It’s hard to sum up 2012 to be honest, what can you say about a year that has been both the best year of your life but also the worst?
In one year so much has changed for better and for worse but I think, looking back, I have come out of it a better person.
It started well, with promise. By March/April it was clear that it wasn’t going to stay that way when my Nan became ill and passed away,
that loss, it’s still crushing, she was the most amazing woman and is missed by many. I/we try not to dwell too much on the negative though, remembering instead all the positives she bought to us and how as a family we have grown closer together.
On a personal note, her passing gave me the kick up the arse needed to get myself sorted out, to commit for a final time to recovery and to get myself to the happy and healthy point that she always wanted to see me at. The passing of a friend, Lisa, in August cemented this…life IS too short and too precious to waste and it’s from this great sense of loss I emerge stronger.
On a happier note, great things have happened. There was the wedding of my dear friends Louise and James in May, the welcoming of Mae in to our family to heal the gap that Flash left. My holiday to Spain that opened up so many windows of opportunity and bought Ellie and I even closer as friends and probably more famously, the holiday to Holland with best.friend. that left me on crutches (I promise not to hold it against you Trudi!)
2012 was a great year for blogging, I have met so many wonderful girls and made new friends. The year has also shown just how great the power of internet friendship is and I probably wouldn’t have got even half as far as I have now if it wasn’t for the people who took the time to read, tweet, send love/cards/support…if you are reading this post now then this includes you and I’d like to thank you, all.
It would be too easy to write 2012 off as the worst year ever, to dwell on the negatives and dread the next 12 months. Perhaps in the past that is exactly what I would have done but now, as we are about to start 2013 I can’t help but feel excited and hopeful for the adventures that lie ahead…work (to who I owe so much), friends, holidays, health, happiness…I look forward to finally accepting myself for who I am and not a number on the scale, to accept and enjoy a healthier, curvier body and realise it doesn’t change who I am inside. To spend more time with the people who matter to me most and spend less time dwelling on those who don’t. I can’t wait to meet my cousin’s baby who is due on my Birthday, to welcome in new life. To have adventures that are both planned and unplanned and live for the moment rather than routine.
Most of all though, I hope that you…all of you reading this have a good year too. Whatever 2012 gave to you, I hope 2013 goes one better.
Live, love and enjoy, you are worth it.
 |
| It will be OUR year. xxx |
I’m a bit teary reading this Laura! I want to say something along the lines of “It’s not what life throws at you, but how you deal with it that counts”, but it just sounds a bit cheesy!
Wishing you and your family all the very best for 2013 xx
Thank you for sharing. 2012 has been both terrible and wonderful for me: the end of a 7 year relationship, a great new job, selling the family home and the future I thought I’d have there, moving back into my flat with my cat, my dad’s dementia getting worse, becoming closer to my friends…
It seems like the past 12 months have been jam packed with stuff that takes so much energy to manage for both of us. Lets hope 2013 is a bit calmer, easier and has many joyful things in it 🙂
Happy new year lovely! X
Oh missus, reading this made me just want to give you a great big hug. You’ve dealt with this year wonderfully!
To 2013! x
There are always ups and downs every year but it’s great to see how blogging has been a big positive for you!
And… I’m crying into my cereal. You’re an inspiration 🙂
Bring on 2013! xx
Awwww beautiful words missus!!! i feel all optimistic and full of renewed faith in t’internet and friendship and life and yeah… all of that gushy stuff!!!
HAPPY NEW YEARS chick! youre right, 2012 is OUR year, we will enjoy what is rightfully ours. Life IS precious and it will always be what we make of it…
xx
Oh Laura I want to give you a massive hug! I too lost my nan this year 🙁
I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed that 2013 will bring you the happiness you deserve!
Sophie
x
A really inspiring post. I am so pleased to hear you taking the positive out of this year! Hope 2013 is an amazing year for you filled with lots more great moments xx
Life is nothing if not a rollercoaster (gosh, I sound a bit like Ronan Keating, don’t I!?) I’m sorry 2012 has been a difficult one but I’m also glad many positives have come out of it. Hop you have a great NYE and see you in 2013 : )
Happy New Year my gorgeous, gorgeous friend.
I hope that 2013 keeps going on the up for you, that you find diamonds & lots of fantastic unplanned sparkles along the way; trips, friends, coffee catch ups (?? cough cough cough, chronic hint!!).
So much love & have a wonderful night whatever you do or don’t do. xxx
I am so proud of you!
Onwards and Upwards we head into 2013.
Happy New Year!
Janine xx
BakeGlueandTrend
It was lovely to be able to meet you this year Laura 🙂
I love your idea of living for the moment rather than routine, I’m going to try and stick to that too 🙂
Happy New Year 🙂 emmerliejay x
Hell yeah girlie! I had a crap year too but I’m determined to use that negative energy to turn 2013 into the best year yet! I’ll drink to that 🙂 and no more bloody crutches! (for both of us!)
Elspeth xx
What a lovely post, Laura!
Happy New Year. Wishing you all that’s good in 2013! x
Such a heartwarming post – I am so glad I read this one tonight. I know 2013 is going to be a good year for us both. You have come so far in the past 12 months Laura. And I am so proud and forever inspired by you xxx
Good luck for 2013, Laura. Taking the positives from the year is the best way to look at things. x
Best wishes for 2013 Laura! You’ve had a tough year for sure but it’s easy to see you’ve come out stronger.
xo
i think you have a great attitude going into 2013.. that’s the way i’m looking at it to. it’s a new year with a fresh new start 🙂 Appreciating the good things in life is a great way to live life! keep in touch <3
Joyce @carouselstreet.com
Laura thank you for sharing this with us, and for sharing your life with us. I hope you have a WONDERFUL 2013.
Thanks for sharing this Laura. It’s the tough stuff that makes us who we are. You’re heading into 2013 a stronger more capable person, lets hope the year is a brilliant one!
Happy New Year x
2012 was very much the same for me; the best and the worst. happy new year. I know 2013 will be your year. you will achieve the happiness you deserve.
Lovely 2012 round up Laura, I love seeing your big honest posts about life this is a favourite 🙂
All the best for 2013, you deserve a wonderful year!
Amy x cocktailsinteacups.blogspot.co.uk
What a lovely positive post. I hope everything works out super well for you in 2013- Happy New Year! x
Yes! 2013 will be your year. Wishing you all happiness and brightness and light for 2013! xx
Lisa =( that poor girl.
Let’s hope for all happy news this year!
I love the green dress you are wearing in the wedding photo.
Hope you had fun last night!
Corinne x
http://www.skinnedcartree.com
2012 has been a really tough year here too, definitely my worst. But I agree the support of my blogging/internet friends has been so fantastic and has really helped.
I am sure that 2013 is going to be a really happy and fantastic year. Really looking forward to reading more of your blog! Happy New Year Laura.
Happy New Year! Thank you for sharing that, onwards and upwards!
I’m all teared up after reading this! I think you’re incredibly brave and honest. Am hoping 2013 will be a great year for you my lovely.
I also want to thank you for your continued support of my blog and your constant comments. I love reading them. Thank you. xxx
As inspiring and and as positive as ever Laura. Thank you for this post. xxx
all the best for 2013! Your cat is so gorgeous 🙂
Robyn Mayday
xx
Laura I found your blog through Natasha’s Treasure Trove and I must say I love it 🙂
HAPPY NEW YEAR 🙂
~Keith
Oh gosh Laura, 2012 has been full of ups and downs and I can’t only imagine how hard some of it was for you. It’s awful to lose a family member and also to lose a friend – this happened to me too a few years ago and sometimes I catch myself thinking about them – it’s tough but it reminds me how tough we are as humans too. I’m sure 2013 will hold many great things for you and I’m hoping it will be full of new beginnings too. It’s going to be a good year xx
Happy New Year darling! Here’s to an awesome 2013, it was lovely to meet you in 2012.
Tara
The Style Rawr!
xoxo
You are such an inspiration Laura! You’ve had a lot of shit to deal with this year but you dealt with it well which is so amazing. I really hope 2013 is excellent for you, you deserve to have a fantastic year xxxx
This was a beautiful post, it made me tear up a little reading it as a lot of what you said really hit home for me too. Sending hugs & I hope 2013 is a wonderful year for you, bringing lots of adventures, fun times & happiness! 🙂
Thank you for sharing so much of your life with us. You’re so real – best wishes to you and your family, naturally including Mae, for a very healthy and Happy New Year.
Your New Years Eve sounds great, wishing you a fabulous 2013 🙂
so sorry about your nan.
i wish you all the best for 2013 <3
make 2013 yours beauty. So lovely getting to meet and know you better-lets make 2013 the year we see more of each other!
XO Amie
http://www.creditcrunchchic.com
Happy Happy New Year Laura, I hope you’re super proud of everything achieved despite the lows experienced. Much love for 2013.