What have you achieved / survived this year?

[SinkGirl]

Just thinking back over this year which has been absolutely brutal for us and so many, not just because of COVID but other things too. I’ve been trying to think of the things I’ve achieved this year to focus on those instead of all the stress and worry.

I think all of us have achieved something this year, even if it’s just getting through this

What are you proud of from this year?
Come and share the things you’ve survived and succeeded in this year so we can all celebrate the big and little things. I want to tell you all how brilliant you are, because we all need to hear it I think!

I've done loads of decorating including painting my kitchen cabinets and wallpapering for the first time.
My house is actually looking pretty good!

Grown a baby
Decorated our first home
Worked ridiculous hours to keep other people in jobs
Supported DH through changes at his job & bereavement. We’re closer than ever.

Graduated at the age of 57 with a first class honours degree

Lost 20 lbs
Started learning gaelic
Did my first pull up at the age of 51

I've run nearly 1000 miles, and 'elevation gain' of 54.000 ft which is nearly twice the height of Everest

I've maintained a 3 stone weight loss for the 3rd year (actually 5lbs lighter)

I did a 'whole30' which was amazing and I'm now on day 148- no sugar, no dairy, no grains, no processed food. I can honestly say it's the most positive change I've ever made in my life for myself and I'm starting to be really free of a lifetime of food/weight/body issues plus physical benefits too.

I've got a new job which I interviewed for via zoom in lockdown, started September and I love it.

I have had, and survived, coronavirus!

It's been a weird year but it's really helps me see the changes I want to fight for in my life going forward. Eg. We are determined to 'do more stuff' next year (days out, meals out, experiences with the children).

SO much. Too many things to list.
Most are professional achievements in my job, so so many, I am extremely proud.
Personally as a result of the level of work I have put into my achievements I ended up with burnout.
But I’ve conquered that bugger and come out the other end healthier, more aware and calmer.

I got a new job, started that, met a huge raft of new people, think I’m going to thrive in this job.

It’s been a humdinger of a year.

Had DS2 in January

Carried on breastfeeding DS2 through (probable) coronavirus in March

Finished my MSc in September and got a Merit

(I didn't learn to drive though which was my 2020 resultion - will try again in 2021 when hopefully we don't have to contend with masks and glasses)

Nothing like the achievements of people in here but finally went to Iceland (the country not the shop) after 30 years of wanting to.

It was when everything was starting to open up in the summer and we were lucky to see everything without lots of cruise ship groups everywhere.

@whiteroseredrose

Nothing like the achievements of people in here but finally went to Iceland (the country not the shop) after 30 years of wanting to.

It was when everything was starting to open up in the summer and we were lucky to see everything without lots of cruise ship groups everywhere.

That sounds great, Iceland (again, not the shop) is on my bucket list 👍🏼

I got a career qualification and had a baby! Not too shabby 🤣

@snowstorm2020 it didn't disappoint!

Sorry @snowstorm2012. I can't count!!

I'm just impressed that my sanity is still intact! Started the year with a horrendous bout of anxiety and depression, but by the time the pandemic kicked in my anti depressants had started to work and I was in therapy. So now I see that mental health crisis as a blessing, as I dread to think how bad I would have been had the pandemic begun without starting treatment.

We moved countries in the midst of the pandemic and I'm proud of how we handled it all and are still strong as a family. We were in South Africa which had closed its borders so we didn't know for months when we would be moving out of the country which was incredibly stressful. We are now in a country where schools are still closed for the foreseeable future and my son is online learning. Hasn't been in school since March, now moved to a new country where he is currently unable to meet his classmates in the flesh - which he is finding very hard. And my patience with online learning is practically zero.

We are very lucky though to have our health, our jobs and we don't know anyone who has died from Covid. So in that sense we have had it easy. But my achievement for the year is that despite how hard and stressful it has been for us, my mental health has actually managed to improve and I'm not where I was at the beginning of the year. Now I just need the schools to open again so that I can get on with an actual tangible achievement!

@SinkGirl

Good for you. I did my first mens haircut on DH too, and it was not terrible, which is an achievement in itself!

Sam here, with the clippers an ‘all.

I didn’t do a bad job. Not sure why he walked about with a baseball cap afterwards in the middle of summer though......🤔😂.
Only kidding, he was happy.

*same.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer. I've just finished 6 rounds of nasty chemo. Surgery in a months time.

I'm early 40's and have 2 young kids and was enjoying life. To say this year has been challenging is an understatement. But I got through the chemo and I'm so happy about that and will enjoy Christmas as best as I can.

Nothing positive here really. Forced to WFH since March which fucked up my mental health, diagnosed with fibromyalgia and then my father died last week. Been shit really

@ChipsAndKetchup

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer. I've just finished 6 rounds of nasty chemo. Surgery in a months time.

I'm early 40's and have 2 young kids and was enjoying life. To say this year has been challenging is an understatement. But I got through the chemo and I'm so happy about that and will enjoy Christmas as best as I can.

I'm sorry you've been through that, I hope this Christmas is a good one for you.

To everyone else that has had a challenging or shit year, I hope the next one is better for you.

Chips 💐 I really can’t bitch about 2020. Wishing you well for the surgery.

I survived doing some public-facing work for my employer.

Still hate it. Some of us are not cut out for public speaking. But I survived.

Achieved - starting to play an instrument I've always wanted to learn.

Survived - condescending tossers having a go at me on MN.

What are you learning? I’ve always fancied learning the drums- but the neighbours won’t be happy!

Electronic drum kit! Problem solved!

I got a digital piano last year and this year have been learning - I’m very grateful for the volume control and headphone jack, and I’m sure my neighbours are too!

I hope you can all give an internal high five for achieving so much and getting through so much. @dementedma I have fibromyalgia too (plus endometriosis and adenomyosis) and stress, bereavement etc all exacerbate it so much. I’m so sorry you’ve had such a tough year but it’s amazing to have made it though this year - I hope next year is better.

@ChipsAndKetchup congratulations on finishing your chemo - I hope you have an amazing Christmas and a brighter 2021

I've been sober for 9 months ~ stopped the week before lock down was announced 😂 somehow managed to stay off it and feel 100% better.

@ThatIsNotMyUsername

What are you learning? I’ve always fancied learning the drums- but the neighbours won’t be happy!

Bass guitar, but I've only had a few lessons so far. I actually managed to play along with an entire rendition of 'Last Christmas' yesterday.