For me, 2016 didn't have the best start - after dropping out of uni at the end of 2015, I had no definitive plans for the future and was just generally feeling a bit down. There were no jobs going and it took a couple of nail biting months until I finally heard back from ucas to say that I'd got an offer from a uni I really wanted to go to for a degree that I really wanted to study. During this time, I was feeling so poor, isolated and frustrated that I never would have guessed that 2016 would turn out to not be so bad! Here are my 2016 highlights (most of them take place in the second half of the year as that was when everything started to fall into place and I finally got my shit together!):

  • I went to see the Britain's Got Talent auditions in London - thanks for inviting me Hannah!
  • I became a vegetarian in February and haven't looked back since!
  • Went to London with the fam, had cocktails on a rooftop bar and shared a lift with Alex from Made In Chelsea. 
  • I ran my very first 10k at the end of May! I didn't finish it very quickly at all but was super proud of myself for finishing, especially as during my training I had never ran that distance before.
  • I then ran 5k for Cancer Research in June with my friend - again, wasn't very quick and ngl I struggled more than I did for the 10k, but felt good to have raised some money!
  • I finally got a job!!! $$$
  • I went to sunny and colourful Copenhagen in June with the fam. It was so hot that I burned on the first day but I enjoyed exploring the city and particularly Tivoli World. The only bad thing about Copenhagen was the lack of meat free options for me :( I still haven't gotten round to sharing any photos from that trip on the blog but let me know if you'd like to see that!
  • At the end of June I got to see my absolutely favourite band in the whole, wide world - Coldplay! Perhaps not a band for everyone but I absolutely loved it! Didn't really feel like paying £££ to stand but next time maybe!
  • Saw the Red Arrows at Farnborough Airshow in July. They didn't do their usual performance due to safety concerns but was still awesome to see them fly over.
  • I started a new degree at a new university and I am absolutely loving it!
  • Again, not a highlight as I miss her terribly, but I said goodbye to my sister who's gone travelling around South East Asia and Australia, but a definite highlight for her.
  • After doing my exam/handing in a bunch of assignments at uni (some which I've got the mark back for, some which I haven't) I'm  consistently getting 2:1's which I'm pleased about (although I'm determined to get at least one first in semester 2).
  • I worked my little butt off at uni in November/December so that I'd be able to go to Berlin with my parents without having to worry about any assignments. Berlin was absolutely amazing and so so so festive! I would love to go back! Still need to post photos from that trip too...
  • Despite my sister not being home for Christmas for the first time ever, I actually had such a lovely Christmas! We had a bunch of family members stay with us for over a week (some who I rarely get to see) and it was so fun!

I'm well aware that 2016 has been a bit of a shit show, you only have to look at the headline news stories to figure that out, but for the first time in a few years, I'm actually feeling pretty optimistic about transitioning into the new year. I've already got a few potentially exciting plans for 2017 including running (possibly) 4 more 10ks and (hopefully) going to see my sister in Australia in the summer!!! Bring on 2017.

What have been your highlights of 2016? What are you looking forward to in 2017?