Lessons learned from 2016

Another year is almost over and it’s time to look ahead to 2017. There are some parts of 2016 which have shocked and upset a lot of people and are best left in 2016, but although it has been a year of highs and lows, overall I’ve had a pretty good year.

At the start of the year I wrote a list of what I wanted to get out of the year and I did quite well. I managed to visit the places that I had planned to (and a few more!). I took a blogging course, proved to myself that I could Foxtrot and got a permanent job. I started the year brushing up my French and trying to learn German via Duolingo, but unfortunately didn’t keep it going throughout the whole year… Last year I had a brief reflection on what I had learned in 2015, so now it is time to have a look at which lessons have come out of 2016.

1. Life will often lead you to the exact place you were trying not to be.
2. Living at home isn’t that bad, but I really hate the phrase “boomerang kid”.
3. In Cumbria, a car = freedom. Getting a car was one of the best decisions I made this year.
4. I read a lot less since I finished my degree, but it is still something I really enjoy.
5. Living with boys does not require the sympathetic groan that most people give you.
6. Having friends in different countries is a great excuse to go travelling, and it is really interesting to see those friends in different settings.
7. Equally, having friends spread out all over the place can be really difficult. There are only so many weekends in the year for visiting people.
8. You can’t keep in touch with everyone, but the people who matter will make some effort too.
9. Long distance relationships are hard, but they do have silver linings.
10. I love and hate social media in equal measure.
11. Running is a lot easier on the flat.
12. There isn’t anything more painful than a broken heart.
13. When you need a friend, your friends will be there for you.
14. There is always room for french patisserie.
15. Travelling alone gets easier, particularly if you have a plan.
16. The best experiences are shared with someone you care about.
17. Your first gingerbread house will never be perfect.
18. You are not a failure if you need a day off work.
19. University freshers make me feel really old.
20. Seeing the people you care about do really well is one of the greatest things you can witness.

Happy New Year everyone! And thanks to everyone who has been part of my 2016.