2016 was a hard one for us all, but if you're reading this, you made it through to the end! Pat yourself on the back. (And take cover, because there's every chance 2017 is going to be even worse!) Anyway, here's what 2016 taught me:
• You can't expect someone to save you, or come along and solve all of your problems. Your life is your own battle.
• Life is rarely plain sailing, it's a bit of a fight. So, sometimes you've got to put yourself first, and you shouldn't be made to feel guilty for that.
• It's hard to come back to blogging when you've had to neglect your blog for so long. It's a bit like starting all over again from scratch.
• Sometimes, sitting down with a cup of tea (or coffee!) and a biscuit can solve all manner of problems. And put an end to bad moods, too.
• If you're grumpy, try eating and drinking some water. I'm finally beginning to work out when I'm hangry. (And it's more often than I previously thought.)
• Not everything goes to plan. Dealing with it can be hard. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to make the big 'life plan' come true. There's nothing you can do to make everything run smoothly; it's all about rolling with the punches.
• Not everyone's going to like you. It's not always your own fault. There's no point in wasting energy trying to change their minds.
• Running two blogs is way harder than it looks. And oh so stressful!
• Life shouldn't be spent cooped up in one corner of your room, sat at your desk all the time. The world is out there, and it's ripe for exploring!
• Photography is a saviour. Having my camera in my hand is the only thing that genuinely makes me feel happy right now.
• Writing is like free therapy. It doesn't have to be a blog post. Write in your diary. Write a letter to someone. Just write. It's good for your soul.
• You have to let some people go. Trying to hold on to them can be painful and hard. Don't beat yourself up. (And, sometimes, it's a relief to let certain people go too!)
• People drift apart. People drift back together after time apart. People pull away, and if they do, let them. Don't try and chase them. It's not worth the hassle, or your tears.
• I think I'm a forgettable person. I wrote a whole blog post on this subject that'll probably never see the light of day. People forget I exist, they can't place me. This worries me.
• No matter how old you get, users still exist. They'll drain your energy and toss you aside like you never mattered to them. Then they'll move on to their next victim. And do you know what? You're way better off without them.
• Life is either a maelstrom or completely stagnant. There's no middle ground.
What did you learn last year?
