
This is a great idea, writing down the year’s accomplishments! Whenever you feel low, you can look back at this post and remind yourself just how great a job you’ve been doing! And I missed the info that you had gotten a job–fabulous!! It sounds like 2016 will be your best year yet!
You’re right, it is a great pick me up and I have been re-reading it already! January isn’t the easiest month. I hope your 2016 is wonderful
It looks like you had a fab 2015! I haven’t heard on the anti-bucket list before but think it’s great so might do it too! Look forward to reading more posts
#thegirlgang
Karis x
http://www.practicaleverafter.co.uk
Oh, do let me know if you write one. I’d love to read about your year! Thanks for stopping by
x
Well, congratulations on a very good year! Good luck with yoga. I should do more myself!
Thank you – it was fun to look back! Yoga is always good for the soul
Thank you, Jess! Should think that as long as you aren’t in pain, and are not pushing yourself to strain, your yoga poses should be fine. You might see a nice dvd in some charity shop that could assist. You never know! Hope you’re continuing to enjoy your job, and your online shop! xx