2018 was actually alright

So it's 2019 now, the 11th January to be exact, and I know I haven't been very active on here- I apologise! I keep seeing people say how shit 2018 was and some even said it was the worst year of their lives thus far. I am no stranger to that feeling, and 2013 still stands as my worst year. However, 2018 was alright for me, and I made changes I didn't think I would.

I finished college, and I made a post about that too which is here. I never thought I would get through college as I had been to so many and had such bad experiences with them, but I did and I came out with all passes, CCD. My experience there was awful, but I did meet my first set of friends and I was so pleased to have finally met people I really got along with. Rosie, Alex, Jake, Rhys etc. I never had friends before like that so I was grateful to meet them. I guess there is a silver lining to everything! Okay, I'll stop being weird now and move on lol.

I started university, (insert unanimous 'what the fuck'), and I also made a post about that here. I am studying history, which is my passion, however it is proving to be very challenging in a lot of ways. I do lack motivation to complete assignments, but hopefully I can make it through the 3 years with support and motivation. I only have my tuition fees, so I do not have a loan, and I am definitely jealous of people who get loan money!! Also, my brother got into university too?? I suddenly feel really old???

I watched 3 pets of mine pass away. This really is a first for me. I never really had a loss of a pet strike me before as I was too young. I also have not had any human being close to me die yet, so I don't really know what grief feels like, or at least I didn't. Flossie passed away in February, Ginger was put down in the July and Sketch died in the September. I still haven't really accepted Ginger's traumatic death and I think I might speak to a therapist about it sometime, as I have never felt so much pain. I honestly wouldn't wish grief on my worst enemy. It is a hole you can never fill.

To make things lighter, I started a new hobby which I have wanted to do for years and that is letter writing. I asked friends if they would like to, and I write to 3 friends currently. My friend Laura writes when she can and we send each other tea (lol), Alice and I write sometimes when she is able to, and Rosie and I both share this hobby so we write often. If you want to check out Rosie's blog you can here, and Laura's here. I love making things and I love crafting so if you would like to write to me and be a penpal please let me know by commenting on here or messaging me privately!!

I got 2 new pets, which I love, and they are Dorian my Russian hamster and Arnold my fancy mouse. They live in my bedroom and I honestly love them to bits. They are the most gentle and funny and beautiful little dudes ever. I think my room would be very empty without some other life living in it.

I passed my driving test! That really feels like years ago now. I passed in the Jan of 2018 and I have been driving my own car since. I either drive down the road or really far, although I need to go on the motorway still alone...

I dyed my hair, (wow no way really), but seriously, I did leave it to grow for a long while!! I am currently 'Iced Chocolate' (lol) but I was bleach blonde for a while. I don't have plans to change it soon as I am trying not to make my hair fall out like last time...

I had my vegan 1 year anniversary on the 1st of Jan this year! Crazy to think I have been vegan that long. I honestly cannot see myself ever changing, although I don't know. I do know I will never eat meat again though. I hope I can be vegan forever but you never know with these things.

My boyfriend got a job at McLaren and is a STEM ambassador which is amazing and I am so proud of him!! His engineering website is linked here, make sure to have a look.

I adopted a bear called Rene in Pakistan, and you can too, so go and take a look here. I stopped being sober and that probably isn't the best life choice but nevermind. I also took trips to both Avebury Stones and Ironbridge and Blists Hill. I developed a bath addiction with all the bath bombs and bubble baths, I don't know why. I went to the NEC pet show, watched my first cousin get married, saw my cousins more, went to Cirque du Soleil which was AMAZING, watched The Last Kingdom on Netflix and DIED, dabbled with my religious beliefs, got 2 jobs at Boots and Worcester Warriors, and I had an incredible New Years Eve. I had some really bad times in 2018 but I also had great times. So thanks everyone who has made it special.