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Looking Back at 2014...and Forwards To 2015!


I think when I look back in a few years time, 2014 will stand out as a pretty significant in of my life!



I wrote a 12,000-word dissertation and got a First in it

Writing a dissertation feels a little bit like being given a rope, a warm jacket and some boots then being told it's time to climb Everest...It's crazy to think I wrote 12,000 words with virtually no guidance on Paradise Lost and Theology (which isn't in Modern English and I'd never read before!), much less that I got a First for it. It's something I'm really proud of.


I started my blog

It all started with this one blush palette; a beauty obsession was born. I definitely had a habit of pretty much always wearing the same couple of pieces of makeup, but when I bought this palette something clicked and I developed a real passion! If you saw my makeup storage drawer you can see I've moved on from the days of owning about 10 products...

I got an Internship

I'd pretty much given up all hope of landing a graduate job and was in a pretty miserable place. I applied to one internship on the off-chance I'd get it and somehow I did! I was interning in business change and project management with one of the biggest financial services providers in the country! It was seriously hard work but I thrived on it. 

I turned 21

It's a big one. When people ask my age I always start to say 19, before I realise I'm just not any more...I had a great birthday introducing my friends to Manchester!


I went on a girly holiday to Croatia

Myself and my girl friends hit Split after we got our results. We had so much fun: there was food poisoning, lost tickets, ships in storms,  beef with a local and a bit too much wine...
Lots of photos and all about my trip here

I did a festival (ok, it was a day festival...)

My first ever festival (can you believe it?) was Wireless. The tickets were a birthday present from my boyfriend and I realised that I'm far too high-maintenance to ever do a camping festival! Wireless was a lot of fun; I got to see some of my favourite artists up close like Kanye West, Outkast and Rudimental.


I went with my boyfriend to Budapest

Budapest is an absolutely incredible city! I definitely want to go back to experience the parts of it we didn't see. The weather wasn't great but it honestly didn't even matter when we had all that amazing-ness!
Lots of photos and all about my trip here

I graduated

We made it! I graduated with a good 2.1 from the University of Birmingham over the summer after 3 years studying Philosophy and Theology.

I got my first 'real' job

I got a job with the company I interned with over summer; it feels strange to have my own job and my own money. This is my life now! I'm a grown-up!

I definitely had some personal struggles in 2014 but you know, looking back it was far more good than bad despite all the stress. As for what I want to achieve in 2015...



Take my blog to the next level

I don't even know what this means, but looking back at my early posts was an eye-opener of how far I've come in terms of improving my blog's quality as well as letting people know about it. In 2015 I want to keep blogging and get even better!

Learn to drive

I started learning last year and I don't want my progress to go to waste. I'm a late bloomer, following in the family tradition: my grandma learned in her 40s, mum in her 30s and her younger sister is learning now!

Get cooking

I cooked fresh all the time at uni but since starting work it's just not been happening. I want to get back into cooking even if it is quick and easy meals. I think my January bank balance will motivate me to stop exclusively eating Philpotts for lunch (semi-healthy, I guess) and pre-prepared M&S meals for dinner (not even pseudo-healthy!)


Get reading

I'm sad I haven't done as much reading this year as I have done every other year in my life. I want this to change in 2015.

Finish a first draft of my book

This is a big one for me as I really lack confidence to carry my writing through. I really want to get a first draft; once I actually follow through and finish something I think my self-belief will increase and I'll have something to work on instead of criticising something that's hypothetical at the moment.

Progress in my career

I really want to drive my career forwards. I'm trying to learn as quickly as possible so I have the opportunity to advance by the end of 2015.

Move out

I guess this goes hand-in-hand with the above; I want to move to a flat in Manchester City Centre as it will be so much more convenient for me.

Travel


I want to travel to somewhere outside of Europe this year. I'm a pretty nervous flier but my desire to see and experience the wider world is stronger! If I have to I'll take a sleeping pill and snooze my way through a long-haul flight...



I'm feeling positive about the future, you know. I don't make resolutions as such but I like to know where I want to be by the end of 2015.

Do you have any goals or aims for this year?


 



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22 comments

  1. Congratulations on your dissertation, graduating and your new job! 2014 has been quite an eventful year for you :) x

    Velvet Blush

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! And taking a step back and looking at my year - it really has been a big one xx

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  2. Such a great post and hope that you reach all of your goals for 2015.

    Pams Stuff and Things

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  3. Congrats on all of your achievements, it sounds like you had an amazing year. I wish you the very best for the year ahead and hope you achieve everything you wish for x

    www.beautywithcharm.com

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    1. Thank you so much - best of luck for you too this year :) xx

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  4. What a lovely post! You have done so much in just one year! Its so lovely to see that after all of that hard work at university you ended up with a well earned job! I can relate to all of your 2015 aims! Especially learning to drive and cook!

    Best wishes for the new year!

    Laura x

    www.smileatstyle.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you, lovely! It really was a big year :) best of luck for 2015! xx

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  5. Sounds like you've had a great year! The best of luck for 2015!

    Heather, porcelainbeautyx

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  6. Awwww I love reading these kind of posts and you should be so proud of all your achievements!! Thanks for giving us a glimpse of your life...xx

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  7. Girrrrrl, 2014 sounded like YOUR YEAR. Reading posts like this does bring me joy, you graduated, got an internship, got your first proper job, you did a bit of travelling, you went to a FESTIVAL (I AM CRAVING TO GO TO A FESTIVAL RIGHT ABOUT NOW! Hurry up, Summer!)

    You are an inspiration!

    Lima

    xo

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    Replies
    1. Aww thank you lovely - you're too sweet! Hope you achieve your goals for 2015 :) xx

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  8. Such a great post! Looks like you had a really great year with lots of growth and new things! I actually only realised when I did my review of 2014 how many great things happened!

    Drea xo
    Drea's Junkyard

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    1. Thank you - yeah it's great to take a step back and appreciate all you've achieved and experienced! xx

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  9. Wow, you have achieved so much lovely, what an amazing year for you! Cooking more and starting a book is on my 2015 to do list too. I'm sure you'll do all of those things and more :)

    Elle
    www.theellenextdoor.com
    xx

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  10. Congratulations on everything you've acheived, you've had quite a year! I've just started my first year of uni, but I find it really inspiring to see you managed to get a first and find an internship, as that's what I would love to do too. Well done for everything you've accomplished and good luck with all your goals for this year xx

    Emma
    www.emma-alyson.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Aww thank you - you will have an amazing 3 years :) best of luck to you too xx

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  11. Its always awesome to look back and see so much growth. Hope the upcoming year is also one amazing one for you.

    Meg | Meghan Silva's Blog

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    1. Thank you dear - best of luck to you too! :) xx

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