Life Highlights from 2018

I need to stop living life like I read books – quickly turning to the next page in anticipation and speed reading through the action-packed parts. If you keeping flipping to the next chapter you might find yourself finished the book so focus on soaking up each and every moment instead of wanting to fast-forward everything....

At least that is the advice I am currently giving to myself. It is also the reason why I decided to reflect on this year and compile a list of highlights to appreciate. I honestly did not realise what a jam-packed and achievement filled year 2018 was for me until I sat down and put everything on paper so I would highly recommend for you to do this as a little activity to wrap up 2018. I had some of the proudest moments of my life this year! Let’s get into them…

TRAVEL
My year started out in Vietnam where I spent Christmas, New Years and the start of 2018.

Towards the middle of the year I made a trip to Sydney for some blogging meetings and also to attend the Randwick Races and watch Winx win.

Shortly after I made my way to Byron Bay to go to Crystal Castle! A magically zen place that I would go as far as to call my “happy place”. It’s a bit of a tradition for my sister and I to head down there once a year.

Just before the start of Summer I took a trip to the Gold Coast with my sister to lay on the beach, shop, order room service and overall just chill out.  

Straight after Christmas I’m going away with my family for a week on the Sunshine Coast to celebrate New Years and that will conclude the travels for 2018!

I am so grateful for all these incredible holiday experiences I have had this year and can’t wait for Bali in Feb 2019. 

EDUCATION

Mid-year I graduated my Masters of Advertising. Not only that but I graduated with Distinction, made it onto the Dean’s List and was invited to the prestigious ‘Golden Key’ honours society.

I have to say it was one of the proudest days of my life and emotionally I didn’t really know how to react. I was a little on edge and stress-y but it’s because I was so caught up in how surreal the moment was.

I then had some meetings with QUT and applied for my PhD. I got accepted and start next year!! 

CAREER

Not only did I complete my first year at my dream job but I also secured a teaching position at QUT and released a book!

I taught a subject on ‘Social Media Management’ for the second semester of the year when I had graduated my masters and had a bit more time on my hands. It was such an incredible experience I would love to get an opportunity at again.

I also of course published a book and received an overwhelming amount of support and love from my gorgeous friends and followers. To be able to hold a physical printed copy of my book in my hands is in direct competition with my graduation as proudest moments of my life. You can read all about my book HERE or purchase a copy HERE. 

PERSONAL

Personally I pushed myself out of my comfort zone a lot this year. I have undergone SO MUCH self-development that I am definitely not the same person I was coming into 2018.

Firstly, I read 30 books! Considering a lot of these were self-development books I truly believe they shaped the way I think and act in many ways. I would highly recommend checking out my 2018 reading list for a detailed run down on every book I read this year because they are good ones! I definitely approach situations with a lot more rational thinking and calm understanding now, rather than being ruled by my emotions. Get the 2018 Reading List HERE. 

I moved out of home and got a taste of what being completely alone is like. Turns out…I actually love it. Having never been completely alone in my entire life, having the opportunity to actually try it was scary and difficult at first. But now I crave my alone time and am completely self-sufficient in every way which has made me a much more confident person.

Particularly towards the end of this year, I have gotten into my health and fitness again. While I have always made time for yoga and Pilates at the gym, I have now started incorporating Orange Theory Fitness workouts to my routine. They have made a huge difference in building strength and cardio-vascular health. I cleaned up my diet cutting all the sugar and crap out only to see amazing results. I’m back at my ideal weight and feeling more confident than ever. 

This year I made it a priority to catch up with heaps of my friends and all the time. Being the extremely busy and career driven person I am, it means I’m the kind of friend you can go without seeing for a year but then when we catch up it’s like we never spent any time apart. Well, I decided I wanted to be the kind of friend you could rely on and be there for help whenever you needed. I now try and not go any longer than 1-2 months without seeing my really good friends and that’s an improvement for me. 

I got back into painting! I went to 4 painting classes and started painting at home again. I also dabbled into other creative pursuits like Terrarium workshops and photography classes. A big part of my happiness lies in being creative so this has made me a much happier person this year. I have actually enrolled in a painting course next year with the Brisbane Institute of Art so weekly I will be attending classes after work and learning all the tips and techniques to draw and paint like a pro. 

Something else that is critical to my happiness is…MUSIC! I went to 3 concerts this year – Halsey, Lana Del Rey and Missy Higgins. This made my heart and ears very happy indeed. Even better music news to come out of 2018 is that next year Arctic Monkeys and Red Hot Chilli Peppers are touring. Honestly, what kind of music gods have been answering my prayers here?!

Side note - I also went brunette which was really fun and exciting! 

As for 2019 I have SO much in store. Some of it I have touched on here – Bali holiday, PhD, painting classes and concerts but there is still a lot more I have yet to announce. 

Keep an eye out because I look forward to telling you all about it and this is a journey you definitely want to come on! I hope that your 2018 has been productive, successful and filled with happiness. If it hasn’t, it really isn’t too late to turn it around and you can make 2019 the best year yet!