As the year draws to an inevitable end, it’s time to take a moment to reflect on 2013. Not the media-obsessed, news and entertainment public 2013, but my own personal one.

I like to think of myself as an eternal optimist and so, despite the obligatory bad parts, here is my year: the good bits.

2013 was the year I travelled

I went to Cambodia for three weeks in July, Italy for 2 weeks in August and I’ve just got back from a couple of days in Salzburg. Not too shabby at all.

2013 was the year I decided that I want to travel

My trip to Cambodia opened my eyes to travelling and has helped me make the decision to take a gap year after graduating next year. Basically ich habe Wanderlust and I can’t wait for the places which 2014 will hold.

2013 was the year I discovered who I am a little more

It sounds like a cliché but it’s really true. With all the excitement of meeting people and making new friends in the first year and a half of university, I feel as if I lost sight of who I am. It’s hard not to try and live up to expectations of what you should be doing at university, and what you should classify as ‘fun’. Fortunately I realised this year that there’s a lot more to life than what I thought I should be doing and I feel a lot happier now that I’ve comfortable in my own skin, doing what I’m doing. Sorry for the copious amounts of vagueness in that sentence.

2013 was the year that I wrote

A lot. And told people that I’m writing. And started to prepare myself for the influx of inevitable criticism. Hooray for writing!

2013 was the year I was happy

I feel as if at 21 years old I finally know what makes me happy and how to let myself be happy. The moments I were sad only helped to remind me how fortunate I really am. And that is really very fortunate.

On a side note, I’ve discovered an amazing app called Flipagram and have enjoyed myself immensely creating many a montage in the last day. I’ve put it into gif form below, but look to my Instagram for one with music. There’s nothing better than compiling all the best bits of your year into one place to some uplifting music to make yourself happy.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! May your 2014 be as rewarding, fortunate and happy as I know mine will be.