With only a few days left of 2018, I thought it’d be fitting to look back on what I’ve learned this year. They say you learn something new every day, so I’ve tried to come up with some things that I learned in 2018. Last week I wrote a post on what happened to me in every month of 2018, which you can read here.
1) The most important thing that I’ve learned this year is that I’m stronger than I think. I’ve had a few set backs throughout the year and lots of stressing, but every time I’ve managed to find a way through it. Whether I’ve had epiphanies, realising that I’m worth more than what I’m getting, whether I’ve managed to power through and find solutions or not give up on myself and my abilities - I’ve done it all this year. I was exceptionally proud of myself for passing my driving test 2nd time. When I failed my first time I didn’t let it get me down, I headed straight home to re-book for as soon as possible and kept a level head about myself. I’m not usually good with not succeeding, I usually give up if I cant get it right pretty much first time. This year I’ve learned to be patient with myself, I’ll get there eventually. And I really needed that self love.
2) Speaking of passing my test, another thing that I’ve learned this year is that no one can bloody drive at all. No one uses the roads, or their cars for that matter, how they’re supposed to. No one sticks to the speed limits, no one stays in the correct lanes and what even are indicators? No one knows. It’s increasingly frustrating when I’m waiting at a junction for a good 5 full seconds for a car to pass so I can continue my journey, then they decide they’re turning into the road I’m on and I could’ve drove off about 10 years ago. Even worse on a round-a-bout. Angery.
3) For my birthday this year me and Jonny tried Turtle Bay in Birmingham for the first time. I’d heard a lot about it from lots of people, all good things, so I thought it’d be a good place for us to go for something new, something that’s not American fast food (which is usually what we go for when we’re out - or Nandos). Jonny loved it. I on the other hand, did not love it as much. I – for some unknown reason – was not expecting so much spice. I don’t know why I never made that connection, Caribbean food is spicy, but no, the food from this Caribbean restaurant wont be spicy, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Although, I must say the cocktails were fabulous. I had one that was very citrusy, mainly lemon. This did not help with the spice aspect, but tasted divine nonetheless. So I learned that Caribbean food is not my jam, but cocktails are – very much so.
4) Another thing that I learned this year is that you can only count on family. I was let down a lot this year, I didn’t get to do much of what I wanted to do because no one would (and still wont) do it with me. I’ve got very fed up of “oh we have to do this” or “we’ll reschedule” and nothing ever coming of it. It’s been a year for empty promises and I’ve not enjoyed it. However, I know that I can always turn to my family when I need support or help. I know that if I ask them for their time they will never turn me away. Jonny is included when I say ‘family’. When I had to get rid of my first car I didn’t have the funds to buy another one as well as insure and tax it, but he offered to lend me the money so I could do just that. I’ve almost managed to pay him back now, but without him I probably still wouldn’t be driving around, or at the very least it’d be a very new thing in my life. Instead I managed to get my initial driving practice in during the summer, on dry roads and with plenty of sunlight throughout the day so I didn’t have to do much driving in the dark to start with. I’m very happy to have got those hours in before having to battle the elements.
Those are the 4 big things that I’ve learned this year; to believe in myself more, to drive, that I don’t like Caribbean food and that family is all you really need.
I hope you all had a great 2018 and that 2019 brings you all amazing things! Let me know what you learned this year down in the comments below! Thank you for all the support this year and I shall see you all in 2019!
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