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.