wrapping up 2016

So here I sit by the blue lamp in a blue room reflecting on 2016 and what doors I allowed myself to open and close. Today’s post is going to be more lengthy, more chatty, more personal and less philosophical. So grab yourself a warm drink, a snack to nibble on and join me on saying goodbye to this past year – the lows and the highs.

My blogging world:

After my GCSE exams finished in the middle of June, I dedicated more time to writing on my blog, and more time to discovering other bloggers. Along the way, I found myself creating friendships with some amazing bloggers, and feeling the support of a sweet blogosphere. In particular, I’d like to thank Allie, Anna, Chloe, Elm, Kate and Tanya for exchanging never ending emails with me and going out of their way to leave lovely comments on my blog frequently. There are so many more people that are equally as wonderful, and this is evident when you scroll through the comments or stop by their blogs.

I really love blogging and reading your comments on my blog fill me with warmth. I never really imagined my blog expanding to nearly 300 followers neither interacting with bloggers in the comments. When you stop and think about it, it’s a weird yet happy feeling realising people actually care about what you write. This year I decided to jump out of my comfort zone and approach much admired bloggers for collaborations, and needless to say, I had so much fun working with them. I also started a series called Project Taboo which seeks to highlight the importance of topics shoved under the carpet so if any of you would love to partake, let me know!

I would love to say a massive thank you for supporting me, and I sincerely appreciate every one of you. You’re all beautiful.

 

Lessons I discovered this year:

• it’s okay to feel inadequate, it’s okay to want to cry, and it’s okay to crawl towards your goal at a slug pace. don’t let the determination die out, keep fighting through your tears and you will get there.
• true friendships are meant to survive anything; the ones that love you will always be there for you at your lowest. time, distance won’t effect it.
• self doubt and lack of self confidence can really distort your thoughts; it preys on your happiness, your feeling of security and feeling whole. don’t let it ruin you – teach yourself why you should trust yourself, why you are capable of everything and after every fall build yourself up with self love. you are your greatest weapon – you can either self destruct or combat life how you know it
• don’t hide your passions – who cares if people judge you by the cover. fight for what makes you you and share it with the people you love and as you feel more comfortable, share it with the world. shout it from the rooftop.
• remember to breathe. remember to disconnect from your racing worries. and remember to indulge yourself with things that make you smile
• hardwork rules. you will improve, you will succeed and you will prove them wrong
• reach out to someone when you’re about to collapse. even if it’s a stranger, or a friend or family member. there’s even childline. even if you don’t address the roots of your problems, it helps relieve the weight just a little.

This year I’m proud of:

• My GCSE results
• Getting my first part time job
• My three month job review
• Becoming a prefect
• My volunteer work
• My blog
• My determination
• My friendships

Things to look forward to in 2017:

• reading everyday before I go to bed
• restarting my sketchbook
• starting afresh on instagram (my new account is whispersofart)

• maintaining friendships and strengthening them
• blogging and writing
• drinking more water
• getting into a good revising habit
• playing the piano every few days
• spending more time with my brother
• the series of unfortunate events airing in January and Pretty Little Liars in April

I sort of stopped making new year’s resolutions every year. Instead I decided to create a list of things I wanted to get back into, or do at some point in the year. That way, it felt more realistic and achievable.

Quotes I want to share with you:

use your mistakes to build stairs not walls

be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire

doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will

be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody

and I think I’ll wrap up today’s sentimental, reflective post now. I haven’t really written a post like this ever, and it feels kinda weird but also a good different.

I just want to finish by letting you all know that if you ever need someone to lend you a supporting arm, or a listening ear, I am always here for you.

email: flawedsilence@gmail.com

instagram: whispersofart

Keep smiling beautifuls xx