10 THINGS THAT'VE MADE ME HAPPY THIS YEAR

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2014 is coming to an end. As much as I'm happy to see it go, I've been appreciating how special this year has been for me. Like everyone, I've had my ups and my downs but I definitely think this year has been one of the best. I wanted to take the time to reflect on the things that have made me happy.

1. My health

This is something I'm thankful for. Despite bouts of IBS during Summer, I've been in good health. I'm also thankful for my family's health. This time of year you always see snippets on the TV of people with terrible conditions, for things like Text Santa, it makes you appreciate your own life, and realise how quickly things can change. 

2. Becoming more cultured/days out in London

I spent a lot of time with my mum this year. She loves going to Central London and getting up to different things. We've been to the David Bailey exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery, spent days on the South Bank eating crepes and ice creams, we visited Martin Creed's exhibition at the Hayward Gallery and more recently, we saw the poppies at the Tower of London. 

I've bought her a book for Christmas called Tired of London, Tired of Life and it has every single day of the year listed on it with all the things you could do for each day. Hopefully she won't read this before Christmas day! I can imagine we'll get up to even more things next year! Love mother/daughter time. 

3. Closing unhealthy chapters of my life 

I don't want to go into too much detail for this part. In a nutshell: at the start of the year I went through some changes and it made me evaluate whether the things I had in my life were making me happy. The answer was no. At the time I was quite bitter but now I look back on it I know that it was for the best and I'm in a much happier place. 

4. Being more valued at work 

This year I had a promotion at work and it gave me a lot more responsibility. I'm happy with how much I've grown and become more of an authority figure. 

However, I still dislike my job. Whilst I'm content with everything I've achieved, I know that I'm wasted in a retail job, especially when I've gone to university for 3 years and studied something I really want to get into. Don't get me wrong; there are good days and I love the people I work with, but you put in so many hours (and it's incredibly tiring) and you soon come to realise you could be working less hours and have a better paid, more respectable job. 

This is going to be my key focus for next year. I'm going to get a new job and actually save for a pension. God, I'm getting old!

5. Falling in love

This is inevitably going to be very soppy. Sick buckets at the ready! 

The main thing that's made me happy this year is meeting my boyfriend. I met him after I went through some of the changes earlier in the year, and I wasn't looking for anyone at all. At the time I wanted to be single and enjoy my freedom after coming out of a relationship. I guess he was just a welcome surprise. 

We've been together for 6 months, which doesn't seem long, but it's been one of the best 6 months ever. I've never felt this way about a person - so comfortable and excited about our future. He's pretty special to me. 

6. Summer

Summer was probably the best time I've had this year: I met my boyfriend, went to London Zoo, enjoyed many nights out and dinners with friends, spent time in Dorset (where I rode on a bike for the first time in years, visited Monkey World, walked up a steep cliff to see Durdle Door and visited lots of beaches), I attended my first christening and it was my first time abroad. 

It was the best Summer I've ever had. Hopefully next year will match up to it!

7. First time on a plane

As I've just mentioned, I went on my first holiday abroad and it was the first time I've been on a plane. Now, I don't love flying and I don't think I ever will but it was good to do it after so long. 

I went to Gran Canaria with my boyfriend. We ate so much food, soaked up the sun and watched a lot of True Movies and Storage Hunters (don't ask!) 

8. Being sensible with my money

I've been in my overdraft ever since I graduated from university over a year ago. I found out a few months ago that I was paying too much tax so I got almost 2 years' worth of tax back. That was a good day! I managed to get out of my overdraft and pay for my holiday. I'm working more hours at work now and I'm becoming more sensible with my money. I'm really enjoying being able to treat people for Christmas, at last!

9. Blogging direction

I like to think my blog has changed from last year/earlier this year. At the start of the year I wanted to make this blog more rounded, with a much bigger focus on lifestyle, and I think I'm finally getting there. I do love a clothes haul and a beauty review but my favourite posts to write are those telling you what I've been getting up to lately. 

I set myself some goals for my blog last December and I don't think I've achieved any of them but that's totally fine with me. It's not a race to the finish line. I lost inspiration for my blog during Summer and I think I'm finally getting to a place where I'm happy with it again. I hope next year brings even more blogging happiness and opportunity. 

10. Planning for the future 

I've got a few things I'm looking forward to next year: going to Egypt in April, seeing Fleetwood Mac again, my year anniversary with my boyfriend, and anything else that comes my way when it's 2015. 

After such an amazing 2014, I hope 2015 brings with it even more happiness.