Reflecting on 2013 and Looking Forward to 2014
Happy new year everyone! So another year has passed, and inevitably the arrival of the new calendar year has prompted us to reflect and look back on how 2013 went for us. January the first of 2014 is really just another day of our lives, but it's always interesting to look at the year gone by, isn't it?
When I think about 2013, I have to say it was probably the best year of my life, but that makes it seem like I have a lot of incredible and spectacular memories and achievements to rattle off in this blog post. In actual fact I didn't go on any mind-blowing travels or perform amazing feats or even witness any, and my 2013 may seem ordinary or even boring to some. But for me the miracle of 2013 was all internal and personal, and it was the year of personal growth and emotional fulfilment. 2013 was the year I turned my mentality around, and it was the year I made my positivity defeat my negativity.
In 2013 I let go of my weight loss obsession and started to focus on being fit and healthy! Besides the veggies, I put back meat and carbs on the plate and it was all about adding nutrition rather than subtracting calories. I discarded the scales which I used to step on every day and night, and I stopped looking at calorie counts of everything on the web. I started making my own lunch and dinner everyday which was always a nutritious mix of healthy and clean food. I stopped focusing on making bones visible and started to make muscles visible. I stopped trying to achieve weakness from starvation and focused on being energetic, active and strong.
In 2012 I was trying to improve myself in a similar manner, but I think in 2013 I really blossomed in successfully getting my mind and body immersed into a healthy lifestyle. It was a gradual process, and I'm very happy to have turned around my relationship with food and with my body, into one of love and moderation, rather than hatred, disgust and extremity. At the end of 2013 I joined the gym and the machines there have made it so much easier to help with my goals of upper body strength, which I have always struggled with!
In 2012 I was trying to improve myself in a similar manner, but I think in 2013 I really blossomed in successfully getting my mind and body immersed into a healthy lifestyle. It was a gradual process, and I'm very happy to have turned around my relationship with food and with my body, into one of love and moderation, rather than hatred, disgust and extremity. At the end of 2013 I joined the gym and the machines there have made it so much easier to help with my goals of upper body strength, which I have always struggled with!
Although I'm really pleased with my progress in healthy eating and active exercise in 2013, I'm even more proud of my ability to finally, finally achieve balance.
I found a sweet spot between being healthy and maintaining a good body, and enjoying naughty food and life in general. Previously I was always swinging between the two- restricting myself of the good stuff and being unhappy, or indulging in treats and feeling guilty. End result- unhappiness no matter what I did! My mental wellbeing improved dramatically when I found the balance. I didn't dread going out because I allowed myself to enjoy a good meal. I didn't break down when I ate a whole bag of chips in one sitting (which yes I did with this bag of salt and vinegar crisps! Salt and vinegar is my favourite flavour!) It's counteractive to utterly deprive yourself of the things you love. In 2013 I finally started to love my body.
2013 was also the year I left uni behind and embarked on my journey into the corporate world. I can't believe how much this simple transition changed my whole wellbeing! I spent my whole childhood, teenage and young adult years within high pressure and competitive environments always studying and it's sad to say I didn't do much else. Even as a kid I spent all my time outside of school hours, at multiple tutoring sessions and studying at home. My parents were always busy to spend time with the family so I grew up very lonely and feeling pointless. In uni being against a bunch of law students also made me really feel like the dumb one sometimes lol.
Starting work actually did wonders for my self-confidence! I made pretty good progress within less than a year when I started in February, as I started being the new kid with absolute jack-all to do. But I was able to prove myself and eventually took upon heavy responsiblities and roles very important for the team. Throughout school and uni there were many times where I saw myself as stupid and as a failure. But being a good student is only one facet of intelligence. My progression at work has definitely opened my eyes up to the other ways I can be smart, and skills I didn't even think I had. In 2013 I felt like I was a successful person, rather than a failed one.
(a picture from when I uploaded my first YouTube video)
In 2013 I started a YouTube channel! For some people that may not be a big deal, but for me it took a lot of confidence to start taking videos of my awkward self and posting them on a place which we know is full of trolls and negative people lol! I was able to hit 1000 subscribers in about half a year, which I'm pretty happy about. But more importantly than that: I forced myself to be confident, comfortable infront of a camera, and thick-skinned when it came to dislikes or not-nice comments. I am still very much attached to my shell, but I'm hoping this year I can continue to emerge from it and be more open to the world.
Apart from starting a YouTube, in 2013 I also continued to grow my blog and social media platforms, especially with Instagram. I tried to continue interacting with people on all these things which can actually be very time-consuming haha! I also worked with some wonderful sponsors, public relations agencies, and the like, which was all very fun and exciting.
In 2013 I started a YouTube channel! For some people that may not be a big deal, but for me it took a lot of confidence to start taking videos of my awkward self and posting them on a place which we know is full of trolls and negative people lol! I was able to hit 1000 subscribers in about half a year, which I'm pretty happy about. But more importantly than that: I forced myself to be confident, comfortable infront of a camera, and thick-skinned when it came to dislikes or not-nice comments. I am still very much attached to my shell, but I'm hoping this year I can continue to emerge from it and be more open to the world.
Apart from starting a YouTube, in 2013 I also continued to grow my blog and social media platforms, especially with Instagram. I tried to continue interacting with people on all these things which can actually be very time-consuming haha! I also worked with some wonderful sponsors, public relations agencies, and the like, which was all very fun and exciting.
With all these things combined, the most significant thing I can say about 2013 is that it was the year I felt thankful to be alive. And that is actually a lot more than I can say about previous years. I have done some dumb things and had a lot of dark thoughts in the past, but this year I have really grown in embracing positivity and loving life. In February next month, I will be turning 24 and for the first time in a while, I don't actually dread getting a year older!
In 2013 I really felt blessed to have come into this world, and I felt grateful to wake up every day. In 2013 I felt more confident rather than not, and the happy thoughts outweighed the bad. And this is why as boring and as mundane as my whole year may seem to some, it was actually the best year of my life. I look forward to 2014 which I know will be another great year. I hope that all of you guys have also had an amazing year, and that 2014 continues to be full of happiness, love and overall positivity. Happy new year again! :)
In 2013 I really felt blessed to have come into this world, and I felt grateful to wake up every day. In 2013 I felt more confident rather than not, and the happy thoughts outweighed the bad. And this is why as boring and as mundane as my whole year may seem to some, it was actually the best year of my life. I look forward to 2014 which I know will be another great year. I hope that all of you guys have also had an amazing year, and that 2014 continues to be full of happiness, love and overall positivity. Happy new year again! :)
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