journal: 2019

2019 

A year of accomplishments and being adventurous....a year of saying “see you later” and “miss you” a lot.

My best friend moved to Barcelona which meant two trips there at the beginning of the year, one in February and one in April both so much fun. I carried on running, was scared I had made a mistake in signing up for a half marathon but actually ran the distance in my training and shocked myself so at the end of February I completed the Brighton half in a better time than in my training, I was extremely proud of myself. Brgr & Beer where I started working in the summer of 2018 closed their doors (we all had a great send off party though) and I started work at their sister place Wine & Deli. Glad to have these guys as friends. My other best friend moved to Australia and we saw The Streets right before she left which was a treat. In March I popped to Manchester (Glossop) to say goodbye to my other best friend who was also moving to Australia! It was such a nice weekend, filled with good food and country walks. I came home to the six books I challenged myself to read before the year was up (did it quite soon after getting them). I attended two All Points East Festival days for under £10 and got to see Christine & The Queens, Bon Iver and Mac Demarco, so good. In June, one of my best friends had her hen do and we stayed in a yurt in the country and did zip lining on a very wet day which was fun, then at the end of June I was a bridesmaid at her wedding in Manchester it was such a beautiful day. Another best friend moved to Canada so we had a lot of goodbye night outs prior to that. July was a very busy month, me and my wonderful business partner (nana) completed a big bag order for West Elm they’re now stocked in all three stores in London! I also received my dream opportunity whilst finishing the order so was under a lot of pressure to get them completed. The last two weeks of July I spent in Morocco, photographing a tour for Flashpack. It was the best experience of my life and my dream job, I met some really great people too. Then it was my time to leave England… I had eleven days of goodbyes, some last minute shifts and lots of photo editing to do. 12th of August I arrived in Australia, the biggest thing I’ve ever done for myself in my life. In last years round up I mentioned that I wanted to experience living in a different country and I made the leap. Even if I did know people here already, it was such a big deal for me. 2019 was my bravest year yet. I lived in Melbourne for four months, and made some great friends and great memories with old friends. I did a road trip and was in Sydney for almost a month with another old friend and started the year in Cairns ready to start my 88 days regional work. This year has taught me so much, I have finally learnt how to be alone, still working on my decision making. I have struggled financially, mentally and with homesickness. I have learned to be minimal, grateful and even more patient. I have tried many new things within sports and food. I have met some amazing people on my journey and I can’t wait to meet more. I am excited for what 2020 will bring, I don’t quite have a plan. I know what countries I’d like to explore but again I might be in Australia for another whole year despite how much I miss my family and friends (hoping for a trip home inbetween). I do aim to feel settled soon, I’d like my own kitchen. This decade has been a whirlwind.

Wishing everyone a happy fresh year, wherever you are in the world.