Thursday 29 December 2011

What I've learnt in 2011

As for you, my galvanised friend, you want a heart. You don't know how lucky you are not to have one. Hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable. 
– The Wizard of Oz

If there's one thing I've learnt this year, it's that everyone is responsible for their own happiness.

It's easy to stay with what you know, whether it's a relationship that's bad for you or a job you don't enjoy. It's easy to compare yourself to prettier, more confident friends and wallow in self pity that you're not more like them. It's easy to stay put and complain, instead of getting up and changing the thing you're unhappy about.

It's also the easiest thing in the world to blame every low point, down-day or tear that comes to your eye throughout the course of a year on the breakdown of a relationship; or the silly boy who wanted someone else over you.

And I think that, conversely, is why this year has been so hard.

2011 wasn't hard because someone treated me badly back in January. It was hard because I chose to leave him, cut all ties, go home, recoup, get my social life back on track, and give my heart a little rest. I said no to dates with boys, yes to drinks with new friends and made - without a doubt - some of the best mates I've ever had as a result. I saved up, took a leap, left home - again - and moved in with new housemates.

Job hunting was hard, too - but my old, unpredictable contract job finishes today and my new, permanent job starts next week. New Years Eve has, for the first year since records (or blogs) began, been planned without dispute, stress or worry.

There's a lot to celebrate, and 2011 has been a good year. I am happy with the way things turned out.

And no one's responsible for that except me.


Happy New Year x

3 comments:

modelofamodernmajorgeneral said...

Happy new year lass x

Ellie said...

Like the attitude. Have fun tonight and best in 2012.

treacle said...

Happy New Year Jo xx

PS. I like the new header and tag line :)

 

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