50 Lessons Of 2018

Hello 2019!

But before we start concentrating on you, we need to sit down, relax and do a little reflecting.

2018 was a very interesting year if I do say so myself, but I prefer it that way - even all the bad parts. Learning life lessons are an important part of growing and maturing. I want to be able to say that I got to a place in my life, whether that's mentally or literally, and I have gotten there because of a whole bunch of knowledge I kept hold of during the best and worst times of my life. I am a complete "moments" kind of person, as in I love to take every situation in and just think about what and why it's happening.

I'm such an analyst which, like anything, has its good and bad points, but one thing I love most about it is how my brain takes in all this information around me and what it produces. I have jotted down so many half-finished sentences about everything I see and feel; words of wisdom, moments to cherish, thought-provoking terms, and motivation for when I need it. Though I'd like to keep those pretty personal, I do feel that I need to give the intentions their moment to shine. These are filled with lessons, random thoughts and momentary solutions that have left an impression on me over 2018.

1. You are your own biggest supporter.
2. Some friendships have an expiry date. Sad but true.
3. Even the people closest to you may just want to see you fail. Again, sad but true.
4. Cute photos of baby animals will always cheer me up.
5. I’m not as in love with chocolate as I used to be.
6. I thrive in the heat.
7. Also, summer 2018 was extremely hot, but I loved it.
8. Dreams are there to be had and lost, then rediscovered and loved.
9. Listening to musical soundtracks will always be my biggest motivation while working.
10. I started the year worrying too much about the little things. Then I stopped.
11. Then I started worrying that I cared too little.
12. I am my own worst enemy.
13. Talking of enemies, I realised having hate towards people took up too much of my energy.
14. Peanut butter and banana oats in the morning makes me happy.
15. Crunchy peanut butter is better than smooth. FACT.
16. Starting a new career has no age limit.
17. I need to use my creativity more in 2019... and beyond.
18. I have some of the most amazing and supportive friends - I'm very lucky.
19. A kind gesture can go a very long way.
20. I like when strangers say bless you to me in public when I sneeze.
21. I need to stop being unrealistic when organising my time.
22. Thinking of the worst case scenario will always bring in bad energy.
23. Putting things out into the universe is the start of any success story.
24. I have two music moods; skip every song, or listen to the same song on repeat.
25. I will never get bored of listening to Halsey.
26. I need to sleep with the window open, no matter how cold it is.
27. I would love to visit an elephant sanctuary.
28. Face masks in the morning are life-changing.
29. Starting a blog was the best decision I've ever made.
30. As much as I would love to apply for the GBBO, I don't think I need people seeing me have a meltdown over a soggy bottom.
31. My hair will never do what I want it to do. It's the most stubborn part of me.
32. Eating pizza every day should be classed as a "healthy diet".
33. Saying "I don't need this/that" more this year has saved me so much money.
34. Originality is slightly dying.
35. Trying something I couldn't do before or never thought I could and succeeding is the best feeling.
36. I've really been enjoying poetry. Reading, not writing.
37. I just want to spend all day being creative and making cute things.
38. I have bought too many things because I know it would look great in my flatlay.
39. Talking of flatlays, I could do this all day and every day.
40. The breaking of my camera (of which I've had for 10 years) affected me more than I thought.
41. Being a perfectionist is annoying, but I'm learning to be "unperfect".
42. Once I actually learnt to "use" Instagram, it's actually become quite enjoyable.
43. Making unrealistic lists is my biggest motivation.
44. Finding new vegan alternatives in the supermarket is a fulltime hobby.
45. You can fool anyone with confidence.
46. The lead up to Christmas is always better than the actual day.
47. I need to find a fun way of scheduling tweets - it can be so annoying.
48. Learning to relax and doing nothing is a skill I need to learn and appreciate.
49. The worst kind of people are the ones who use you to get what they need. Less of those, please.
50. 2019 feels like it's going to be a special year, but I'm not sure why just yet.

I am so optimistic about 2019.

We are just over a week into the new year, and I have already had such exciting news for my blog, including being shortlisted for a UK Blog Award!! How crazy is that?! I couldn't have asked for a better way to start a new blogging journey. I don't feel like each year I learn something new when it comes to blogging, it honestly seems like it's a daily occurrence, but I feel coming up to my 5th year of blogging, I have a true focus of where I want to take Little White Socks. I'm setting new goals and challenges and I can't wait to see how she'll grow and transform in the future.

Like I mentioned in my lessons list, starting my blog was one of the best decision of my life. It's given me a safe space to open up about what I love and the confidence to take that forward as a new business venture. This is all very vague as I don't want to say anything just yet until I've at least decided on the official name and those other things that make everything seem real, but it shouldn't be too long. Plus I'm throwing hints all over my blog and social media.

I'm going to try my very hardest to make 2019 an incredible year. Let me know in the comments below what your biggest lessons of 2018 were, plus any exciting plans you have for 2019.

LISTENING TO

• Halsey ft Juice WRLD
• Without You