22

This is quite a spontaneous post, didn't plan to do this but decided i thought it might be quite a nice idea to tell you somethings i have learnt so far, in my 22 years of life so far.

Its the very last evening i'm going to be 22, its my birthday tomorrow!

I've really enjoyed being 22 & love how TS 22 song applies to me haha.

I'll give you a run down of the year i was 22! :)

It started off with me being radio active.

Yep, i had taken a radio active tablet to kill of my over active cells in my thyroid, which meant i had to be alone for 2 weeks. Well, i could be around people but had to stay a few metres away, so that was interesting, but i got to spend my birthday on my blow up bed watching Netflix & youtube yay.

I got a new iphone. A space grey 6plus thanks to my brother in law & to this day absolutely love it.
5,457 photos & videos currently in my camera roll, oops.

I got a new job merchandising, it went well, i quit in the august for a few reasons but all in all was something different & got to see & merchandise loads of different makeup, so my makeup collection expanded thats for sure, but not my bank account hmmmm. 

We visited dorset for the first time in the March where we visited some of our friends & we had such an amazing time, which is why we have visited them since then & they  have quickly gone from friends to family :) <3

While we were in dorset for the first time, me & Richard my husband shared our first anniversary together, it was so lovely sharing it with the friends who wasn't at our wedding, so it was almost like an extended part of the wedding day, spending it with them <3 Also our little furry kitten daughter turned one, of course i brought her treats & snuggles hehe.

Both myself & my best friends Leanne & Megan had a few nights out including a glamping trip, got tipsy (understatement) but 9pm, in bed at 10pm, hungover until the following week lol. We had such a lovely time together. We shared so many drinks out & get togethers where we would chat about anything & everything, just general girly times which i love! 

August was when me & my mom started Wednesdays looking after my little nephew. It has been so amazing to see him grow & learn new things each week. We look forward to each and every Wednesday as he brings us so much laughter & joy & we love him so so much. We have spent so many times having little adventures with him. The past few wednesdays has sort of been chilling at home with the weather being cold & drizzly but we do venture to the local shops to take advantage of the pushchair to pick up some milk hehe. But past weeks we've gone shopping & we go and have a meal or a coffee & cake, go and see family, go the park & many of other fun days out which we are so excited to start back up when it gets abut warmer, the farm is on the list which will be so much fun for something to do in spring & Yep, i'm a AUNNNNTIE EM << Dorothy gale voice required.

One of my favourite memories of the summer was having my niece over when me had my nephew one of the Wednesdays. It was SO hot & we sat outside with a jam doughnut & a cuppa probably how wether appropriate & we had some paints & paper to draw while sitting on a blanket with grass sticking through. My little nephew was sitting on my moms lap splashing in a bowl of water with his toys & it was so much fun & loved every second of it.  

I became more fearless of animals. Insects more really, you give me a spider in the room, a little heart flutter may occur but i'll remain cool with it. i'm really protective over them too. 

In no way shape or form, If an ansimal is in my area with not be harmed lol.

I will try my absolute hardest to get them to safety. A fly in the room, i hang out by the window to get it out, a snail in dangerous area on the pavement, i shall move it.

I became so much more comfortable with animals & i'm so happy. Roll on helping my mom in the garden this summer!

I have spent many times with my other family, my in laws.

I couldn't have wish, imagined, hoped for a better family that i have gained by marrying my soulmate. They welcomed me with opened arms & i am so thankful. This afternoon we had a Sunday roast at my mother & father in laws chatting about holidays & knitting. 

My mom  & me watched the bake off & didn't miss an episode. We love the Great British Bake Off & each week we  would gather some treats & a cup of tea with out pjs & sit and watch it. Also we gathered a love for snap chat. Maaaaaany a times we would waste away the day on snap chat in absolute STITCHES of laughter. We are often in tears most nights at our funny snaps. I don't think she'd appreciate me putting some of our 'best but worst' ones on here but i'll share a few ;)

I got a new job being a barista at Costa. Then quit after 2 shifts. I enjoyed the learning before hand... getting the job, like the interview stages but once i was in there, my OCD was just tooooooo much. The worst it has been for a LONG time. 

Which then leads on to the next for months where my OCD just compleeeetely spun out of control, October/November time it really took its tole on me & still sort of is. 

I am receiving medication now, which is helping SO MUCH! In my current job, its ridiculous how much it has changed me, the tablets are helping me out so much. But before them, i was going through a really bad time. In the evening i would be a in a trance, cry until i slept & was so low.

I was in a very dark place. Thats when i went to the doctors where a lovely doctor help me & offered me the medication. 

During the dark times with my ocd, i came out of it realising i don't know much about myself.

Hardly anything to be honest, which really made me excited to start a fresh with myself, which is all going to start tomorrow, at 23 ahhhh.

Which leads nicely onto decluttering. I have gotten rid of, gave away, recycled so much of my stuff & i couldn't be happier. I had so much stuff that my mind & life was so cluttered. I have been sorting & decluttering my life for a few months before, but towards the end of the years i was getting to the nitty gritty stuff. I couldn't recommend having a good old sort out of your belongings, its gave me a completely new outlook let alone a cleaner bedroom!

We had the festive season, which was spent with the family, both my in laws & my own side.

Each boxing day my eldest brother & his family come over & along with my other brother & his family, my nan comes round & we had such a fun day playing games & chatting, lots of food.

This year we playing the cotton ball challenge which was HILARIOUS!!

New years eve, we spent around at my 2nd eldest brother & his families house, which is only about 10 mins away from me, so perfect to have a tipple & hop in a taxi. 

2 of my sisters in laws family was there, as well as food, music, tv & games.

& THEEEE most gorgeous rabbit. He is so unbelievably friendly, just like a puppy who wants cuddles all the time, he's so cute!

My cat & i discovered her favourite new game, usually the end of a toy stick, squishing it between the sofa for her to chase. We have also discovered a little game recently, where i get her a treat, we run straight into the hall where i chuck one up the stairs, she runs into my room, jumps on the bed & waits for another, every day we do this & its our little mommy & daughter time which i love & cherish. 

My best friend leanne asked me to go to america with her & her mom to stay with her sister. 

Ermmmmmmm, HELL YES.

Its all booked & i'm going to america OMG.

I started to pay off Very. lol.

My spending habits being 22, was erm... questionable to say the least.

But these past few months, i haven't been spending a lot & really learnt the importance of saving & not buying things i don't really need, esp on catalogue sites. 

Me and Richard went to London. Richard had been for work & a little in the past but for me it was the first time & we absolutely loved it.

Richard had never seen the sight seeing sights, so it was lovely to share them together.

We also viewed a few flats for the first time, which was so exciting & really started to get us both excited for out future. 

I have cared so much less of what people think of me & myself.

I have always not been overly bothered with what people think of me, but while be 22, i've discovered SO WHAT. If people think i'm weird doing something with my OCD so what! If i myself think i'm overweight, either do something about it or so what. If my hairs not straighten because i cant be bothered so what! Life is so much more than what people think of you. What silly thoughts about yourself go around your head. I've realised that i myself, is unique. I was born with the face i have & don't always need makeup if i don't want it on to make me feel beautiful.

I've really properly started my blog & oh my goodness i love it.

I couldn't be happier with how it is going & so excited to see where my little online garden goes when i'm 23! :)

The most amazing, magical thing that happened to me when i was 22, was that i have gained a lifestyle of positivity. 

Going through some difficult times being 22 with my OCD i have really tried to see the positive in every singe thing that happens. It has completely changed me as a person & i couldn't be more proud of myself. I'm more calm & realistic in life now & have gained so much more of a life now, just having a little positivity.

So its currently 22:23, i have an empty cup, an achey shoulder, a cute little cat snuggled up in her bed, a husband chatting away to his playstation buddies, a mom whose farewelled me a good night who will no doubt make me the best cup of tea in the morning & myself who will only be 22 for less than an hour & half. 22 i have loved every minute of you. Although yes, times have been a struggle but i wouldn't have gained the experience & positivity out of them.

22 you have given me so many memories that i'll cherish forever & have spurred me on to make 23 the best year of my life yet. 

22 Emilie, i love you & thank you so much for what you have given me.

i am so excited for 23 Emilie & what she has to offer <3

Right! Now i'm going to go and make a cup of tea, grab a biscuit & enjoy the last hour & 5 mins being 22! <3 (+ a few hours until my actual birth time hehe)