It’s sad when you’re laying here, tucked up in bed and regretting having ever lived a precious year of your life. I have had those thoughts every day for months, before I have to remind myself that in actual fact; 2016 has been one of the best years of my life.
Let’s take a ride in the time machine and rewind back. Where was I? What was I doing? Who was I giving my time to? Well, I started the year off with a similar post to this with my 2016 goals, which I am ecstatic to stay I smashed all of my goals which are outlined throughout the post.
Who was I and who am I now?
I was a quiet, isolated and negative person who cried most days and nights, questioned her existence in life and felt like a failing waste of space. I’m now living my career dreams in London, continuing to run an established and successful blog and feeling fulfilled, happy and laughing and smiling every day. Happiness truly is an amazing feeling.
6 things that 2016 taught me:
1) It was ok to lose myself but it was important to find myself again.
2) I’m not difficult to love – I’m actually very easy to love and please.
However, a new relationship has made me believe in love again. It’s all still very new and in all honesty, I am still healing. I always thought I would have trust issues in people but when someone new in your life treats you in a way you have never been treated before; those initial trust issues just disappear.
We are hours away from starting a new year and I am going into it feeling like a woman. Having always been treated as a girl, a temporary thing, a possibility, an option; it’s quite a weird feeling being put first and on top of the list of someone’s priorities. I am usually that person who puts the people I love before anything and everything else. To receive that back is very refreshing and completely alien to me. I really don’t think I could be happier right now.
3) I didn’t stop chasing my dreams.
I work with the most amazing ladies which has led to precious friendships. In all honesty, there hasn’t been a day where I have felt really alone since I started this job. I handle the blogger outreach side of things (dreamy!), which is amazing as it means I get to work with a huge network of people that I have known for so long anyway.
beautyqueenuk says
Aw this is such a fab post and it has definitely been a year of learning about who you are and it sounds as though Elsie has been part of that journey x
beingashleigh says
Elsie has really pulled me through some tough times! Love her to bits 🙂
Ashleigh x
MichelleTwinMum says
What an amazing post, so much and has happened for you this last year and you seem to have made a massive leap forward, big well done. Mich x
beingashleigh says
Thanks so much Michelle. x
Jenny says
Sounds like you're ending the year on a high. All the best for 2017.
beingashleigh says
Thanks Jenny. All the best to you too.
Ashleigh x
Jess | The Indigo Hours says
It sounds like you've learnt so much this year and I'm so glad to hear you're in a much happier place now ♥ happy new year, best wishes for 2017 xx
beingashleigh says
Thanks so much Jess x
Jennifer Durrans says
This year has been mad but there's always a new one to try new things and move forward. Xx
beingashleigh says
I definitely agree with this one Jennifer! I have so much to look forward to in 2017 🙂
Ashleigh x
Unknown says
I hope you continue on this upward path for 2017!
beingashleigh says
Thanks Camilla. x
Gem says
I hope you continue to build o all of your amazing acheivements in 2017, you should be really proud of yourself.
beingashleigh says
Thank you Gem. This means a lot 🙂
Ashleigh x
Eloise says
This post got me a little teary! I really wish you the best with your new relationship, and I want to follow your zero fucks given attitude to blogging about more personal stuff! xx
beingashleigh says
Thank you Eloise, your words mean a lot. You definitely should! It takes so much weight off my shoulders when I write and share about what's on my mind. x
SARBThoughts says
These are amazing lessons to learn. Sadly it always takes us so long to realise these simple ones.
beingashleigh says
It really does. Happy New Year, Shannon 🙂
Ashleigh x
Rebecca Smith says
2016 has been amazing for you in so many ways – so proud of you for landing the beauty PR job, its perfect for you x
Unknown says
So much has happened for you in 2016, it does sound like it has been a great year for you overall especially when you write it all out like this. Happy New Year, I hope 2017 is wonderful for you! x
Beth Bayes says
I really loved this post, you are so inspiring and look fab in all the pics!
Beth xx
http://www.myfunsizedlife.com
Unknown says
So much happened in 2016 for everyone, it seems! Its really nice to see that for so many people 2016 was a year of learning! I hope 2017 is similar in only the good ways.
-carryonbeautiful.com
kittynecessity says
Balancing Individuality and oneness in relationship definitely requires a lot of mindful work. I tend to lose myself, too in a relationship and learned how important having time by yourself truly is. Wonderful insights you have gained this year and wish you a wonderful 2017 🙂
KatrinaJeanCarter.wordpress.com
Danielle Victoria says
Loved reading this post, its sounds as though you've had an amazing year full of great experiences. I love your little pup too she is such a cutie. Hope you have an amazing 2017 xx
Danielle Miss Sunshine & Sparkle