See you on the flip side 2020

From mumps to speeding tickets, I should've known that 2020 would be awful from just January alone. Which is sad, because I had high hopes for the start of the new decade, having had such an amazing 2019. Naturally, last year's end of year blog post was a lot more gushing and optimistic than this one is going to be, but I'm also not one for all doom and gloom either. Instead, I thought I would find a silver lining to every reason that I'll be glad to see the back of 2020!

In 2020, I only got to go on two holidays

But on the flip side, I still got to go on two holidays

You all know I love my holidays, and I think one of the worst things about 2020 has been the painful lack of them. Especially since I was meant to be going to Cologne, to Dublin, to Turkey, to Cyprus and on an African safari! Although I'm sad not to have been anywhere in nearly a year, I did still start 2020 in Berlin and I did still manage a cute little trip to Venice in February. And put into perspective, I know that just shows how lucky I am. If dismal to me means only two holidays then I've obviously got it pretty good. And you best believe that when holidays are back on the table (for real this time), you won't see me for a long time!

In 2020, Covid cancelled everything

But on the flip side, I got to experience new things

Along with holidays, pretty much all other forms of fun and frolics went out the window too. Spa days, restaurants, bars, night clubs, shopping, seeing friends. Everything was a big fat no (and is again thanks to our incompetent government but that's a rant for another time). And while I miss all the things I used to love, the unique situation we've found ourselves in this past year has presented an opportunity to enjoy things I wouldn't normally think to do. Like drive-in cinemas, sunflower patches, winter walks, at-home date nights, farmers market trips, days at the safari park, crazy golf, rowboats on the lake, picnics in the park, and bottomless brunch via Zoom. I may not have been able to do the things I normally would but I've still had a hell of a lot of fun. Life is what you make it afterall!

In 2020, I was unhappy in my job

But on the flip side, I was able to quit

Part of the reason that the first lockdown was so tough for me was because I was battling with being desperately unhappy, unrelated to coronavirus restrictions, at the same time. I'm sure everyone's been unhappy in their job at one time or another (I certainly have before) but with nothing to do but work and sleep, it really heightens that feeling of unhappiness and puts it under the magnifying glass. While you might normally go to work miserable Monday to Friday and then have a great night out with the girls at the weekend to keep your spirits up (and your spirits downed wahay), in lockdown there's nothing to do to keep the balance. Luckily, I had Ollie and my parents to keep me balanced instead. With them to support me, I was able to quit and I'm now enjoying life as a lady of leisure. A job title I'm rather loving actually!

In 2020, I was separated from friends and family

But on the flip side, I learnt that loved ones are never very far away

Every year, my end of year blog post contains something along the lines of how happy I've been to be surrounded by such amazing people. It's continually my favourite thing about my life. I have an amazing close family, I have incredible friends and as of 2019, I have the best boyfriend too. Being unable to spend time with the ones I love most has undoubtedly been the hardest thing about this year but it's made me appreciate them all even more if that's possible. And whether you think about it literally (Zoom, phone call, group chat), or figuratively (in your heart), this year has definitely shown me that loved ones are never very far away. Well, apart from the obligatory 1+ metres of course.

In 2020, I lost myself

But on the flip side, I found myself again

This past year has been difficult for all of us, for many different reasons and I won't for one second pretend that I've had it the worst. But I did feel like I lost myself for a while. I was struggling with anxiety (brought on by coronavirus shielding), I was feeling low and depressed all the time, I wasn't making time for things I enjoy, I struggled without having anything to look forward to and I just felt adrift from my former self. But I'm both proud, glad and relieved that I managed to find myself again. I quit my job, I got re-inspired with fashion, I found fun things to do inside of the rules, I rediscovered my motivation, I changed my outlook on the coronavirus mess and I moved in with the love of my life. Selling my house and making Ollie's house our home has undoubtedly been my favourite thing about 2020 and while the year may go down in history for all the wrong reasons, it will also go down in mine and Ollie's history for one very amazing one.

2021

I won't make any stupidly optimistic statements about this year being "my year", or everything changing just because the calendar has. But I do feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel. Despite the third lockdown just beginning, the vaccine is on the way and other countries have proved that this is beatable so I'm cautiously hopeful that this year may start badly but end better. And in the interest of looking on the positive side, I thought I'd take a look at my resolutions and goals for this year. Not before reviewing with how I did with last year's though of course!

1. Save money

I only made one resolution in 2020 which was to save money, having burned through my savings in the process of buying and furnishing my house. Thanks to lockdown preventing me from spending my money in all the ways I'm used to, I was able to save again! Although I never expected the circumstances that allowed it, this resolution got a big fat tick. 

And what about this year? Well, as I've already said, I'm feeling inspired again and I'm excited about the year to come. My resolution list is back up to the magic number and I have a few things that I'm aiming for this year.

1. Be less wasteful

I think the environment is something that we're all more focused on lately and while I already started to cut down on my meat consumption back in 2019, I'm starting to look at other ways that I can do my bit. I hold my hands up; my travel/holiday requirements are not something I'm willing to sacrifice (sorry not sorry) but in 2021 I am going to focus on being less wasteful. I already like to hope I don't waste too much; I resell or donate old clothes/gadgets/belongings and I make a conscious effort to meal plan in a way that doesn't waste food. But certainly where plastic is concerned, my goal is to be even better this year.

2. Read more

I've loved reading ever since I was young and you may remember a popular little blog series I like to call Jenni from the book. Well, I've not been reading so much lately and it's something I miss. I also think it's a good way to escape screen time and it makes me feel weirdly productive too! I'm going to shoot for atleast 5 books this year (that means atleast one Jenni from the book post) so we'll see how I get on!

3. Get a new job

I can't lie, I'm loving the unemployed life. I feel so at peace and content and stress-free and I think this period is something that I really needed after last year. And I'm certainly keeping busy with making our new house a home! But that project won't take forever and I'm a career woman at heart. So I'm excited to see where my path takes me in 2021, job wise and otherwise...