We’ll talk about where I’ve been for a month and a bit in the next post, because before I truly start 2019 off on the blog I want to look back. I get weird and nostalgic at this time of year and tend to tweet too much and post too many pictures of what’s happened throughout my year. I thought the best way to relaunch my site would be to write about all of that, crazy emotions, highlights and lowlights included
The year started not with a bang, but a whimper. The lovely Alex hosted a fantastic New Year’s Eve celebration, before I went back to working for the rest of Christmas break. In January I got my second ever tattoo and saw my first ever premiership rugby game. My return to Durham included snow, Burns Night formal, and more Friday night Klute (if you know you know).
February was a very low month. It mostly consisted of walking miles and miles in hopes that I’d fix the mess in my head and generally struggling a lot. On the plus side The Feast of St Cuthbert happened, so I got a nice break from myself with added black tie, and spent a weekend seeing both Dead! and Marmozets.
March began with a breakup, and for some reason running back to the very hometown that was so intrinsically central to that old relationship in a snowstorm so bad that I almost got stranded. Looking back is so strange now, because I honestly think it was for the best and that I’ve grown exponentially as a person as a result, but it was obviously a difficult time. Anyway…. despite the sadness most of March turned out ok. I planned summer holidays with my friends, threw myself into Durham life, finally saw Moose Blood live and went to France on my final ever exchange. Before that trip I was struggling a lot with being back home and my identity, but after a social media break, immersing myself in French and meeting some fantastic new friends I began to stand a little taller once again. That was probably helped in part by starting therapy, and in part by starting to exercise and focus on myself again.
The last term of first year soon rolled around, a term essentially of two halves. To begin with obviously it was exam season, and whilst the exams themselves weren’t overly terrible I had periods of real low mood and spent a lot of time crying or sleeping. Not pretty, but it taught me that recovery is a process rather than a solution. In Durham we all stay around for a little while after exams, and I had such a great time! I had probably one of the best nights of my life at a college Eurovision party, saw Twin Atlantic, went to my first ever pride, visited Edinburgh, Cuth’s Day happened, we went to the seaside and I had visits from home friends. I also started this blog back then, something I’ve loved working on and being creative with ever since. On the last morning of term in June myself and my flatmates woke up at 4am to watch the sunrise together and it was everything.
This summer was chaotic, at times crazy, but downright fabulous. It all began with travelling to Berlin, Prague and Budapest with the best team I could ever hope for. After a week straight of work after landing back in the UK I headed down to Dorset to hang out with the same great pals. We enjoyed some rare British sunshine by the sea for a few days, and then headed up to Oxfordshire for Truck Festival. It was a bit of a beer-infused blur but I saw some amazing bands and got a questionable tan. I came home, got a recovery themed tattoo and went fully vegetarian because I’m a walking stereotype. I also climbed High Spy & Catbells, went on a good few nights out and took a trip to York.
I moved into my second year house in Durham a little earlier than most at the start of September, and I won’t lie, it was quite lonely. To solve that problem I quite literally ran away to Italy. I went to Milan for a few days on my own, and genuinely really enjoyed seeing a new city from the perspective of being a solo traveller. I also visited my school friend in Edinburgh (again) and went down to Manchester to finally see Halestorm live, after a lot of years of waiting. These trips were a good approach to feeling better in the short term, but my overwhelming memory of September is that of depression. Luckily, it didn’t last long.
Not long after I returned from Italy I started second year, and oh man it’s been good. I adore (most of) what I study this year, get to live with my best friends and love my city. I got involved in student politics for the first time this term, being elected LGBT+ officer of the Labour Club and helping with an NUS delegate elections campaign team, which has brought me a whole group of lovely new friends. I saw countless gigs, meaning I spent a lot of weekends in Manchester and nights driving to Newcastle and back. This term has definitely been the best one yet, and I honestly can’t wait to go back to Durham.
Since coming home between working and studying I haven’t really been up to all that much. I had a lovely quiet Christmas with all of my family and I just feel very lucky at the moment. I’m properly excited about what I do, (mostly) healthy, (mostly) happy, and (mostly) living my best life.
So apologies for the very long post, but 2018 has been a huge year for me. It’s had some highlights that I’d even consider life highlights, but at the same time has been a hard year in many respects. I feel like it’s been a year to progress, deal with things, and prepare for making 2019 the most kick-ass year ever.
-Megan, listening to Placebo (and wondering why I haven’t listened to them in a long while!)
Such a lovely post and I appreciate you being honest about the good times and the not so good – hope you have an amazing 2019! x
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Thank you, you too! x
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It’s definitely been a crazy year but you’ve grown so much in that time and I’m so proud of you. I loved the Milan post you did and loved seeing all of the cool photos from your travels. Thanks for seeing in the new year with me and I can’t wait for 2019!
Alex xx
http://allthingsalexx.wordpress.com
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You’re so right, but thank you honey!! We will smash it x
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Lovely post. Travelling is good for the sole, stops you getting that boxed in feeling. I hope 2019 brings kind, interesting people into your life.
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Thank you! That’s so true
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This was such a good post and it’s inspired me to do something similar in the future! Good luck for 2019 I hope it’s a good year for you!
Jess // foundationsandfairytales.wordpress.com
xx
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Aww thank you!! xx
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Great post! Can’t believe you were able to review your whole year! It seemed like so much! Well done. Looking forward to a bright year to come and many more great posts!
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Thank you! Trust me it took a very long time, but I really enjoyed looking back.x
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It sounds like you had a crazy and eventful year! I’m so glad that you shared with your ups and downs and I hope 2019 is a year filled with good things for you!
Bukola Veronica,
http://www.bukolaveronica.com
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It definitely was, thank you so much!x
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You’ve had one roller coaster of a year! Your solo travel to Italy inspires me to finally go and visit the places I want to go even if no one else wants to go.
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Wow your year was very eventful. Im glad you were able to make it through! I hope the struggles u had could help u be more prepared for the future. I feel our young adult days are going to be one of the toughest times of our life. But i think those years really prepare us for the future hehe
I hope your 2019 goes by well and is filled with good memories. Lets do our best to make it the best too! 😊 💞
Kiki | soyvirgo.com
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They will definitely be preparing me for the future, it’s important to look on the brightside. Thanks for reading! x
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First of all, I have to say I LOVE the way you’ve written this post. It flows so nicely, and really emphasises the way life can change, change and change again at a moment’s notice. It sounds like you’ve had a really challenging and testing year, and it definitely shows a lot of your strength to battle through everything and pay homage to the positives at the same time. Things seemed to pick up towards the end of the year so I hope 2019 is a good year for you!
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Thank you so much! Genuinely means a lot 🙂 I’m really excited for what 2019 will bring x
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I love honesty, it makes us all human. This will also be a nice post for you to read back on at the end of the year, see how much your life changes again. Lovely post hun xxx
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Thank you so much!x
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You had so much going on this year! Definitely ups and downs, I love that you travelled so much that’s amazing. And it’s amazing to see you getting involved in any kind of politics, I’m a fellow Labour supporter and I just love you for that already. And I loooove your wrist tattoo!!
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Travelling was definitely the best bit, I always make it a priority ahah. Ooooh awesome!! I’ve been thinking about writing a bit more about politics so at least someone will read it lol. Thanks for reading x
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Wow, what a great way to look back on 2018 and remember all that’s happened. I’m sorry you went through some tough times this year but I think it’s really admirable that you were able to acknowledge those not so good moments. I really struggle with that when I do any kind of reflection on the year. Great post!
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It was a lot of fun to reflect. Thank you! I’m using them as learning points. x
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Wow, what a rollercoaster of a year! A lot of ups and downs but I’m sure that writing this post has given you the opportunity to look back and reflect on everything and think about what you want in the future. I wish you all the best for 2019 and hope that you have more highs than lows!
Nicola
http://nicshealthylife.co.uk
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A rollercoaster is the right way to describe it ahaha. Happy New Year! x
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