Looking Back at 2014

It's surprising how much one can change in a such a short period of time and although we often consider twelve months to be a considerable lengthy time period, it really isn't. As you get older the days seem to go faster than ever before and years seem more like a handful of months. When you get older, you realise the importance of how precious time is and how much you long to embrace every moment. I always knew 2014 would be a big year for me - after all the excitement had been building up over the last two years for my wedding and graduation, but I never expected how much I would develop as person. 2014 was the year that I truly became a 'woman' (as cliche as it sounds) and finally ditched the immaturities and lack of confidence that held me back. 2014 was the year I finally found my empowerment and that hard work really does pay off. If I can accomplish all that I did in only 12 months and manage to somehow survive,  the world really is my oyster.

Graduation

So what really happened in 2014? If you could list all the life changing moments a person will have minus having children, you will pretty much have summed up my year - passing my driving test, getting married, getting my first job, getting my first house and graduating university. In July last year I graduated university with a first class honours degree in Journalism. This was an accomplishment in itself as I had such a tough time during my three years at university with illness and family issues. At one point, one of my tutors suggested that I should post-pone university until I was physically and mentally stronger. I worked hard everyday - sometimes from my bed as I was too poorly to make it to university and I never gave in. Towards the end of my degree I told most people that after everything that went on, I'd be more than happy with a pass. To get a first class honours degree was like a dream come true - I don't know how I did it and I'm still in shock to this day, but I do know that I deserved it and I worked hard and I'm forever grateful for the guidance given to me by the University to make this possible.

The Wedding

It is every girls dream to have a fairytale wedding and on September 6th last year I married my best friend and soul mate James. Despite the heavy rain, everything else when to plan and it was the best day of my life so far. 

Health

Not everything in life can go perfectly and sometimes things can happen unannounced. During my final year at University I was struck down with extreme fatigue and really painful joints in my hands, wrists, knees and feet. The pain was so intense I could barely get out of bed and missed weeks off University. I went to the doctors repeatedly, begging them to take me seriously and look into my complaints and was told that it was all in my head. Emotionally and physically drained I kept pleading with doctors until they eventually ran further tests, which finally revealed that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, a chronic illness that not only affects your joints but also your immune system. Dealing with my diagnosis was difficult - being told that you have arthritis at 23 isn't the best news to receive and the stripping of my independence on flare up days made me feel frustrated and upset. However, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and since coming to terms with my health problems and adapting my lifestyle, I have now become a stronger, more confident person that looks at life in a different way. I'm more understanding of those that deal with health problems on a day to day basis. I've realised that I'm not invincible and that I have to look after myself as much as possible and most importantly I live for the moment and try grab any opportunities I can because you never know when things can take a turn for the worst.

2014 will always remain one of my most memorable years - for better and for worst and I doubt that any other year will beat it. However I will try my hardest to make 2015 every bit as memorable as the last and I look forward to what this year will bring.

What are your most memorable moments from 2014?