Hello Dolls!
I hope everyone had a great Christmas day and do not worry about "I think I over ate" as it is the holiday season, LIVE LOVE AND LAUGH A LITTLE!
I think it is only mandatory I reflect upon my 2015 and make some wise decisions about the upcoming new year..Decisions...Not Resolutions mind!
Well, now I am sat here wondering where do I start..I mean it only makes sense to start from the beginning of 2015, right?!
January - March 2015: The year started off with a lot of procrastinating! I had exams in mid January but did that stop my friends and I from venturing around in Birmingham trying out new cuisines? No it certainly did not. Especially that one Sunday...at 11pm. The beginning of the year was truly blessed. I had wonderful company around me and an array of adventures. My fitness journey at this time as going splendidly as I was finally closer to the body I wanted. I even got my belly button pierced which made me really happy. As I was still part of my University Pakistani Society, not only was I busy studying but also was involved in the organisation of a star studded charity dinner and dance. As an avid dancer, I, yet again, graced the stage and danced for the event. It was a really memorable night. So this quarter of the year taught me, it's okay to cut a little slack every now and then to laugh and enjoy the company and environment around you.
April - June 2015: Come Easter time and once again it was time for exams. I was starting to become extremely stressed at this stage as I had 8 exams and a lot of coursework to do. Yet again I found myself being whisked away to restaurants by my friends. I really can't say no to food! At this stage, I found myself in extreme agony due to a wisdom tooth that was growing. This was so inconvenient as it made it very difficult to revise. But I soldiered on and did what I could. I sat all my exams, Then forgot all about them as the academic year was over mid May. Now it was time to enjoy the last remaining days with one of my best friends and whom I consider my elder sister, as she was getting married in the summer and moving abroad. It was nice to spend time with her and the rest of my friends who were graduating. This quarter of my year taught me to always make time for those I love and care about. Even if its a simple message saying thinking of you.
July -September 2015: This, by far, was the toughest summer I have had. It started off really well. I spent a week at home for Ramadan and then managed to find myself a summer placement assisting a PhD student on his research project. Therefore, I returned to uni. I was in labs all day while fasting and living alone. This however wasn't as tough as I thought it'd be. I actually like living alone...when I have friends nearby to visit! On the 3rd week of July I attended my friend's (from earlier) graduation. When I really care about you, I will put a lot of time and effort in.There was no way I was gonna miss her graduation! It was wonderful to see her graduate. I had to stop myself from crying. But that was it for my happy time. Towards the end of July I found out I had to retake two exams. It was two exams I took on the day I had the worst dental pain and was generally unwell. I'm not one to sit and mope. I accept what is what and plan my next step. I actually started revising the day after. Luckily, I was granted full uncapped resits as I had extenuating circumstances. That wasn't even the worst part. Two weeks before my retakes, I suddenly came down with an infection. I won't go into too much detail but it was my kidneys and had slowly started becoming systemic. I was hospitalised. I had never experienced such pain before. I had never cried so much before. Yet, there I am in hospital and all I can think about it I need to revise and pass my exams. My education is very important to me. But in that moment, I made it more important than my health. Alhamdhulilah, I eventually recovered with just a week to revise. I had to wait till September to find out my results and if I made it into my Masters year. I did. I passed! I also had two Pre-Reg offers - Lloyds and Wexham Hospital. I chose to accept Wexham. The timing could not have been more perfect! This summer taught me, be ambitious and never give up. There will be obstacles, but you let them pass and plan your course of action to reach your goals. It taught me, to never work too hard that I compromise my health.
October - December 2015: October started with a lot of self consciousness. Since my hospitalisation, I wasn't allowed to gym till I was fully recovered. At this point I was really weak. I slept a lot and had very little energy for even a walk. I was eating a lot of junk too. I gained weight. A lot of it was my kidneys reabsorbing water after the shock my body received. Because of society, because I felt everyone was thinking "My hasn't she gained weight" I became really body conscious, I hated my body to be honest. I hated looking in the mirror. My closest girl friends were abroad now as they finished university. I felt very lonely to be honest. It was not a good month. Come November, I got the "You're fully recovered now" from the doctor, I knew it myself as I started feeling much better! I started to attend gym again. By this time I learnt to love my body. I told myself, I am not returning to gym to become skinny. No, I am returning to become a better version of what my body is now, to stay healthy and boost my immune system. My diet still needs a bit of work though! Oh well, small steps! I turned 22 in December. 22! It was a good celebration where my friends from home came down. I have been friends with them for 11 years. They're two girls who I love to bits. I feel much more like an adult now. I will be graduating soon and starting work. A new chapter awaits! The final quarter of the year taught me some things are blessings in disguise. To love myself. Things take time. Nothing happens overnight. Count your blessings and keep smiling.
I am now starting to feel more like myself. Its been a happy and tough year. Not that I ever show to anyone. I always wear a smile on my face no matter what I may be going through. Try it. Smile more. It's how your perception which dictates your life. YOU can choose to be happy or to dwell on things that make you sad. Dpn't get me wrong, I have my sad days too. Some times you do need a good cry, but not everyday.
So, now that's my life story of 2015, what to expect from 2016 and the rest of the years to come?
1) Continue Gym and Dance
2) Eat healthy but not fall into silly food diets/trends
3) Stay in contact with the girls
4) Continue smiling and be happy
5) Love myself more
6) Love someone else? Haha!
7) Never give up on my goals
8) Continue building memories
There's more but they're staying with me.
Finally, thank you for taking the time to read my little reflection. I hope your 2015 was good and if not then use it to learn some lessons from. After all, you learn from experience, incidents and mistakes. May you all have a blessed 2016.
Until next time,
Anastasia xo
