To ask what have you done this year that you're proud of?

[Sparklfairy]

Just musing this morning as I sort some last things out before Christmas, and it occurred to me how different my life is from 12 months ago. Whilst nothing I've done would be noteworthy to anyone else, I've had some small wins that I feel pretty proud of. Reading all the Christmas threads here lately, I think it's easy to get caught up in all the crazyness when really when we look back on 2019 we've got things we could and should pat ourselves on the back for.

I'll go first:

• I've spent my first full year ever living completely alone and independently. For the first time, I am in complete control of my life. This is a massive deal for me and my MH.

• Again for the first time ever, I spent 2019 (and half of 2018) single. I've bounced from bad relationship to bad relationship and been a serial dater, and (partially thanks to MN!) actually decided to take a time out from all of it, and get to know myself. I now actually really enjoy my own company and space (something I never thought I'd say). I've very recently started dating again, and it's amazing to realise shit that I would put up with or red flags that I would ignore. Don't settle.

• And finally, on a more lighthearted note, this terrified-of-heights MNer flew down the world's fastest zipwire last week

So what are you proud of for 2019?

Last night signed up with the OU to do a business mangement and accountancy courses. One step closer to my dream of owning a bakery.

I’m by nature someone who loves feeling secure and strongly dislikes taking risks.

Yet this year I sold my house, quit my job and gave away / sold nearly all my belongings to move in the third trimester of my pregnancy with 3 suitcases to the other side of the world to be with DH and now our DS.

It was practically very hard to organize my immigration also because I couldn’t tell my job about it before I had sold my house.

Looking back I have no idea how I managed it, but I did and I’m proud of my strength and feel quite brave

This year I have moved cities, found a new home and job and I’m pregnant again after a loss last year.
I’m so proud of what me and my partner have achieved together after a terrible 2018. I’m looking forward to 2020

I love this thread! When I saw the title I felt like replying that I survived this year. I was widowed late last year and never thought I would have achieved everything I have this year.

I took my 4 dc abroad for the first time ever,
I work nearly full time in a job I love that I landed 4 months after I lost my husband.
Supported my oldest child when she went through some serious mental health difficulties,
Bought a car,
Organised birthdays single handedly, paid all the bills, started dating, organised Christmas,

Feeling like Wonder woman when I look at like this rather than "I survived"!

Aw what a lovely cheerful thread! Bring on all the fresh opportunities of 2020 :)

What ive been most proud of this year:

• toilet training my dog and raising a really sweet natured pup
• saving up with my partner to make changes to our home
• travelled to Asia for a month
• I really struggled with my MH due to work stress and talked to my doctor about it. they signed me off for a short period which allowed me to review everything that was making me unhappy. I went out and got a new job paying more money.
• I started the year going to the gym loads, not so much now
• I got around to trying a four week yoga course to see if it was for me
• Ive made big decisions about what I want to do career wise from next year and started making opportunities for myself to go down that path
• I let go of a toxic friendship
• I have made lots of effort with my friends and checking in on them regularly

I've finally divorced, bought a new flat, worked with a therapist, started to put myself first in a positive way and went on my first solo holiday.

I'm spending Christmas alone and I'm so looking forward to it.

I had major surgery.
It wasn't something I had any control over as it was life threatening, but I struggle with crippling anxiety and find it very hard to interact with people I don't know, especially if I haven't got my DH with me.
I got though the surgery and 4 days in hospital.
2 weeks later I was re admitted to a different hospital with a serious infection in my wound.
I coped with arriving on the ward in the early hours of the morning, then waking up to a room full of complete strangers. My worst nightmare!!
Go me!! 😆

Bought my first home congratulations to everyone on your achievements!!

For the first time ever in my life I have a mum, a dad and a stepmum all of whom I know care about me and support me .

My dad and I didn’t see each other for 21 years, and I’ve never really spoken to my stepmother before . My mum has always been very unwell (mentally) but this year she’s come on in strides and I’m proud of her .

It means the world to me to know I’ve got all three of them behind me .

Worked up the courage to walk in to a roomful of strangers and ask to join a choir.
I love it and now have a lot of new friends.

Whistleblew some serious concerns at work. I actually did it at the very end of last year but the effects have been seen this year.

Supported DS2 to achieve a smooth transition from primary to secondary school. It could have been a bumpy ride but in the end has been plain sailing and I couldn’t be happier for him.

Taken a sideways step into a new job that I am thoroughly enjoying.

Fantastic post OP well done to all....
I've lost 5 stone
I say no more and become my own person !!!

I've had a crappy year between losing my job and ending a 6 year relationship, however I've gone from a size 22 down to a 14 so I'm definitely going to enjoy this years xmas dinner!

Oooo I love this.

Last Christmas I had a bit of an epiphany about my parents, whose approval I have sought for as long as I can remember. I suddenly realised last year that although they have done their bit as parents, they actually add very little to my life now and do more damage than good. This year I can honestly say I'm not bothered that we're won't see them on Christmas Day and that it's my PIL's turn to have us and the kids this year. We'll spend Boxing Day with my parents, but I'll suggest a walk with other family members to dilute things a bit.

I'm hoping to use 2020 to focus even more on my sons and husband and build on what I've achieved this year. We are good enough as we are.

I'm proud of myself for bringing gorgeous DS2 into the world in April, and of DH and I for surviving 2 under 2. I'm proud of DS1 for being such a great big brother and for dealing with the addition of a new baby like a pro.

I have relentlessly campaigned for my son to get help from post adoption support and we are now getting somewhere. It has been exhausting, but I am really proud of myself for being “that parent” and getting the best for my boy.

Just surviving the year as a single mum to 3 working full time is enough of an achievement for me to be proud of.
I feel my relationships with my kids have grown closer, and they are growing into wonderful young people.
I also created a pretty garden from what was just a patch of grass, which I love seeing every time I look out the window.

Returned to work after maternity leave and embracing my new life as a working mum.

Standing up for myself, not people pleasing. Understanding and working through childhood traumas and starting to break away from toxic relationships. With the help and wisdom of MN obvs!

Got 2 new jobs after being unemployed for a couple of years.

Started running, and took a course in something that interested me

@Sparklfairy thank you for starting this thread, it is truly uplifting to read about everyone's joys

• I finished the first year of my masters course! (Including a very difficult placement)
• I did the race for life
• I lost a stone
• I learnt to drive (ish- test booked for January!)

Completed my second year of being alcohol free 😀😀😀😀😀

Joined a local club for ongoing hobby & met some lovely people

Passed my next level exam for this hobby

Supported someone successfully through some medical procedures

Completed most of the ' to do list of things' that I wrote in January

Thanks OP for starting this thread
It's a lovely way to acknowledge things that we brush off as being minor because it's 'us' whereas if it were someone else we'd congratulate them without question!
@DDIJ You have come onto a thread full of strangers and cheered them on, that's something to be proud of

My initial thought was that I had nothing to add but I do.
I've pulled through a low patch and after accepting that I was struggling, shared that with those close to me. I've always put on a braver face than I felt for fear of being judged as inadequate so it was a big deal to me.
I drove hundreds of miles around Florida (I hate driving on the wrong side of the road and had only done it once before on a small island).
Wrote notes for a celebrant that turned out to be the eulogy for my late uncle as the celebrant felt it was great as it was.
Finally, had the tenacity to get referred to a specialist about my ongoing non specific health issues. The likely diagnosis which I've had to research and figure for myself isn't great but at least I know I'm finally being believed and listened to.

Gave birth to two beautiful babies - boy/girl twins who are nearly five months old!