Today is the last day of 2017. How am I spending it?
- I’m wearing deliciously comfortable loungewear (thank you Fern for inspiring me to buy these brushed cotton beauties).
- I’ve helped cook a mini feast for this evening.
- I’ve ditched the parties for a relaxing night in.
And I’m not sorry.
A quick review of 2017
I’ll be honest, 2017 hasn’t been the best. Globally and, to an extent, personally. The year has been dominated by Trump, Brexit negotiations and the #MeToo movement. The year of my anxiety coming back, heart ache and uncertainty. But I’m hoping the dissatisfaction, upheaval and difficulties of 2017 will pave the way for something better in 2018. Things can get better. I hope they will.
Don’t worry, I’m not gonna be a Debbie Downer. I figured today might be a good time to take stock of what I’m thankful for:
Supportive friends
I love these guys, from the ray of sunshine I’ve known since I was 4 years old to the beautiful souls I’ve only recently met. The people who make me laugh, who share adventures with me, and who listen to my increasingly ridiculous-sounding problems. Dear God, I spent a good four hours making my friend Rob help me choose a dress to wear to a party. AND HE DIDN’T EVEN BLOCK MY NUMBER.
So – you guys know who you are – thank you so much for being there.
Here’s some, but not all, of your faces:
People who believe in me and push me to do new things
Sometimes in life we need people to see what we’re doing, acknowledge we’re doing a good job, and encourage us to keep pushing ourselves. To try things we don’t usually do, or things that scare us. I’m fortunate enough to work in a whole office of these people, and every year I look back and can’t believe what I’ve achieved.
I don’t want to get all cheesy but if you’re lactose intolerant, I’d look away now…
When I left university, I desperately wanted to be a writer. But I had no real experience aside from blogging, which I loved. So, I worked hard, spent months working for no money at all, and started trying to climb the ladder. Lots of people told me to quit and just keep writing as a hobby. Fast forward a few years, and I’m writing magazine features, websites, entire campaigns. People believe in me. They like what I do. And I hope I never stop being proud of this.
New adventures
Although I didn’t visit any new cities this year, I did discover a few new gems in old haunts.
In April, Becky and I went to Paris – one of my favourite cities. We climbed (well, she climbed – I cheated) to the top of the Arc de Triomphe and watched the sun set behind the Eiffel Tower. I can’t believe I’ve never done it before, it was the most beautiful view (see below). Here’s to more Becky-Nikki adventures in 2018!
A few months later, Kate and I went to Brighton, where we played on the pier, visited museums and ate all the food. It was our first sister holiday, and I’m hoping she agrees to more in the future.
Good food
I’m beginning to realise that food is an important tool – and not just for fuelling your body. There’s cooking dinners and baking treats for people to show you care (FYI, this is also super therapeutic), bonding over a delicious pizza or a brunch, and blowing off steam over a hot chocolate.
I’m grateful for every Coffee Saloon trip, every dinner date, and every ice cream cone on the quay.
I genuinely started this blog post feeling a dash ‘woe is me, I have suffered’, but now I’m bursting with pride, gratitude and love for every brilliant person in my life and every fantastic experience I’ve had. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Lots of love (and see you on the other side),
Nikki xxx
