What is the best thing you have done this year?

[midgetjen]

It's been a tough year here, but I have made lots of positive changes in my life and want to keep the momentum going.

So I would love to ask what your highlights of the year have been? A new habit, fab holiday, anything big or absolutely tiny, I would love to hear for inspiration.

Thanks in advance!

Lost 2 stone, back in healthy range.
Went back to work after several years not working albeit 12 hrs per week but a start.
Took up Pilates.
Went on amazing cruise.

Went to a wedding of someone who thought they'd never meet anyone and had given up on love 2 yrs ago.

I finally took the plunge and started singing lessons after a lifetime of wishing i could sing. Even after just a few lessons, my voice is so much more powerful and the effect it has had on my unmedicated adhd and anxiety is incredible. I get such a thrill from being able to sing anything i want, loudly and actually like how i sound. I can't wait to see what it'll be like by the end of 2025.

Learnt how to set boundaries and stick to them, it has been liberating.
Only saying yes to things I really want to do, and not doing anything out of obligation.
Made my life so much better and freed up so much time to spend with family/me time, as people no longer see me as the default person to ask for favours.

Went to Japan.

Kept running despite a horrible betrayal by my partner

Went from absolute zero except use wise this time last year, to competing in 2 world class sports competitions.
Everyone pretty much laughed at me when I said I was going to enter, apart from my dc and my dad.
I can’t quite believe it myself. I’m shooting for the moon next year 😁

*exercise wise

I've been lucky enough to have had some amazing experiences this year- seeing Taylor Swift with my best friend after 10 years of mutual fandom stands out! I've run a marathon abroad and had some amazing trips abroad and a lovely new bathroom. Feeling very grateful after some tough years, the plan was to seize the day.

However, this Christmas has made me realise that the actual best thing I've done this year is change job. Last Christmas I was logging in to work and crying at what was in my inbox and spending the day fearful of interactions with a whole host of toxic people.

I made an internal move to a new department, chosen over a "flashy" job in London and have found an interesting role, friendly and warm colleagues and absolutely no hint of a toxic culture. I went into Christmas feeling relaxed about work and planning to spend plenty of time studying for the relevant qualification my new team have sponsored me to do. The change how I feel on a day to day basis is remarkable!

Just after Christmas for me. Congratulations

Resigned from my exec job two weeks before Christmas as despite earning hundreds of thousands, I have to stop setting myself on fire to keep the company warm.

My DC need more of me, and I need to spend more time with them. I am on 6 months notice so have a bit of time to figure out the future, but my strongest pull at the moment is freelancing on my own terms.

I've also been approached about working overseas which would mean a completely different way of life, however would involve some tricky conversations with my EXDP as he now spends a decent amount of time with our DC.

2025 is looking very scary, but feels exciting at the same tine.

Lost almost 5 stone which has been life changing.

Learnt to crochet which isn't life changing but is a lot of fun and I have a pile of lovely blankets that I have made.

What's the side gig??

Gave up alcohol.

Lost 50lbs. Thanks Mounjaro

Had a baby. What an amazing adventure it has been thus far ❤️

I did a marathon aged 60 and raised a lot of money for charity in the summer and was Mrs Claus at the local petting farm leading up to Christmas. Ive never had children or had a lot to do with children, but doing this was pure magical - not just for the little ones

Was the squeaky wheel all year about my son's treatment for his chronic illness. He's finally getting what he needs and since September is at 96% attendance (he had a day off for a round of treatment) at school, compared to 25% the last two years. In his recent mock GCSEs he got a 9 in Computer Science and I'm so bloody proud of him - he's had a shitty few years, been very ill, been in a lot of pain, was in a wheelchair, and been in and out of GOSH but for now it's under control. (Unfortunately no cure, just life-long treatment which can be more or less successful as the illness changes).

If you think there's something wrong with your child, please keep following it up, and if the treatment isn't worrying, keep pushing for something different. It's exhausting, but a mother's intuition is usually right.