2015

The time between Christmas and New Year is always a period of reflection for me. I'm not sure what it is but there's something in the air that makes me feel ready for change, and very reflective on the year I've just had. I like to think back over the year and what I've achieved, and where perhaps I'd really like to improve on things in the next year. 2015 has been an absolute whirlwind of a year, and is up there as one of my best years yet. I've loved the majority of the year, and I'd like to think I will be entering 2016 a much happier person in general. Although there has been some downfalls (including losing my family cat after 18 years, and not travelling as much as I had hoped) the year as a whole has been one that will be impossible to forget!

 2015 has been the year that:

• I became a Religious Studies graduate from Canterbury Christ Church University, graduating with a fabulous 2:1 which I was so happy with. I was sad to see university go, but also ready to move on. My graduation day was one of the best days of my life.I felt so proud, and spent the day with my wonderful family celebrating my success which was really nice. Another bonus was that I got to be reunited with some of my university friends after a long summer apart!
• I entered the world of work a month after leaving university. I'm finally used to the early wake ups, and am honestly really enjoying my job. I've learnt a lot of new thing and am growing in confidence in my role. My team is great, and I feel supported and happy so that's always a good thing. I'm excited to see what work brings for me in the new year - I'm feeling motivated after my break to learn new things and achieve a lot more.
• My blog had a redesign this year, and I'm so happy with the outcome. I've grown my following on Instagram, Twitter and Bloglovin which I am so proud of, and have written some posts that I am proud of too! I even attempted blogtober and got to day 26 which isn't a bad effort. I've been struggling a little with motivation and content ideas recently, but I still love blogging so I've been taking it step by step, and will continue to do so in the New Year.
• Dan and I took a huge leap and moved in together...with my parents.It's been fantastic, and I love that it also signifies us moving closer to our goal of owning our own place together. It's been a lot of fun living together so far and I'm looking forward to the new year so we can slow down a bit and enjoy each others company even more.
• I stuck to my New Years resolutions. The first being to write one good thing about every single day in a gratitude journal. I loved doing this, and think I have found myself a new tradition! My other resolution was to stop washing my hair everyday, and my hair is in much better condition entering 2016 than it was at the start of this year.

It's safe to say that I've had a pretty successful year. I'm feeling pretty content and ready to face the challenges and highs of 2016. Having said that though, if time could slow down a little that would be ideal because I'm pretty sure I'm going to blink and I'll be writing about what I achieved in 2016, which would not be OK (just yet anyway...)!

How was 2015 for you?

Christmas Traditions

Now that it is finally December, and Dan's birthday has been and gone, the christmas celebrations have begun. Christmas really is one of the most magical times of the year, there's a lovely feel in the air, and the promise of not only celebrating the past year, but also a sense of looking forward to the future and the exciting things to come.

Tradition One - Spending time with Family

For me, Christmas has always been hugely orientated towards spending time with family and enjoying the day with them which I love. We either spend it alone, with either set of grandparents, or sometimes even with extended family members such as cousins - but usually our Christmas' are small and focused on spending time together as a family. In the past couple of years, Dan and his family have become part of my Christmas too which is lovely.

Tradition Two - PJ's

Ever since I was very small, my parents tended to buy both my sister and I a pair of PJ's and it has become a tradition. We both absolutely love getting our Christmas PJ's and it makes going to bed on Christmas so much nicer - I love this tradition, because it is such a simple one but so lovely too!

Tradition Three - Getting the Tree

Getting the tree with my sister and dad has been something we've done since I was really small. I love that feeling when we are sitting in the car on the way home with a tree we know our mum will absolutely hate because it's "too big"! We always knew it was getting close to Christmas if we were off to get the tree, it was a great feeling.

Tradition Four - Wigilia

 My dad is half Polish and so every year we have a meal on Christmas Eve known as Wigilia, which is one of the ways Christmas is celebrated in Poland. I love having this tradition that reminds me of where I am from, especially as I am yet to go to Poland. It is a really special tradition, and one I hope to continue for years to come!

Tradition Five - Spending time with Dan

Since we have been together we have spent a day together somewhere which has felt so festive and Christmassy. Two years ago we had a day in London together, at Winter Wonderland, and last year we spent a day at the Harry Potter Studios which was great, especially as it was so christmassy - we really got in the spirit, and Harry Potter is something that always reminds me of Christmas. This year, as we are both working, I think we will probably just have a Christmas film day instead, as we are both just so tired!

What are your Christmas traditions?