To ask what the best thing is that's happened to you this year

[PennyPearl]

I can't sleep and thought we'd get some cheer from this thread as it's been an absolutely horrendous year for many so wanted to know the good things that's happened to you this year, it can be more than one:-

After a difficult unstable pregnancy, my beautiful daughter was born at 36+4 days and was absolutely healthy with nothing wrong with her and we got to leave the next day.

I reconnected with an old friend in January after a minor fall out and we've actually become best of friends.

My mum has been diagnosed with autism which doesn't sound good but actually it makes so much more sense now and she has access to the support she needs.

My DH has been accepted onto a university course he's been wanting to do to kick start a new career.

So please feel free to share yours, feel like we could do with a positive uplifting thread

My son has finally gone back to school this year after just over a year off with anxiety following the lockdowns. He is enjoying it and every day I drop him off at school I feel blessed!

After 10 years of being stuck in a job I hated and experiencing lots of stress and anxiety regarding it, I finally found one that I like! It feels like I am actually making a positive difference too.

We paid our mortgage off 9 years early so we can now retire at 50

Some lovely things on here! Mine is more of a gradual "thing". After 2020 I had lost the habit of socialising and felt very boring and bored. This year I forced myself to be more sociable and have made some great new friends and reconnected with old ones too.

We got a new red, miniature poodle puppy, and she’s completely adorable.

It was a really difficult year for me health wise, but I'm hopeful that my meds are sorted and I can have a less stressful 2023.

I went on a last minute cruise (first time ever) and I'm now addicted!! Booked two more for 2023 - also planning to go back to California in March - last time I was there was beginning of March 2020.......

Also went to some amazing gigs - next year will be a year of travel and music, and hopefully my last year in full time employment as I'd like to pay off my mortgage and retire before my 58th birthday next December 🤞🏻

A new friend who had been the next thing in many years

Been a very difficult few years and there's still a lot of uncertainty in a lot of areas of my life, but this year's best thing is that I confessed my feelings and got together with my long time best friend. We're both just ridiculously happy together and it feels absolutely right!

I went self employed. Never been happier. I feel so much lighter not being tied to a contract and it's given me a renewed sense of optimism that the menopause robbed me of for a while.

Work really

For 2 years some of our departments have been under threat of redundancy due to office move and rejig, my redundancy was supposed to be March 2021 but that came and went

I was needed to train new team members and was not given another date to leave until May 2022, I accepted this and was planning to take some time off, however 1 of the new team members left, I was asked if I could stay on as a temp (redundancy had been put thru and couldn't be reversed)

I said yes so temped from beginning of June and the last week of July I was offered full time employment with the company again which I accepted

In my own personal life, just having a happy stable relationship and celebrating 5 years of marriage

This is brilliant. Well done, everyone!

Managed to avoid both hypothermia and hospitals all year after a horrendous year in 2021, where my body was at 34.4° most of the year. Was admitted to hospital due to concerns for my health and discharged myself 4 days later with shingles.

It's so lovely to read all the heartwarming stories.
It's nice to have little glimmers of hope amongst all the doom and gloom. I've had a miserable time health wise the past year, I'm still on crutches 18 mths after a back injury and also had two hospital stays with a gallbladder infection and sepsis. BUT....on the upside it finally kicked my ass into gear and I've overhauled my lifestyle . I've lost 4 stone since April and feel so much better. The best thing this year though is finding out that I'm going to be a granny....my son and his partner are having a little boy early next year. I'm so happy for them and can't wait to meet the little chap.

Our baby boy! Arriving easily after the sheer hell and trauma when daughter arrived a few years earlier. I absolutely love babies once they hit about 6 months and are suddenly so happy, curious and sweet, so I'm soaking in his big smiles for mama (while trying to navigate big sister being a total threenager). It's been one of the hardest years we've ever had, but having my children in my arms in those peaceful cuddly moments makes it more than worth it.
And looking forward to 2023 when he starts to walk and talk, and we can more easily do more things as a family

I lost 100lbs and my life is so much better now! I lost just over a stone last year so it wasn't all this year, but I'm counting it because the vast majority was. I can't wait to lose more next year.

Such a lovely thread idea. I think mine is making two new friends through work. At the start of the year, I was feeling quite lonely, stuck and bored. Two long term friendships had ended in the past few years and I was feeling ready to start some new friendships. So I did 😊 they're both lovely and I'm grateful for them

The best thing in my life is my DP, but he's been around for 17 years so he's not new 😊

Here for the picture please.....

Being in Turin for Eurovision. A bright highlight in a rather meh year.

Merry Christmas everyone ❤

Went on a long weekend break to Tallinn with my mum, having not holidayed with my mum since I was a teen.

Ds1 went to Uni. I feel I've achieved my goal of getting him to this point in life. Satisfied with my parenting after struggling with him and finding him difficult for most of it! I enjoyed going to open days with him, testing him as part of his final days revision, and that dropping him in his halls of residence made me very satisfied.

I got a promotion to a job where I have autonomy and can use my brain. I had the interview not long after the sudden death of a close friend and having to have my lovely cat PTS so I am extra proud of myself.

After a tough few years with lots going on, I got engaged to the love of my life this year 💛

Changed job, much happier.
No longer have to deal with passive aggressive behaviour.

I started the year very mentally poorly, being treated badly at work. I got it sorted via grievance, changed to a different manager and I'm now better than I've ever been. Got an adhd diagnosis and medication which has transformed my life and completely killed my life long anxiety, in turn my ibs has now gone.

I completed a course with a distinction, and I've a shiny new promotion for the new year. Wages have been reviewed a couple of times during the year, and for the first time in a long time, I've been able to afford Christmas. Currently with my kids at theirs for Christmas, and being waited on hand and foot.

I'm happy 😊

@Domino20 gorgeous dog ❤️

@Newmumtobetwentytwentytwo congratulations, beautiful little bundle of joy ❤️