Monday 1 January 2018

2017 Recap and 2018 Goals


I kind of can't believe I'm writing this post. I am in disbelief that 2017 is over, although it already feels so distant. I'm also not usually one to write a trendy blog post, but I've enjoyed reading posts by other bloggers, so I thought I'd compose my own too.

2017 was one of the weirdest years I've had in a long time. The first half was rather unpleasant as I had scary life-defining state exams in June, with things like practicals and orals scattered from February to May as well. In Ireland, there isn't any continuous assessment, so your exam performance is literally your whole final grade that determines whether you get into the college course you want. Thinking back on it, it was really tough, and sucked the enjoyment out of a lot of simple things. I couldn't even go shopping without feeling guilty about missing time studying. So glad that's all over.

In May I graduated from secondary school, which was quite surreal. I'd been in that same school for six years, and had experienced so many wonderful things over the course of that time. However, graduating felt totally right, because it hadn't all been good, and I felt ready to move on. In July, I turned 19. I've already written about my thoughts on the matter here, but now almost 6 months later, I can tell you that being 19 is definitely way more fun than being 18.

In August I got my exam results and my university offer- I got into my first choice! I was relieved, really. The fact that I had to wake up at like 5:50am to check if I'd gotten my place at 6 meant that I was way too tired to be excited. But it was exciting, and I began to really try to imagine what it would be like to go to university, and how my life would change.

In September, I went to Milan with my parents, and we had a really lovely time. I felt like my photography and editing skills really improved with that trip, and seeing Da Vinci's Last Supper was amazing. Totally amazing. That same month, I started university. It was intimidating, and I immediately felt like a small fish in a huge pond, but really interesting.

I've since made a few new friends and have settled into my course somewhat. I feel like I've a long way to go in terms of getting to know people in each of my classes and feeling comfortable on the whole, but I made a decent start, and I did well in the couple of assignments I had, so I hope to try harder next year. I struggle so much with self acceptance, I always hold myself back, so that has been something that has really gotten on my nerves about me this past semester.

One thing that I'm happy about, a process that has begun over the past year, is that I've started to get into fashion and develop a style that I really like and that others seem to like too. For some reason it was something I could never get right as a younger teenager.

2018 already looks like it could be a very exciting year. There are a lot of things that are going to change for me, some that I can't really reveal at this point because they involve other people, but I'm sure that I will let you know when the time comes.

It will be my first full year as a college student, which is in itself a crazy thought! I also have a few trips lined up, which I am so unbelievably grateful for, as I did not expect to be able to travel so much. Oh, and I'm turning 20.

I like to write a set of resolutions for myself every year, but this year I've decided to make some of  them more goal-oriented, because if they are tangible, I'm more likely to do them.

1. Start learning how to drive
2. Publish a blog post every week (I might be crazy to tell you this)
3. Eat better
4. Exercise twice a week
5. Work on self-confidence
6. Use up an entire body lotion (I know it's strange but if I don't make it into a goal I'll never do it)
7. Save money 

Wish me luck!

What are your goals? Happy New Year!!

Anna x

19 comments

  1. fantasy violet29 May 2018 at 20:29

    congrats on getting a placement in your uni and all the best in fulfilling your goals! I, myself needs to start learning how to drive :)

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  2. Great goals - they seem reasonable yet challenging. I hope you accomplish everything you want to this year! I'm also trying to save up some money and work on self-confidence!

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  3. congrats on surviving exams, anna! i know how stressful they can be. i don't remember the last time i had to stress over exams. it was few years ago in high school. in college, i was blessed with not having paper exams (but got design projects instead which i prefer so much more than paper exams) i'm happy to hear that your 2017 was fruitful and abundant. it's both weird and nice for me to hear how much people's 2017 went by great because mine was trash but i really am happy to hear how things worked out for you despite the difficulties you had to face midway.


    i don't set resolutions or goals because i can't be bothered. i'm a planner 90% of the time but for things like this, i just wanna let things happen. i do have a wishful thinking though which is to be able to post better blog posts. i feel like my blog posts aren't as...engaging as other people's (i know i know, don't compare yourself because it's bad but can't help it sometimes) i also hope this year i can find a new workplace haha

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  4. You did so many great things this past year. Getting into the school of your choice is really exciting news! You'll do so many other great things this year too!! Posting once a week isn't to hard once you get the hang of it!

    Mehttp://www.itssimplyme.com/">Simply Me

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  5. Good goals! I am trying to work on the driving one too.

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  6. Literally using up an entire body lotion should be a goal of mine too! It's so annoying because it seems like mine are always either getting lost before I've had the chance to finish them or there's an odd time or two where they get thrown out at airport security even though I've made sure they're within the bag of 3 oz bottles limit, etc! the worst!

    Beauty & Colour | Vegan Lifestyle Blog

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  7. Oh it sounds like 2017 was quite the rollercoaster for you, but I'm glad that it was a good year overall for you! I absolutely love that one of your goals is to use up a whole body lotion - I struggle with the same thing. Why is it so hard to use the whole bottle?! The rest seem totally achievable, so I can't wait to see how you get on with them!

    Olivia - The Northernist x

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  8. Thank you! You're right, using up an entire body lotion bottle will probably defeat me, but I've got to try! x

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  9. That is definitely an annoying way for them to go! I'd better watch out! :) x

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  10. Thank you so much Vanessa, all the best :) x

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  11. Thank you! Likewise :) x

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  12. Thanks Michele, I hope all goes well for you! x

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  13. Thank you Elise. That's lucky that you didn't have those kinds of exams in uni, I have a few but thankfully not as many as some other people I know. I really hope that your 2018 turns out well! There are always going to be ups and downs, so I was fortunate that my year improved after June. I hope yours is incomparably wonderful!

    Your posts are definitely engaging- don't doubt yourself! I hope you achieve all you want to this year, goals or not :) x

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  14. Ahh what a lovely post. That trip to Milan must have been amazing, makes me want to go there too. I also graduated in May and got accepted into uni and I'm starting uni next month, so hey, we're pretty similar on that! Haha and congrats to you, on that note. I turn 19 this year, so I'd love to read that post you made about it. <3
    You have a stunning blog, I'm totally in love with your content! I'd love if we can follow each other and be blogging buds? (is that a thing? I fail miserably at internet talk.) Anyway, do let me know and feel free to stop by!
    Have a terrific rest of the week xx

    Joanne | With Risa: A Lifestyle Blog

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  15. Congratulations on starting uni! It's a roller coaster but i'm starting to really get into it now. Thank you so so much for your comment! You're so kind, I'd love to be blog buddies! I'll check out your blog now :) x

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  16. I LOVE your 2018 goals! Many of them are similar to mine - exercise 2x a week, eat better, work on self confidence, save money . . . and I totally understand the 'use up an entire body lotion.' I am trying sooo hard to use up everything I have! Best of luck. :)

    Madison | Breakfast at Madison’s

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  17. Glad to know that you're achieving well in 2017!
    I wish all the best for 2018! x

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Thank you for your words x

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