I know I haven’t written here for a while. I’ve been distracted by a few other projects and life in general. But I felt I needed to look back on 2016 and into 2017. Prepare for a rant.

It seems like 2016 was a bit of an odd year for everyone. I too didn’t escape the ride. I had some pretty low, lows and then some amazing highs. 2016 was a year of change for me. I left the only industry I have ever really known in Advertising after 10 years. I was in a pretty toxic work environment that caused me a severe lack of sleep, my sanity and myself. I found myself drinking more than I ever thought I would, just to get some un-interrupted sleep and to de-stress which did freak me out as alcoholism runs on both sides of my family. I knew that the only way to save myself was to leave the industry. But it needed to be the right place. I was fussy, By this point in my career, I felt like I had earned the right to be fussy.

And fussy I was. I knocked back a $120k a year job because it wasn’t going to make me happy. Instead I a took a job that meant I took a $20k paycut. But my mental health had never been better. I enjoyed life and a work life balance again. And just 8 months later I have been promoted and earn more than I ever did in Advertising. Best life decision ever. I finally felt like I was able to give everything to all other aspects of my life. I haven’t been happier for years. Actually, I haven’t been this happy for over 6 years. When I actually type that, that’s freaking crazy hey.

But more importantly, I was able to give back to those I cared about. I could pay more attention to my partner in crime, my family, my friends and anyone else that just needed someone to lean on. I’ve learnt a lot about myself. I could also start looking at what I wanted out of life and what I wanted to spend my time on. So I started gaming more again. My god gaming makes me so happy. I still don’t feel like I have done enough but I have tripled the amount of time I have spent doing it! My garden has also become a place of serenity for me. Since I had the fake grass laid, then planted all the beautiful plants I love spending time outside in it. I water it like clockwork and speak to my plants as if they were my children. They totally respond by the way. But I just love to sometimes (when it is not peak sunshine where I will get burnt), just sit outside and meditate. Meditation has always helped me get back to what is the most important and to clear my head. I also started bush wallking more often with an amazing friend who is so at one with nature. I used to go walking with my mum back in Adelaide, but being out in rainforests, watching waterfalls and filling my lungs with fresh air was something I didn’t realise I needed or missed.

2016 was also the year that I discovered my love of craft. What started as a Friday afternoon  Wine-down (yes it was drinking craft) became a hobby that I love and became pretty damn good at. I said last year that I needed a creative outlet and I found it in the most unlikely of places. Expect craft to feature heavy here and in my social media posts. 2017 is going to be a big year for craft :p

I found and solidified life long friends this year too. Including 4 amazing people from my last place of employment that I know will be in my life in some way shape or form for the rest of my life. Some friendships were tested, but were strong enough to get through it and be stronger than they were before. Some were further solidified as lasting friendships too. I feel like I have collected people over the years that just make me happy and make me a better person just for knowing them. I am forever grateful for all of my friends no matter how often we might be in contact.

I was also heartbroken this year. Not in the way you imagine though. For 7 years, I have wanted a puppy of my own. Especially when George started doing FIFO, I just needed that constant love and companionship when he wasn’t there. I love having pets and grew up with dogs. So after much research I found a breeder and eventually met my future fur baby. He melted in my arms. He was perfect. He was mine. He was the Link I always had envisioned. Then because of reasons that I never saw coming, he was ripped out of my arms and my heart was ripped out of my chest then stomped on. I cried for weeks. I still get teary when I think of him. I don’t think I actually realised how messed up losing him made me at the time. But I guess things happen for a reason. I’m still not ready to even really start looking for another fur baby. That will come next year though I hope once some other exciting things are taken care of. Whatever happens though, I won’t be able to call my next furbaby Link. Even though I had always wanted a puppy called Link. I kinda had him, even though I never did.

Anyway, I guess that was 2016 for me. The roller-coaster ride that it was. Do I have any regrets? No. Do I wish some things had turned out differently, hell yes I do. But that is life. My life is pretty amazing. Actually it is fucking amazing. I am very blessed. Sometimes it can be hard to remember that (stupid brain, why do you hate me so?), but it is important to remember all the wonderful aspects of your life even if your brain decides that you shouldn’t. Especially if your brain defaults to a dark place. There are always ways to get yourself out of it, even if that includes asking others for help. You’ll be surprised as to how good people actually are and how much they want to help you.

So 2017, what do you have in store? At this point, it is very exciting and will be a year of travel! As of today we have booked a trip to Japan for a month for Sakura season, which is something I have been looking forward to for so long. We also found out not long ago, that we will be going to Africa for a wedding! Ikr! Africa! Me? Well it is happening and I am quite excited. I feel like 2017 is going to be a year that I can re-establish myself in a new career and kick so much arse. I will game more. In fact that is the only resolution I have. To game more. And my god there are so many awesome things happening in gaming next year! I’m going to cook more too. I want to perfect macarons, I want to use my Kitchen Aid more (and make sausages from my own mince!) and I want to try new things when it comes to food. I also need to blog more on here. One of my other projects is another blog that is not quite ready to share here yet (I will though I promise!) but has been taking up a lot of my free time as we set it up. So next year I need to strike a balance between this blog and my other one I am sharing with a friend. It will happen. I am feeling organised, and powerful because of my organisation. 2017 is going to be a big year!  Bring it on I say!