New Year Reflection | The 2019 Edition

This time last year, I wrote a post entitled New Year Reflection. I took the opportunity to look back on 2018 with a smile as I praised myself for my successes and experiences from the year. As I sat reading through the blog post this morning, I felt pleased that I had recorded my thoughts and views at the time. In the post, I asked you, my readers, some reflective questions that you could try out at home to reflect on your own year. As 2019 is now coming to an end with the new year beginning in just a few days, I thought I'd reflect again and ask myself those same questions that I had asked you.

One obvious lifestyle change comes to mind here as I changed jobs back in April. Unfortunately, the job I was in at the time was no longer suiting my needs. It took great strength to walk away from, and at the time it was a situation that caused me great stress. Rather than looking back upon the negatives that I associate with the reasons for the job change, I'm so proud for standing up for myself and doing what I knew I had to. All my life, I have been terrible at putting myself first. I finally learned that the person who will have your back most should always be you. I kept a similar role as a Digital Marketing Executive, but I now work for a bigger company with a bigger team around me.

"I finally learned that the person

 who will have your back most 

should always be you."

In my private life, I have been a supportive girlfriend this year to my partner of three and a half years, Ben. Ben decided at the start of the year to begin bodybuilding competition prep after years of weight training and working as a personal trainer. I've not known dedication like I have witnessed from Ben this year, and his hard work paid off for him. Living together, our meals were all completely separate, with him prepping about six meals a day. Eating treats in front of him was truly quite awful! It's difficult to understand unless you're in the fitness industry, but I am glad that I had the understanding to support him through his journey. It was tough, but we did it, and now we enjoy our meals out and cinema snacks even more than ever.

Our summer holiday to Cape Verde, just before my 23rd birthday, was one of the most enjoyable experiences for us this year. Ben and I had a wonderful time, sipping Pina Coladas on the hotel beach and soaking up the sunshine. The trip struck a chord with me, mostly for the island's "no stress" motto. The people seemed so carefree and friendly, with "no stress" written everywhere you looked. I recall it being the most calm that I had felt in months, apart from the aeroplane taking off and landing! The excursions that we went on included paddling with lemon sharks (that was an experience that I will never forget), and a day trip around the island where we tried their traditional honey rum, saw what the island had to offer and learned about its history. Every time I now hear Bob Marley songs, I can feel myself bobbing about in the back of the mini van singing along as we toured the island with our guide.

 "I recall it being the most calm 

that I had felt in months..."

Fitness has still been a massive part of my weekly routine and I feel proud to have made progress this year, keeping my training consistent despite working full time and working on my own projects in my spare time. I made it a self led mission to strengthen and tone up my quads, calves and hamstrings this year. I can now hit higher weights at high volume, which once seemed impossible.

On the blog front, 2019 brought some wonderful opportunities for me. I have collaborated with many fantastic brands this year on EVIE ROSE LANE, but working with Dior was a collaboration that I will never forget. Everyone has one brand that they dream of working with, so when I got the email about their makeup campaign, it was a real pinch me moment. I tried to capture the luxurious sophistication of the designer within my content, the same sophistication that I had seen a few months prior in the Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition at the V&A. Taking my time with the photography, styling each beauty flatlay delicately and creatively, I was really proud of the work that I had created.

Generally speaking, I've invested time and attention into improving my photography and highlighting sophistication within the style of my content. I want to capture the beauty of the everyday, whether that be your morning skincare cleanser or a new jewellery piece that you want to show off. Looking forward, I'm hoping to include more fashion within my content, but not fast fashion. I'm keen to show experimentation with timeless items that are made to be worn time and time again, not once for a one off.

"Everyone has one brand that they dream 

of working with, so when I got the email 

about their makeup campaign, 

it was a real pinch me moment!"

Christmas this year was the epitome of warmth and festive joy. From Christmas festivities in the office, to playing Christmas games with family, and organising fantastic Christmas giveaways that you could enter to win. It's been truly lovely. I can't wait to do it all over again next year! One last thing to mention are my wishes for you - wishing you a Happy New Year and a fabulous 2020.

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