End of Year Tag 2012

Happy New Year everyone!

I hope 2013 is already off to a brilliant start for all of you and hope it's a year filled with good health and happiness! I've spent the last couple of days staying with my Sister to see in the New Year, watching movies and relaxing, which has been lovely.

I've put together another re-cap post for you, as I saw this epic tag post on several blogs over the last few days and decided it would be a good way to look back on the good and bad parts of 2012... so, without further pointless ramblings...

What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?

Well, I think I'll go with the obvious: I created this blog and began blogging about my personal style, fashion, life, and injury- and I loved it! I also went to several sessions of hydrotherapy, and group sessions of physiotherapy which I'd no previous experience of.

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I rarely make big new years' resolutions as I know I'll never stick to them. I've tried before and failed. Instead I made lots of little goals through Day Zero Project- such as read more books, learn how to file my nails, watch all the DVDs I own... and I managed to cross off lots of those little resolutions. I eventually forgot to keep updating it, and my injuries made many goals impossible, so I may start afresh this year. One goal I have for 2013 is to read more, and spend a little less time online.

Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes, one of my good friends had a little boy.

What countries did you visit?

None. I wasn't able to stray from home.

What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

My independence and freedom back. Although I have little control over my pain levels which confine me.

What dare from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory?

The last weekend in January, the 27th to 29th. An (apparently incompetent) doctor stupidly took me cold turkey off some strong medication, and I spent an entire weekend battling withdrawal symptoms. It was horrendous. I've never ever been so sick or in so much pain in my life. It was like having the worst flu you could imagine but a million times worse- fever, shakes, sickness, the lot, and I couldn't lie in one spot for more than ten seconds as I was in agony. I hope I'll never go through something like that again! It was also the weekend I learnt the extent of my injuries, as my regular GP had failed to tell me about most of them!

What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I think Polka Spots and Freckle Dots has been my best achievement. I've kept working away on my blog almost daily for over nine months now, and I'm proud of all the effort I've put in to it. It's been a great distraction, and has also helped to raise my self-confidence and my attitude towards my body.

I'm equally proud of myself for getting through the hardest year of my life with only minimal dark days and melt downs. Yes, it's been frustrating and agonising living every moment in extreme pain, but I've tried to keep a laid-back attitude towards the situation. I could've shouted and screamed and bawled like a baby, but it would never have changed what happened, so I didn't see the point of remaining in negativity 24/7. That was definitely an achievement!

What was your biggest failure?

I think for me, losing my mobility and much of my independence was difficult for me to comprehend. I'd waited nine months for my first physiotherapy appointment, and when the day finally came last May I was physically unable to move so I couldn't travel to the session. I beat myself up over that for ages and felt like I'd let my family down.

Did you suffer illness or injury?

You could say that, yeah, although the injuries were ongoing from September 2011. I injured several of my discs and spent the entire year in horrendous constant pain, and the majority of it in bed battling it. It's the main reason why I began this blog; as a distraction and something to keep me busy.

What was the best thing you bought?

My Kindle, a number of my dresses, and my hummingbird print skirt.

Where did most of your money go?

I think I can confidently state most of my money went on dresses... I now have a pretty great collection.

What song will always remind you of 2012?

Lost in Paradise by Evanescence- I played this song a lot,
We Are Young by Fun- because it was hard to escape this song. It was everywhere. And catchy.
The Power of Love by Gabrielle Aplin- I found this song through Hollyoaks and found it very haunting.
Fires by Ronan Keating- because the lyrics really spoke to me and I played the entire album a lot.
Leave Out All The Rest by Linkin Park- just one of those old favourites I listened to a lot.

Compared to this time last year, are you:

Happier or sadder?

I was quite content last New Year's, so pretty much the same!

Thinner or fatter?

About the same, give or take a couple of pounds.

Richer or poorer?

Poorer. I don't have the income I used to have.

What do you wish you'd done more of?

Read! I was great at the beginning of the year and read a fair few novels, but as the months passed I lost all concentration and began spending less time reading and more time online. I also wish I could've been up and about more, travelling, and enjoying myself but that wasn't possible and not down to my own actions.

What do you wish you'd done less of?

I wish I'd spent a little more time off the laptop.

Who were your best friends?

I've had the same best friend since I was eleven; her name is Angela, and we first met in year seven of secondary school as we were in the same form. We bonded over our shared love of Boyzone... sixteen years later and little has changed! She's been there to listen when pain and hospitals have upset and frustrated me, and kept me sane... I would not have gotten through the year without her.

I also couldn't have made it through 2012 if it weren't for my close friends Jacky and Ros who regularly messaged me to make sure I was okay, lent their ears, and distracted me. I'm so lucky to have all three of these ladies in my life!

What thing did you do that was meaningful to others?

I'm not sure if I did anything that was meaningful to anyone... although my best friend told me her birthday parcel meant a lot to her as I'd gone to the trouble of putting it together and posting it even though my mobility was limited.

What were your favourite TV programs?

I loved The Big Bang Theory, Two Broke Girls, Home and Away, and rewatching Lost and Sex and the City. I would also include Grey's Anatomy and Fringe, but I missed all programs that weren't on Freeview as I couldn't sit downstairs where we have Sky.

What was the best book you read in 2012?

Easily 'The Stand' by Stephen King! It was one of the longest books I've ever read, but also the most satisfying. It's about a super flu which rages through America wiping out much of the population, and the survivors have to build a new way of life. There are a few twists and turns involving a man they all see in their dreams they have to protect themselves from. It's one of my favourite ever reads, and I flew through that epic read in about a fortnight. Everyone should read this book this year!

I was also quite infatuated with The Hunger Games trilogy, and Stephen King's 'Under the Dome'.

What was your greatest musical discovery?

To be honest I didn't really discover many new bands in 2012, I stuck with my old favourites and their new albums, mostly. I have found a new love for She & Him, so I'll go with them.

What did you want and get?

Dresses!

What did you want but NOT get?

Freedom, independence, no pain, and recovery.

What was your favourite film of the year?

Titanic 3D (if that counts since it's an old classic), The Darkest Hour, The Lucky One, The Vow, and The Hunger Games.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I spent my birthday in bed watching movies, eating junk food, and playing cards with my Sister. I was twenty-seven. Honest!

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

If I'd have been free of pain. Or had a holiday.

Who kept you sane?

My close friends, and family (at times), but mostly my blog, my Kindle, and the Internet.

What celebrity/public figure did you fancy most?

Same as always: Every member of Boyzone, Mike Shinoda, Channing Tatum, Caleb and Nathan Followill, Hugh Jackman... need I go on?

Who did you miss?

My favourite girlies!

Who was the best new person you met this year?

Aside from all the fabulous blogger friends I've 'met' online, I've not really been able to socialise this year. I did however start chatting to a girl going through a similar situation to me during one of my physiotherapy group sessions a couple of weeks ago, We added each other on Facebook and it's been nice to have someone to chat to who I can relate to.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learnt in 2012:

All that really matters is your health and happiness, and everything else is just a bonus. Without your health, life will be a constant struggle and the biggest test you may ever face. I realised life is far too short to waste. It's far too short to waste stressing over stupid insignificant details. It's far too short to be unhappy. We need to live each moment well because we never know what the next day will bring. And I learnt it's okay to embrace who you are and how you look, regardless of what others might think of you.

Phew, that was a long questionnaire! If you've made it through to the end, congratulations! Thanks for not falling in to a boredom induced coma!

Have you done this tagged post yet? I'd love to read your post if you have! Make sure to leave a link in the comments so I can pop over for a look!