'New year, new me'

I always love welcoming the new year, I just love the thought of a completely new, clean slate.

However, the whole 'New year, new me ' thing I don't like. I personally believe that if you want to change something in your life, or in yourself YOU DO NOT NEED A NEW YEAR, you can change anything in your life whenever you want, why wait for a new year?

Although there's definitely not a 'new me' in for 2017, there are definitely a few things that I am going to do differently this year!

Read more and wind down properly before bed!

I have always loved reading ever since I was a little girl, I use to read to my mum before I went to sleep or she use to read to me...I still love to get into a good book but I will confess, I only read one book last year- 'All the bright places' I really enjoyed it and I have decided that I want to do lots of reading this year. I have just ordered these 3 books of amazon and I am going to start tonight! I would definitely recommend looking at books on amazon as you can get 3 for £10 with free delivery which is amazing, also a bonus is you can look at the reviews on the books.

Write more!

As well as reading, writing has always been my little escape and way of being creative; again since I was little, and although I love doing my blog... I miss picking up a pen and grabbing a note book and just writing. So I picked up my first new note book today, this one is for all my ideas related to my blog and my youtube channel! I am going to get another note pad to write down every day thoughts in as I use to keep a diary and I remember how much I loved it.

This lovely notepad is from Paper chase and I'll link it HERE.

Experience even more of the outdoors!

Last year I got to see some amazing places which I will NEVER forget and I really want to see and do even more outside rather than staying inside around the same surroundings. Whether it's walking, doing sports, photography, filming a video or just exploring I want to see even more of the world! 

Don't ask why I am using a photo of my indoor plants for this one! I just love my plants...

Choose Happy

No, I can't be happy 100% of the time, I mean who can? we're all human and it's natural to have down days, snap and start to think negatively,  however I really want to try and bring out the positives as much as I can from now on, I have been practicing this recently and It does make me feel so much more positive about everything! Obviously I still have my negative days but just thinking about the positives and what I'm grateful for makes me tonnes better than just picking out faults in everything!

These are just a few of the things that I want to concentrate on throughout 2017 and although there isn't a new me, this new year is a great opportunity for a clean slate and I am going to use it for sure! 

I hope 2017 is what you hoped for so far and I will be back soon with another post.

WHAT A YEAR!

I can't quite get my head around the fact that the last day of 2016 has been and gone, how crazy!?

When I think of 2016 as a year my brain seems to conjure up a complete blur of things, experiences and emotions that have taken place throughout the year.

 For me this all comes across as such a blur as 2016 feels like several years have passed rather than just one- simply because of how significantly my day to day life has changed:  how I have developed and changed as a person, how my surroundings have dramatically changed and also how I occupy my spare time differently, I've also visited and explored so many different places over the last year which I have absolutely loved and it just makes me want to travel more!

The biggest change

Obviously It is completely normal and part of life to experience changes throughout a year, however this year really has tested me and pushed me right out of my comfort zone and I am so grateful for it!

I would say the biggest change that I have gone through in 2016 was leaving school and practically entering the working world by starting an apprenticeship at the council! When I started considering my post 16 options in year 11 I did not imagine that I would be sat at my own desk, in a fully functioning office, with a job to do -as staying at school was my plan.

Trusting my gut and taking a leap of faith was definitely a giant step forward for me at this time as throughout year 11 I definitely struggled with anxiety and self confidence... but little did I know that I would develop so much through doing the apprenticeship!

 Yes this was me on my first day of my apprenticeship- why so serious? haha

Some of the adventures

In 2016 I visited quite a few new places:

Camber/Hastings 

This holiday sticks vibrantly in my mind as it was in the middle of when I was revising for my exams, I took my revision and did a little bit each day however I definitely allowed myself t relax and did lots of photography!

Volendam/Holland

I honestly had no idea what to expect from this holiday as I had never been to Holland or anywhere like it. I loved this holiday and everything about Holland but in particular Volendam- I feel like I could easily have stayed there- I love their ways of life; almost everyone travels by bikes, everyone was so friendly and also the town is so calm and beautiful- full of colour, lots of boats and happiness!

If you want to see more of my Volendam/Holland holiday then go over to my youtube channel as I daily vlogged whilst I was there, I'll link it HERE

Majorca!

Unfortunately when I was in Majorca I didn't take a lot of photos or vlog (I did one vlog I'll link it HERE) but although I didn't really document this holiday it was a really nice holiday- the weather was insane and the place we stayed in was beautiful! We went to some beautiful beaches, jumped of some big rocks and went to an awesome waterpark! I would definitely like to go back!

Camp de Marr was definitely my favourite place in Majorca and it has a lovely restaurant there!

Blackpool 

Most recently I went to blackpool for the first time, with my dad, Shona, Morgan and Liam! We went for a long weekend which gave us enough time to see some of the main attraction there: including Blackpool tower, the illuminations and a visit to Blackpool dungeons. I managed to vlog this holiday and I will link it HERE for you! I would definitely recommend Blackpool for a fun weekend away!

My firsts!

There have been a few firsts in 2016: 

Mine and Chad's first ever concert! Yes it took us that long to go to one, but typically they're really expensive or really far away etc. so when I saw that Jack Garratt was performing at the Engine Shed I had to get tickets! Not only did we get to go but we were literally right at the front! Me and Chad both love Jack's music and the atmosphere was insane. HERE is the vlog with the concert in.

Starting the gym! I use to be so scared of the thought of starting a gym- I thought everyone would look at me and that I wouldn't know what to do... I was so wrong and I should have started before. Me and Chad now go to the gym about 4 times a week and we love it, it helps me physically and also to wind down mentally. 

Starting youtube!

I was so skeptical about starting youtube at first, but when I trialled it out when I was in Holland- I absolutely loved it! It has definitely become one of my hobbies and It allows me to use some of my creative side. Since starting youtube I have 100% gained more confidence and discovered my love for film making/ being behind and in front of a camera. I was so surprised to reach 100 subscribers, the support means a lot! If you haven't had a look already then I will link my youtube channel HERE

I could go on and on about 2016 and the good and bad parts of it- but I don't want to make this post any longer so I will leave that for another day! I hope each and every one of you has a happy and prosperous 2017, make it a good one.