What 2017 Taught Me

Happy 2018, everyone! After a mid-year resolution in 2017 to dedicate more time to my blog, I seem to have failed miserably at it. I think it's safe to say that this year is going to be all about time management and managing my expectations of myself. I always have the best intentions, but in reality forget that I can't commit to the 101 commitments I give myself! 

However, I didn't fail with all my goals in 2017. Last year saw a lot of change in my life and the beginning of a new chapter for me. I'm officially a working girl now! I graduated from my university degree with a 1st and started a new job. I joined a running club and went from barely being able to run a 1/2 mile to completing a 10k race. (I'm as shocked as you are, believe me.) 

Last year I learnt lots, mostly about myself (that sounds even cheesier than it did in my head...). In the famous words of Kylie Jenner, it was a year about realising things. The main thing I learned that was that a bit of hard work goes a long way and it's always worth it. I've proven to myself that I can achieve something if I really put my mind to it. I never went to university expecting to get a 1st, but going into my final year something in me clicked. I wanted to get a 1st, even though I didn't really think I could get one. A small part of myself clung onto the idea though, and with a lot of perseverance, I achieved it. 

It was exactly the same with my decision to start running. I was never remotely interested in taking it up, until one day I stumbled across a YouTube channel by a lady called Adrienne Ldn, and her video about running the London marathon. I thought that her achievement was so bloody cool, and at the end of the video I remember thinking wow, I wish I could do something like that. Then I got sucked into a spiral of watching marathon training videos on YouTube, and a few days later I decided that I wanted to try running, and maybe one day run a half marathon. That plan is still in the pipeline - it's a goal I've got for the next year or so! 

I think as well as self-belief (whether that's genuine belief, or a fake-it-until-you-make-it kind of belief), another common factor in my year has been a support network. For me, everything I did last year was undoubtedly a little easier to do because of the people around me. It's taught me that who you surround yourself really does matter. My friends and family spurred me on during revision, and the friends I've made at my running club have given me the motivation to keep on going that little bit longer. It's also made me realise that I need to make sure that I give that support back whenever I can. I think in the past it's something that I've done subconsciously - because it's just what you do for your friends - but this year I do want to make sure I more consciously support those around me. 

I haven't formally thought of any resolutions for this new year. I've never been one to come up with a list at the beginning of the year- my goals tend to come about quite randomly as I go along. I guess all the usual apply though - I want to be a bit more efficient with my time and focus on the important things rather than small, unimportant admin and boring things, keep improving my fitness, save a bit more money and have fun. Oh - and be better at keeping my room tidy! 

As always, I'll update my blog when I can and fill you in on what I'm doing and of course, what I'm wearing. I hope your first week of 2018 has had a good start! Speak soon x

What I'm wearing:

2015 in Outfits

Thanks for another cool year, guys!

2014 in Oufits

2014 has seen more outfits than ever before and has easily been my favourite year of blogging. (All down to the help of a tripod and self timer) I'm seriously struggling to pick a favourite outfit though- do you have one? 

The past few days I've been in complete denial that soon it will no longer be 2014. I've spent since Christmas day trying to distract myself with movies, tv and copious amounts of chocolate. This year has seen a lot of change for me but this little corner of the internet has been following me along. Here are some of last year's best outfits, if you want to see what's changed over the past year. (My hair has been shorter, for starters) 

It's time to wrap it up until 2015- I'm off to think about all the resolutions I'll try now to break next year. Happy New Year! 

Leave a comment telling me what you want to see on TM next year x

1) From The Depths   2) Take III   3) Twirly Swirly   4)  Distressed Up  

1) Celfie Time   2) Summertime Sadness   3) Rock Your Body   4) Cut It Out 

1) Stolen Dance   2) 18 (!)   3) Day One   4) Grey Area 

Oh Deer...

Oh dear, the holiday break is coming to an end. *Curls up in a corner and pushes homework away* I wish I could do this, but I do have some work which probably needs doing. I hope you've all recovered from the shock of a new year, though! 

I haven't even begun to think about resolutions, I guess I should drink more water, so let's put that on the list. Other than that, probably just the usual, give more compliments to people, and lose a few pounds. Nothing imaginative! 

What about you? Any resolutions this year? 

Goodbye 2013... You've Been Fab

L-R

Colour Co-Ordination; Take Me to Paris; 17; Blue x 2; White Stripes; 

It Started With a Whisper; Ditsy Florals; Living For The Weekend; Collar + Sweater; Lately;    

2014 is very fast approaching! Here's a little review of what I've been wearing throughout the year. 

I've had so many amazing experiences throughout this year with family and friends- and I've had a few amazing opportunities too. Working with Mulberry for two weeks has to be one, as well as meeting Anna, Lily and Amelia Liana. September saw a trip to London Fashion Week, which I'm still pinching myself about. 

I can't wait to see what next year brings so be sure to stick around- I'm sure I'll be documenting it all on here. 2013, you have been a beautiful year and I'll miss you. Hello 2014, you're looking awfully exciting.

A Look Back at 2012, Resolutions and a Thank You!

So this post is going to contain quite a lot, I think. First, let's look at 2012!

There is no doubt that 2012 has been the most memorable year of my life. So much happened! We had the Jubilee, the London Olympics and I spent July in Nicaragua. I never really told you about that, so here's what I did...

I, along with 17 other people from my school, went on a World Challenge trip and spent a month backpacking in Nicaragua, doing a mixture of trekking and volunteering at a school, where we taught English.
In our first week we stayed in Granada, and spent a few days on the gorgeous island of Ometepe, where we did some day treks, went kayaking and visited a waterfall.

Then, we went back to Granada to both paint classrooms and teach for a week. This has to be one of the most rewarding parts to the trip. Even though it was the kids' school break, they came to school to learn English! We also got to spend time getting to know them, and learnt some Spanish ourselves. We camped on a classroom floor and the student's parents cooked meals for us. It was a totally humbling experience: the school buildings, of which there are 8, where made from corrugated steel, and there were over 500 students in the school. 500 students with only 8 classrooms. To add to this, there were only 10 toilets, and the town we stayed in experiences regular 'water cuts', so the children were never guaranteed a drink. You don't realise how scary this can be until it happens- to go to a tap and for nothing to come out is quite surprising to sat the least! When you remember that the weather is a constant 40 degrees C, you realise how dangerous a lack of an essential resource like water is.
Another thing that stuck out to me that week was seeing children wearing TOMS. If you're not familiar with TOMS, it is a charitable shoe brand that, every time a pair is bought, gives another pair to a child in a 3rd world country. When you buy a pair of these shoes you know you're helping someone, but it always seems weird when you meet someone 1st hand that has benefited from this.

Nicaragua is on the San Andreas Fault, and consequently has a chain of both active and dormant volcanoes. This is where we spent our 3rd week, climbing 5 active volcanoes in 5 days! I certainly found this a challenge, but it was definitely my favourite part of the trip, because I have never challenged myself that much before.

And finally, we spent the last few days of our trip on the Pacific coast, at the beautiful town of Las Penitas. Nicaragua is an amazing country, and I seriously recommend it to you all! If you ever go travelling, please consider Nicaragua.

Looking to the past is important, but we also need to look to the future! This means resolutions! I have to admit, I've been relatively unimaginative this year and gone for the 'get healthy' resolution, but I honestly feel like I need to do this, especially after Christmas! I never go crazy with resolutions (partly because I don't have the will power!) so you'll never find me on the 'baby food diet' or an equivalent. In my opinion, it's more important to be confident, healthy and happy. After all, diets aren't really that fun, are they? What are your resolutions this year, or have you decided not to make one? Comment below!

Last, but not least... Total Modisch is close to 1000 views, so thank you to everyone for visiting! I hope what I write is interesting, don't forget that comments are always welcome.

Happy New Year to you all!