10 Things I Have Learnt In 2021

Not only is December going very quickly, it is also nearly the end of 2021. To be honest, I am one of those superstitious people who prefers even years over 2022. And start the year in lockdown didn’t add the most optimistic outlook on the year, however 2021 has actually turned out to be one of the biggest learning curves of my life and career so far. It has gone so quickly, but as I am writing this post and trying to look back to the start of the year it seems like years and years ago. There is three weeks left of 2021 so I thought I would do a little blog post about ten things I have learnt this year. So grab a cuppa and let’s have a chat

1) You cannot afford to worry (too long) about things you can’t control. I am a worrier at heart and an over thinker. I spent far too long this year worrying about things that I actually cannot control. The whole worry over covid at the start and end of the year is something that I did worry about, but in reality I cannot control what happens. Whether we go into a lockdown or not, it isn’t something I can change. But what I can change is my outlook on whatever situation – not just covid related, but anything that happens and its then my actions about that which matters.

2) I love pilates. Okay, not a deep point like the last one, but I learnt this year that I loved pilates. I was a big gym goer before covid, and after the lockdowns I found myself struggle to get back into the swing of going to the gym. I did go, however I wasn’t enjoying it. So instead, I took up pilates, which I found I love. I do classes with The Pilates Class, and whilst it is tough, I have seen the positive effects on my body. Whilst I am not necessarily in the shape I was when I was going to the gym, pilates makes my body feel healthy, and worked to a balance that is good for it.

3) I really want to visit more places in the UK. This year Jack and I decided not to go abroad, and instead we decided to do two trips within the UK. In July we went to London and in September we went to Edinburgh. I loved both places, and fell in love with Edinburgh and its made me want to go to more UK places for mini breaks. I would love to go to the likes of Liverpool, Brighton, and many other places because its true that there are some gems on our doorsteps.

4) If you work hard you will reap the rewards. In July I found out I would be graduating university with first degree honours. Since starting university I dreamed of graduating with a first and I made sure I worked hard to get there. But it is all relevant – no matter what grade you get. However this was just something I set my targets on three years ago and managed to achieve it after that time.

5) I need to stop dying my hair. Now as much as I love being in the blonde club, I know I need to stop dying it blonde. As much as I love it, my natural colour is so much darker, so bleaching it after three years has lead to it to be drier, thinner and more damaged. I am going to go back to my natural colour eventually, however after a dye job going wrong in October I wish I figured this out before haha!

6) I have learnt SO MUCH in just 6 months of business. If I tried to name every single lesson I have been taught since starting my business Thirty Five The Studio, we would be here all day. From tricky clients, clients who won’t pay, work flows and how I should be pricing my services. The list is endless. And I am so grateful to those lessons because it is only going to benefit me in the long run.

7) I have learned about the power of business friendships. I am quite lucky in the fact that I have made some amazing connections to other freelancers and self-employed people since starting Thirty Five. And some of these connections have been so helpful education wise, however it’s not about the education side of things. It is more about how nice it is to have people around you who understand your line of work – to go to for a rant, or to help them, or have a coffee. It is something I didn’t know before.

8) Instagram is not my life. It is my job. Since having my blog and developing my content creator account on Instagram, I became very sucked into a world of having to be on Instagram everyday. From posting everyday, to engaging everyday, I spent so much time on the platform in the last however many years. It has only been this year that I have realised I do not need to do that. I won’t be missed if I don’t like or comment on one post, or if I choose not to post on a Saturday. This is something I am going to continue to channel next year.

9) I still hate hangovers so I haven learnt my drinking limits. I hate hangovers as I cannot do being ill. I hate the idea I am wasting a day in bed with a hangover when I have got things I can be getting on with. This started when I was at uni because juggling uni, a job, my blog, my Instagram and a life meant I had to work every day. So a day spent hangover wasn’t in the question. I have had two memorable hangovers this year, and both have reminded my I have drink limits haha. I am also not much of a drinker – I will have some at home, but I also don’t go out drinking. And I have learned not to feel bad for not drinking. Life can be fun without a drink.

10) Life is going quicker than it has ever done, so make sure to make the most of each day. I have started journalling in 2021. I use the Five Minutes journal where I just fill it out every morning and evening. It has allowed me to see (in the most non-cheesy way possible) that life is going quicker than ever so to savour every moment. I will see my family as much as I can, meet with friends when I can, and just live life more positively.

Let me know in the comments what you have learnt this year!

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