Goodbye 2020, Hello 2021

Out with the old and in with the new. This post will share with you guys what 2020 has taught me and what I hope for 2021!

What a year it's been! I think it is safe to say 2020 has not been the year anyone expected! Through all the chaos and the change that have happened this year, there has been some positive outcomes and of course lessons to be learnt. I am definitely not ending this year the same person I was at the start (sounds cliché I know!). Things did not go to plan for me this year but I genuinely believe everything happens for a reason, even if the reason is not clear straight away! I really feel like this year has crushed me so that I can come back even stronger!

What has 2020 taught me?

• For starters, expect the unexpected! I am someone who likes to be organised and have a thorough plan in life, whether its for the short term or for a long term goal, therefore I hate unpredictability and sudden change - the two things that sum up this year! I've always been fearful of these two factors because I like to be in control, and as soon as I don't feel in control, I panic! But this year has taught me that I can handle change a lot better than I thought. I would like to say I adapted pretty well to unexpected changes of this year, which is something I am really proud of because this year has definitely not been easy! Pretty much all the things my social life surrounded around (going out for meals, and drinks lol!) I have been unable to do and I barely feel like I have seen my friends this year but in a strange way I feel closer to them than ever!

• Following from this I have realised that opening up to my friends isn't as scary and awkward as I thought it would be. Previously I had never really opened up to my friends about my mental health or things that I struggle with but for the first time this year I did and do you no what? It really really really helped me! They understand me in a way I didn't think anyone could and have definitely made me feel less alone which is such a big thing when you are struggling. I also feel like me opening up to my friends has helped them open up to me too which is why I probably feel a lot closer to them now. And now we can help eachother and be there for eachother in our struggles! This year I have really realised what a great support system I have and I could not be more grateful for the people I have around me in my life.

• I have touched on this in my last few posts but one of the biggest things I'm taken away from this year is the importance of reaching out for help when you feel you need the support! The last 4 months have been difficult for me but reaching out for help was the best thing I've done and I'm finally at a place where I wholeheartedly feel ready to work towards improving my mental health and learning to manage my anxiety. 2021 I'm fighting these thoughts and coming for everything that is mine!

• Another big thing I'm taking away from this year is not to be so hard on myself and not to put so much pressure on myself! I have been my own worst critic for as long as I can remember so it is going to take time and conscious effort to unlearn some of my thought patterns. However this year I have realised the hard way, how important it is be kind to yourself and look after yourself and how things can spiral out of control when you don't.

• Blogging and talking to my readers brings me soooo much happiness! Starting this blog has really been a game changer! The support has been incredible and hearing that I have helped so many of you warms my heart. 2020 was the year I found my second passion, and one that not only helps me but helps others and I am so grateful for that! I've only been doing this since May and feel like I have made so much progress already. I cannot wait to keep growing and sharing my journey with all my lovely readers!

Hopes for 2021!

So I have already written down most of my goals for 2021, some of which I will share with you, some I will be keep firmly private until they have been achieved! Of course some of them are subject to this ongoing pandemic seen as it still has the UK in a headlock!

• I guess one of my main goals for 2021 is surrounding getting to grips with managing my anxiety and thoughts! This is something I had actually written as a goal for 2020 and that clearly did not go to plan lol! But I definitely feel I am more in a position to actively work towards this goal now as this year has shown me how much my anxiety impacts many aspects of my life which I now really want to take control of! As part of this I want to really try and practice gratitude more as I do have a lot to be grateful for, and I think focusing on this when I'm in a dark place could help change my mindset.

• Exercise!! Now I am FAR from a fitness fanatic but so many people say how exercise helps their mental wellbeing and also I general would like to become healthier physically as well as mentally. I find it quite difficult to find exercises I actually enjoy and gyms are a big no no for me at the moment. Maybe my fear of gyms will be something I overcome as I get to grips with my anxiety who knows, but for now I will be trying exercises I can do at home or outdoors when the weather gets a bit better.

• Consistency with blogging - I started off quite well initially posting every week but I lost motivation along the way and my consistency has not really been the same since! I also feel I have fallen out of love with social media this year, I just don't find it very enjoyable at times and can find it overwhelming. But I aim to post at least twice a month in the new year and have heaps of ideas for other ventures in relation to this blog, some of which you readers will be able to get involved with (exciting!!). In order to find social media less overwhelming I will be aiming to spend less time on it next year and more time doing things I do enjoy, I would love to find some hobbies away from a screen!

• Make more memories with my friends and family (subject to Miss Rona!) 2021 is all about growth for me but also I wanna have fun with my favourite people in any way we can! Making memories to look back on is so important to me, so lets see what memories 2021 brings!

I will most definitely be coming back to read this, this time next year to reflect! It's OK if all you did this year was get through it, that's an achievement in itself. It's been a challenging year and we have all had to adapt. Not to mention all the unpredictability and negativity we have been faced with, that has been out of our control. Due to this a lot of people may not be feeling optimistic about the new year and may be feeling deflated. If you are one of those people the best Tyra Top Tip I could give you is to write down and acknowledge the good that has come out of the year no matter how superficial you may think it seems, and you might just realise some positives that may have been overshadowed by dwelling on negatives (I am very guilty of this!)

I hope 2021 is full of love, happiness and success for all of you! I am so grateful for every single one of you readers and to everyone who has sent me messages of support and shared my posts! It means more to me than you will ever know! In 8 months I have accomplished over 900 followers on instagram and 590 reads of my blog (still in shock whilst I type this!) Thank you to every one of you! Sending love to you all, happy new year and see you on the flip side, growth all 2021!!!