The Lessons 2017 Taught Me

@anniespratt

2017 has been a year full of lessons. One thing I can say about 2017 is that I've learnt a lot about myself. Because of the good and the bad of 2017 I've grown as a person and I guess that's where I can say I'm thankful. 

A Healthy Head Space Is Everything

Being in a healthy head space is something I really worked on and learnt a lot more about last year. I'm someone that tends to give a lot to others but never really does much for herself. That changed and 2017 was about putting me first. A lot happened in 2017 and it was good to be able to feel like I could step away if I needed to. 2017 was really the year where I needed to put myself first and look after myself. Creating a healthy head space for myself was a big part of that. It was about getting the balance right and that's something I feel like I'll forever be working on throughout my life time. 

Home Makes Me Happy

Out of the 12 months of 2017 there have only been two months where I haven't travelled anywhere. It was exhausting that's for sure. I'll be the first one to admit that I'm an introvert. While I love being around others, it's so mentally draining. I'd much rather be in the comfort of my own home. In say that though, I still go out to do and see the people I love but I probably don't do the stereotypical activities any other nineteen year old might do. 

Stepping Away From Social Media Isn't A Bad Thing

There have been a few times this year where I've chosen to step away from social media. Either because it's got to the point where I need time away from it for my own mental health or I'm seeing more negativity than I am positivity. And if it's the latter, then I'll take some time away and once I'm back on social media I'll re-access the situation to see what I can do about eliminating negativity from my timeline and usually that's just unfollowing a few people. Highly recommend taking a step back from social media and see how things re different for you without it in your life. 

I'm So Bloody Lucky 

A lot of the time where I've talked about 2017 I've mentioned how much of a shitty year it was. And it's true, it was an incredibly tough year but at the same time I've realised that I've been so bloody lucky. I have a roof over my head, food to eat, people that love and appreciate me, physically I'm doing okay and my family are healthy. I don't really know if I could realistically ask for much more. 

B x 

Goodbye 2017, Hello 2018

It's become a little bit of a tradition here on my website that at the beginning of every New Year I reflect on the previous years worth of memories, good and the bad, and I include a bunch of photos from each month. 2017 was a rough year but there were definitely some good times amongst the bad.

JANURARY

January wasn't that start to 2017 I expected to have. I flew down to Christchurch and drive to Cromwell to attend the funeral of a childhood friend's mother. But with that I got to spend some time with family and that I am grateful for. 7 days later my Nan passed away which was totally unexpected to all of us.

FEBRUARY

February the second we said our finally goodbyes to my Nan. The above picture of us cousins is a clear indication of how emotionally exhausted we were. Overall, February was an exhausting month but nothing was going to prepare us for what was going to happen in March.

MARCH

At the beginning of March my Pop passed away. Nothing could prepare us for this. Again, it was totally unexpected. I don't think I've cried so much in such a short space of time. One thing that did come from all of this is how close my cousins and I have become. We were always close but we're definitely closer now for what went through together in 2017.

APRIL 

Easter was spent back up at the farm in Rai Valley. It was a great get away and awesome to spend time with family. I really do miss spending so much time up there especially since we spent a good chuck of our childhood in Rai Valley on my Grandparents farm.

MAY

May is my birthday month and I can't say I did too much for my birthday. I did go over to Blenheim for a weekend because Mum and I had appointments. It was never easy going back to Blenheim but it was something we always did together.

JUNE

June was my little sisters 16th birthday party. Mum and I drove down from Nelson ton celebrate with her and we had an amazing time. In the month of June I wrote one of my most heart-breaking posts. I wrote it with tears streaming down my face and surrounded by tissues but I'm so glad I finished it and published it. It's called, "It's Nearly Time To Say Goodbye' and I'll leave it linked here if you want to check it out. It's something I'm really proud of.

JULY

July was when my bestfriend came to visit. Ashleigh got her first tattoo and we took way to many trips to Starbucks.

AUGUST 

In August I went to Christchurch. I think I just wanted to be around my sister. I missed her and all the fun we have together but my time down there was great. I love spending time with my little sister.

SEPTEMBER

September was the month where I was pushed outside my comfort zone. I did something I never thought I 'd do before because I hate heights but I did it! I went on what's called the High Wire Swing at Happy Valley Adventures. I throughly enjoyed myself even thought I was terrified nearly the whole time.

OCTOBER 

I spent some time in Okiwi Bay with family in October over Labour weekend and it was gorgeous. Okiwi Bay is another place I remember being at as a kid. It's so incredibly beautiful and peaceful. I just wish I could get over there more often.

NOVEMBER 

November was the month where I spent the entire four weeks in Christchurch. I was doing some work experience and I also got to spend a lot of time with family and friends. I probably drank way to much coffee and gossiped a little too much but it was all good fun and I really enjoyed being down there. 

DECEMBER 

December the second marked my Nan and Pop's fiftieth wedding anniversary and that when we decided we'd have their burial. It was a very special but sad time but I'm glad it was something we could do as a family. I also got my first tattoo which is in memory of my Nan and Pop and it's something I'll treasure forever. 

I hope you all have had a good start to 2018 and may it continue. 

 B x