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?

What a great thread idea. I have the following:

1. Left my horrible job and got a new one - and as a bonus new job was two grades higher than the old one with a lovely pay rise! My advice to anyone job hunting is to aim higher than you think you can meet, as it worked for me!

1. Started running. I can now run (almost) 5k. The scales don’t show a lot of difference but my clothes fit so much better and I feel much better too. Hoping to increase distance - a bit - next year.

1. Travelled all the way to NZ by myself to visit my friend this year. Thoroughly enjoyed it. My mum was flabbergasted that I would travel by myself - why not (as I’ve pointed out to her several times).

Hoping for more achievements in 2020!

Lovely to see women celebrating themselves and being proud of their achievements, so thanks OP

I have continued with my diet and have now lost over 7 stones in two years, I’ve taken up exercise and stuck to it, I’ve also gone back to tap dancing classes (which is a biggie for me with my anxiety). I’ve also got my Masters degree (with a merit). Yay me!

@DDIJ couldnt let that go, being proud of something could be as simple as making your bed every morning or just that once standing up to an arsehole in your life.
Sometimes we forget to celebrate the tiny victories in life and I really hope that in the new year you can find some victories - tiny or large. Big un-mumsnetty hug

Became an organised and tidy person after being messy my whole life.

Became confident in my abilities as a mother and made the right decisions in terms of knowing when he needed medical help.

Called out a drunk woman who was racially abusing other passengers on a busy commuter train - no one else said something I was secretly hoping someone would start a thread about it on here

With encouragement of my counsellor, told my work to make changes to my job or I would have to resign/ be signed off. It worked

Survived. I’m trapped at home with very high needs DC and I haven’t slept through the night for three years. I have no friends, no career and no time to myself because DC won’t go to sleep till midnight and is up at 8am, so I’m constantly
exhausted and don’t have a single second without a child attached to me. My life isn’t worth living. But another year has passed and everyone is still alive and healthy. I’m serving a life sentence and I’m one year closer to freedom.

Got a distinction in my masters degree.
Move into a new home, and have made it lovely and cosy.
Started a PhD.
Finally gave up my job and started on the career I have always wanted. Fingers crossed, going well so far

Lovely thread op
Got me and my girls through another year of the daily grinds with some great memories and highlights too with very few errors such as forgetting something
So proud of my relationship with my DD1 (teenager) and how close we are and I’ve managed to be there for her through every one of her struggles
Been there for others in my life through their hard times and helped when and where I can
Finally managed to get our garden done and looking W lovely after 5 years of wanting to start it
Been a pretty good year for me and mine and hoping 2020 will continue the same

I've started putting myself first, my tolerance to people's bullshit is lower. I'm saying no and challenging more. I don't know if it's my age but it feels really good and quite liberating. I also passed my driving test last month.

I love this thread. I've got nothing to contribute though, I've done nothing all year.

I left my job where I was bullied and becoming depressed. So that's good. However I've totally failed to get a new job so must work on that asap in 2020!

Learnt how to say no to people but most importantly, fallen pregnant after almost a year of trying and gave birth to my daughter a couple of weeks ago🥰

I’ve found a private counsellor to help with my anxiety and depression, worth every penny and feels like I actually “own” my problems now.

This time me & DD (then 9 months) were made homeless and sleeping in emerg accommodation. Now we are happily in our forever home waiting for santa to come & i am so excited!!

After 8 years of not working (visa issues then having ds) I've started working for the local newspaper with a view to being the owner and editor in two years.

Made a lot of Christmas cards which all sold out and made a nice profit for something I had fun doing.

I quit smoking

I bought a house with my fiance, from our own money with no finance from family.
I got accepted into a Master's program
I started a small business that donates 20% of profit mental health charity Mind - and have almost £50 to donate since September.
I finally got the balls to leave an awful work environment where I was underappreciated, and start a new job on the 6th Jan! This was a big step as it was my first "proper" job after leaving uni and was all I had known work-wise my adult life!

Started divorce proceedings, sorted out 2 remortgages, finally clearing out all the clutter, 10 years worth actually, it’s so daunting and at times can’t see the wood from the tress but I am getting on with it - instead of sitting down with a cup of tea and reading mumsnet!!

Lovely thread op!

• had my first baby after two years of trying.
• saved enough money to buy our dream house (not long until we get to move in) and have money to spare to do it up! 5 years of saving finally paying off!

It’s great to see people actually being proud of their own achievements, we are definitely a society of shrugging off what we accomplish, especially the small things.

Published my book.
Admitted to myself (and my work) that I was really struggling with my MH. Not an immediate fix but now they know I don't have to pretend I am totally fine when I'm not. It helps.

Started driving again after 15 years being scared of driving. My OH has just had major surgery and won't be able to drive for weeks do I knew I had to bite the bullet and get behind the wheel again for both our sakes, especially as the hospital was over an hour's drive from where we live. So I took some refresher lessons, felt the fear and did it anyway.

It was a great feeling driving her home after the surgery, feeling confident and relaxed!

Adopted my two beautiful children.

Moved countries.

Concluded my breastfeeding journey. 16 months, feeling proud.

Lost a whopping 60lbs and started to take more care of myself. A bit has crept back on but it's a much easy fix than it was.

Got back behind the wheel. I've had crippling driving anxiety and depositing passing my test five year ago I've barely driven but I've just dealt with the last day before Christmas school run traffic (def need a drink after that).