In a nutshell, 2017 was (probably?) the best year I’ve had in a very long time. Which, of course, has sent me into a guilt spiral because I can’t seem to make myself believe that I deserve nice things. On a personal level, the year wasn’t a cakewalk by any means, not to mention that the world in general feels very much like a darker and more scary place than ever. I’ve felt like most of the good stuff happened under a looming black cloud.
Still, a lot happened in 2017. Inspired by Laura Jane Williams, here’s my year in one long, dizzying list.
In 2017, I…
- cleaned my oven for the first time. It was gross.
- got a loft ladder installed (that I’m too scared to climb.)
- did a two writing courses.
- got a gym subscription.
- cancelled a gym subscription.
- had a smear test.
- saw Phil Collins live in Hyde Park. (Review: Better than you’d expect.)
- made time to see my sister and niece every month.
- did an intense(ish) course of driving lessons.
- sweated through my pants and trousers during every driving lesson.
- cried in several driving lessons.
- passed my driving test first time, much to everyone’s surprise. Especially my instructor’s.
- went for afternoon tea.
- developed more coping mechanisms for my fear of escalators.
- didn’t always manage to tackle every escalator.
- had to ask strangers for help on escalators when I had no other choice. (The HORROR.)
- submitted my first tax return.
- made my husband come to a drag show.
- planned and did a wedding.
- went on a narrowboat with friends.
- did my first postal vote.
- was extremely bratty and chose the biggest suite in the hotel for our wedding night. IT WAS HUGE.
- kept my freelance career going.
- went for a week in the sun with my new husband.
- drank at a swim-up bar for the first time.
- confronted a man who made a rude comment about my size while I showered next to the hotel pool. (Clearly assuming that I didn’t speak English.)
- bought my first car.
- went to McDonald’s on a date.
- became a wife.
- didn’t change my name.
- went viral.
- had business meetings.
- wrote a blog for the Huffington Post.
- appeared on a podcast.
- went to the cinema alone.
- enrolled at a local college.
- made fused glass jewellery.
- signed up for another glass course in 2018.
- cried every day.
- had an incredible Thanksgiving dinner cooked by a friend.
- got a big new client.
- listened to Shannon’s ‘Give Me Tonight’ more than any other song.
- held my new tiny baby niece, Ivy.
- bought two Christmas themed dresses.
- bought a large number of dresses, actually.
- felt safe.
- felt lucky.
- felt loved.
- felt like myself.
—
What does 2018 hold? A few good things are already lined up; some freelance jobs, a second glass course at college and new nephew should be arriving in the spring.
Through necessity, I’ve been a bit selfish with my time this year, but in 2018 I will be doing more to help other people, especially in my local community.
Whoever you are, wherever you are, I’d like to wish you a very happy New Year. I really hope that 2018 brings us all some joyful surprises.