New Year’s Eve is upon us once again and it could not come soon enough. I’m not one to wish away weeks or months but this year has been tough. Whether you’re looking at 2017 from a global political perspective or at how your own life has panned out at a micro level, it’s definitely been a very difficult year with more than it’s fair share of challenges. That’s not to say it’s all been doom and gloom but you can’t have highs without lows.
My year has been a whirlwind of trials, tribulations, highs, lows, smiles, tears and most importantly; lessons learnt. While I’m fairly open about my life on the blog and social media, I’m very careful about what I do and don’t share, for the most part keeping my life events private. But this is an honest post. My year did not get off to the most stellar start. January consisted of being made redundant, breaking up with my boyfriend and my mum being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
My life was turned upside down in the space of a month. I struggle with anxiety and all of these monumental events happening so close together sent my anxiety through the roof and triggered panic attacks, which I hadn’t experienced for months. Some days were fine but on other days, I felt completely lost with no hope.
I slowly started piecing myself back together. It was hard to stay motivated and positive through everything but I was proud of myself for trying. I spent the rest of the year working my ass off while focusing on myself and my mental health.
There are so many things that should have broken me this year but I’m still here, still standing and working towards my dreams. One of the biggest lessons I learnt was to let go. I let go of a relationship which didn’t fulfil me, a job which I had outgrown and “friends” who didn’t support me through the hard times. Letting go is difficult but it makes space for what you truly deserve in life.
Shortly after being made redundant, I landed a job at a fashion start-up backed by Jose Neves and Natalie Massenet. It’s been a huge learning experience and has pushed my career to the next level. My career has always been important to me, as I shared in this post, and I really accelerated my learning and sharpened my skills while I built and launched a brand.
I also rekindled my love of blogging this year. Truth be told, I fell out of love with blogging a while ago. The landscape really shifted and I struggled to find my place and my voice. But this year I poured myself into my blog and repositioned it from a half-assed hobby to something I really care about. I realised how powerful my platform is and that I want to use my voice, particularly as a British Asian woman.
I started the year destroyed and defeated but I end it happy and excited for the future. I have had big achievements and little victories but for me, this felt like a year of laying foundations. I feel like the things that I have achieved or put into place this year are just the beginning. I have big plans for 2018 and I’m so excited to keep working hard and making my dreams a reality.
Trials, tribulations, highs, lows, smiles and tears. Reflect on your year but don’t dwell on the bad. We do not heal the past by dwelling there; we heal the past by living fully in the present. That’s why I’m raising a glass to 2017 tonight, toasting to the lessons I’ve learnt and the person I have become over the past 365 days.
Wishing you lots of love, peace and happiness for 2018.
Lots of love,
Reena
x
Jumper – Zara (similar)
Skirt – Stradivarius
Heels – Nicholas Kirkwood
Photography by Adorngirl.
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