My 2017 Highlights

2017, has been a crazy year. I'm not sure if you could call it worse or better than 2016, but hey, at least I'm still here. 2017 has been a busy year for sure. It's gone by in a flash. I know everyone says that but for me it really has. There's been some notable highs and some serious lows.

My mental health has been all over the place this year. If you follow me on social media, you would be very well aware of that. However, as I write this I really do believe I'm in a much better place then what I have been during some parts of this year, which is such an achievement for me. This year has been full of therapy, CBT and medication, all of which is currently coming to an end.

I'll be writing about my honest thoughts and feelings on the treatment I received this year, in January, so keep your eyes peeled for that. Mental health aside, for now, I've had amazing opportunities this year, including visiting some beautiful places and meeting some lovely people. My blog has also gone from strength to strength this year, giving me a chance to work with some amazing brands and charities. I could go on forever, so let's take it month and month before I waffle forever...

JANUARY 

January is always a dull month. No one every likes January. Christmas has been and gone. The weather is still rubbish, and there is nothing to look forward to. Luckily for me, I did have something to look forward to, my first ever blogger meet up. I travelled down to Portsmouth for a mental health blogger meet organised by the lovely Mike and Mel. It was so lovely to meet so many inspiring mental health bloggers all at once.

FEBRUARY

In February, I had a weekend away booked to London. We spent one day shopping on Oxford Street and the other day visiting the science and natural history museum. It was my first time on the tube too. I was very nervous, but it was actually alright. It was a major achievement for me, beating my OCD and anxiety. Plus I had a great time as well.

APRIL

In April I decided to do something which I've never done before, dye my hair a bright colour. I went with pink, and it went perfectly. It turned out so well. I was so chuffed with it (Who says chuffed anyway LOL) it boosted my confidence so much, and I couldn't shut up about it on social media. 

MAY

The pink faded out eventually and in May I decided to dye it blue. Again it went well after a few tries, and I was so happy with it. My new found confidence well and truly continued. I think this was really evident on social media at the time, as well. 

JULY

July soon rolled around, and boy wasn't this a busy month. On the 15th of July, I launched the first issue of Beautiful Minds magazine. A project I started all by myself to reduce the stigma around mental health and educate people about a wide range of mental health problems. This issue was so well received. I couldn't have been more delighted. Soon after issue one was launched, I went on holiday. 

I spent in the lake district, and I actually think it was the best holiday I have ever had. I had a complete social media detox, and it was generally the best thing I could have done for my mental health. You can check out my photo diary here. I also dyed my hair again in July. This time bright red.

AUGUST 

August was an equally busy month. I went to another blogger meet up, this time in Southampton. Although a slightly smaller meet up this time, it was no less enjoyable or fun. It was lovely to see some familiar faces and meet some new ones. 

I went for another weekend away month. This time we stayed just outside of London and visited the Harry Potter studios, ie. My second home. I loved it as much as I did the last time I visited. You can look at what I got up to here. On the second day, we visited Whipsnade zoo which was a great day out too. 

We also managed to squeeze a trip into Highclere, where Downton Abbey was filmed. It's as amazing in real life as it is in the TV series.

OCTOBER 

Its October and I'm back at college. October was also the month that issue 2 of Beautiful Minds magazine was released. We actually had a cover star on this month's issue. Earlier in the year, I met up with Becky from theowlet.co.uk, and I had a lovely interview with her and Photoshoot. It was a delight to meet Becky.

I really hope you enjoyed this round-up of my 2017. It was a good year for many reasons and also a not so good year for other reasons. But by looking at the happiest moments of the year, I definitely think the positives from the year outweigh the negatives. 

Thank you for all your continued support of my blog this year. Whether you joined us in 2017 or are a long time reader, your support means everything. 

I wish you all a happy and healthy New year! 

I would love to know your highlights of 2017 in the comments below.

Thank you for reading, as always X

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