"So this is the new year...

...and I don't feel any different." - Death Cab for Cutie

As far as years go living with an illness, 2013 was actually a good year for me. I started going to art classes in April, where I've met some lovely people and learnt many techniques. It's been great for me having somewhere I've got to be once a week where I can lose myself in a painting for a few hours. I signed up to a photography course too in autumn and although I've stuggled to manage both classes at times and have missed some due to being too ill - I'm still so pleased I joined. I might have got an A in a level photography but I was clueless on how to use my camera on manual. Now I have more of an idea and will be learning more when I go back in January. Four hours study a week might seem very little but for me it's a massive step in the right direction. Theres no way I would have been well enough to manage it before now.

I've had three lovely holidays, two in Cornwall with my mum and one in Bognor with my closest friends. Never underestimate the power of friendship, especially when it causes tears from laughing.

My brother took me to see my favourite folk singer, Mike Rosenburg aka Passenger - twice. I suppose it's safe to say the sound track to my year has been provided by Passenger. I've been listening to him for a year and a half now and I still can't get enough of his amazing music.

I started blogging again in May and since then I've felt happier within myself. I've loved planning and sharing outfits, working with a designer to produce photos for her website, meeting bloggers from the south of England, reading loads of blogs and most of all the friendliness of you all. Every lovely comment has made my day. All of this has helped me regain confidence that ME has taken away. This last year I've felt more like myself again. A gift you've all contributed to. Blogging has become one of the most positive things in my life and I'm so greatful for it.

I won a cake decorating competition with Waitrose in September. Something I'm very proud of and still need to blog about my prize!

My hopes for this year are the same as those for the last year and the three years that came before. I want this year to be the year that I fully recover from ME. Because of this hope, I find the end of years very difficult. Its time to say goodbye to yet another year living a life tainted by chronic illness and to start a new with it. I've learnt a lot since being ill, I'm now a lot wiser, I have my priorities in the right order and I've found peace through meditation. In 2014 I will continue to put my health  and happiness first. I know now that looking after myself is the most important thing. I don't know what will come this year, I'm going to try my best to avoid stress, to stay happy and to get healthy. They're the most important things I could hope for. However, I do have a few New Years resolutions:

  I want to continue blogging, hopefully more oftern.

 I want to visit more art and fashion exhibitions.

I want to eat healthier by cutting out some more sugar. ( already failing on this one - ive been stuffing myself with left over Christmas Chocolate!)

I would like to attempt (if the brain fog lets me) to resume learning Italian.

I am looking forward to all the good things 2014 has to offer. I have my fingers crossed that this year will be my year.  I also hope it will be a great year for you all.

 

Emma Xx

All photos in this post were taken in 2013 and are from my personal Instagram page.