It is that time of the year again when year-end reviews and blog posts are created. In my first year of blogging, I did the same but an incident happened on my blog that everything was swept out. Sad, I know, but hey I moved and everything happens for a reason! So, here is a year-end post where I will reminisce the good (and bad!) things that happened in 2017! Ready?
First off, I am naturally a non-sentimental individual. I do things but never get emotionally attached to them. That was until someone reminded that it is okay to have emotions. Before we start crying in groups here, I would say that personal growth is the best thing that happened to me this year.
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Grow in my career
At the start of this year, I was still hesitant about everything- my career, my identity, and who I want to be. Interestingly, I did a bold move in January by leaving my job in an Australian media company to pursue the one where my heart is- advertising. The constant flow of creativity in this field is the force that pulled me in. I knew that 2017 is off to a great start when I got hired as a copywriter in my current company. The transition was not easy- the hardest of which is finding confidence in my ideas.
It was not long before I was given an account to handle- a big one, take note! The pressure settled in on me but then I adapted with the help of my colleagues. That’s when I started realizing that I might actually have what it takes to make it here in this industry. And then the big switch happened! Just when I was starting to get comfortable with my account, my team and I were then given the challenging one. For this one, we had to be hands-on with the food styling and photo shoots. The work is no longer confined at the four corners of the office. Good thing for me, I am always up for a challenge!
Grow as a blogger
I started taking blogging seriously this year, as well! When I started, it was just a hobby but then I realized that there is more to it. In 2017, I saw the need for creating and maintaining connections. It’s not just for connections with PR agencies who will invite you to events and give you perks but also keeping a good relationship with your fellow bloggers. You see, blogging in the country is a tight circle. Word goes around so easily that there is little to no place for awful attitude. Besides, it’s not just bloggers who need to keep a good attitude, everybody does, right?
The real question is, how can a blogger say that he grew as a blogger? Tough one. But after asking myself this a couple of times, I finally found the answer to it and that is being authentic. Right, I always get invited to movie screenings but sometimes there are movies so bad that I force myself to see the beauty in it just not to disappoint the studio and the PR agency that invited me. Apparently, that is not the ideal case. They know it themselves and they are doing these screenings for the real and genuine reaction of people who know their thing. That’s us, bloggers. That’s the best learning that I got this year as a blogger: be authentic. Be you! Show your quirks and stand out among the rest!
Grow as a person
I can’t believe I’m getting personal here but yes, let’s do this for authenticity’s sake!
Confident, adventurous, and curious, are the words that I would equate myself with. Brave, kind of. But real is not one of them. There was always this shroud that I would hide myself into whenever I am out in the public- like a mask. Maybe part of it comes from my childhood as a teased fat kid. That struck me personally and somehow sparked my body insecurities. With that said, I started loving myself more by getting into fitness. I hit the gym more than thrice a week and became cautious of what I eat.
Aside from loving myself physically, I also started loving myself for who I am. Vague? Not exactly. It was 2017, people! People no longer has to be boxed within the black and white of sexuality. Yes, I became more open with who I am! I still don’t know where to place myself but I will happily find my way in the spectrum. Get it?
There you have it! These are the great things that happened to me in 2017! What are yours? Share them in the comments below! Here’s to hoping that we may all have an awesome 2018 and binge on great experiences!
