A few things I learned in 2015…

Another year is almost over and it’s time to look ahead to 2016. New resolutions will no doubt be made and broken, but hopefully it will be another exciting year.

2015 has been a bit of a whirlwind (where has the time gone?!) but I’ve done quite a lot. Very pleased I’ve managed to do more travelling – something I’m hoping to keep up in 2016. I started a blog, and have kept it up (although admittedly there was a period of silence!) – hopefully I will keep it going this next year, or if not, start something new. I graduated and have my first ‘grown-up’ job. I still sometimes wonder when I stopped being a student, and what I’m doing in this strange and unfamiliar adult world, but it’s getting easier. This time last year I read a friend’s post about what she learned over the past year. It seemed like a good opportunity to reflect – so here’s my attempt:

1. If you put a lot of effort into something, it will be appreciated. It just might take a while for you to feel appreciated.
2. Walking in the same direction is a great way to learn more about someone.
3. You may not feel older and wiser, but to someone you will be so be prepared to help them.
4. Equally, someone else is older and wiser than you so heed their advice.
5. I love cooking a lot more than I ever thought I would.
6. Getting excited about spice racks and frying pans is possibly a sign of growing old, or possibly it’s a sign I’m happy where I am.
7. You don’t have to be best friends with someone for them to care about you and have their heart in the right place.
8. A cleaner house instantly makes me into a happier person.
9. If I’m relaxed when I’m away, then I should go away more often.
10. When you miss your friends life can be really hard, but it makes the moments you spend with them even more precious.
11. There’s nothing quite like dancing.
12. When you don’t have a set reading list, having had one for so long, you do one or a combination of several things: write your own reading list, don’t read at all, read complete rubbish until you feel ready to tackle a ‘proper book’ again.
13. It’s ok to get hooked on trashy TV series – everyone else does!
14. Living in a house of boys isn’t as clean as in a house of girls, but that’s not always bad and it can be more relaxing.
15. The best friends are those you can go months without seeing – but next time you see them it’s as if no time has passed at all.
16. York is one of the best places ever.
17. The person who makes you feel warm inside is the right person.
18. You don’t always have to have a plan, and it’s ok to take some time out sometimes.
19. My dog gets more wonderful everyday.
20. This was a lot harder than I thought it would be – perhaps one of my resolutions for next year needs to be to reflect more!

Happy New Year everyone! And thanks to everyone who has been part of my 2015.