Goodbye 2016!

Wow, this year went by really fast and trust me I'm so glad that it did. Every year, I write something to remember the year by, you know when I'll look back at it, I'll remember what it meant for me and as I was reading this article on some website, I knew instantly that this is how I wanted to write this year off. A brilliant concept actually, a list of questions that sums up my 2016 pretty well. So, here goes nothing.

1. What made you feel the most alive this year?

Taking a trip with friends and really exploring the hell out of a place and myself. Experiencing life the way its meant to be lived, living the good life, the mediocre and the thug life.

2. How did you surprise yourself in 2016?

I FINALLY got a tattoo. I thought I never would have the courage to get it but I did and I’m glad I did it. 

3. What did you do this year that you regret?

Kissed a guy who I wasn't even that much into, wasn't that great a kiss either. Kept on taking shit for a very long time. Undermined my worth, took a chance again with a wrong person, wasted a lot of tears on someone who will never ever be sorry for his actions.

4. What made you cry the hardest this year?

     Truth.

5. Which friends have been there for you the most in 2016?

P & M

6. What are you most grateful for as this year draws to a close?

I finally learned the value of people who really love me, discovered myself, changed myself, opened myself to new experiences. I’ve grown this year, a lot, in all aspects of my life.

7. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?

Happier that I finally found some peace, sad because I listened to my heart and trusted the wrong person, again. So, basically pretty Switzerland as of now.

8. What did you do to take care of yourself this year?

P   Pampered myself like crazy, went after my goals, got help, started investing in myself more.

     9. Where was the best place you traveled to this year?

     Goa, without a doubt.

10. What did you do for the first time in 2016?

 I prioritized myself.

11. What did you do for the last time in 2016?

 Smoked, hopefully have quit it all together.

12. Which days from 2016 will you never forget?

 Months actually - September to November, truly changed me.

13. What did you accomplish this year that you’re proud of?

I’m almost done with my resolutions. I read a lot this year. I sorted a lot of things out (need a little more time). Picked up my old hobbies. Enrolled myself in a creative writing course. Completed my MBA. Did adventure sports. Explored a place by myself. Tried to right a wrong. Did charity. 

14. Who did you need to forgive this year?

 J & B

15. What were you most afraid of this year?

 Not being able to survive after having my heart shattered, again.

16. How did life surprise you this year?

I’ve had tremendous bad phases and I stood my ground, rose higher and faced the truth, head on. I didn’t think I would have the strength, but I did. My courage and strength surprised me.

17. How was this year better than 2015?

Got out of the clutches of a narcissist and finally did what I really wanted to do since a very long time. I was finally not manipulated by declarations of fake "I Love You"s.

18. How was this year worse than 2015?

I had to face a lot of harsh circumstances. Heart shattered again. Increased responsibility. 

19. Who did you miss the most over the past year?

My old self. My babies.

20. What was the most valuable thing you spent money on this year?

Myself.

21. What did you waste too much money on this year?

Shopping, ended up hoarding all sorts of stuff but I love it.

22. How did you spend your birthday this year?

With my babies, family and friends. Felt truly blessed and of course loads of gifts is always a plus.

23. What was the best book you read in 2016?

Hey, I'm a bibliophile so these are the ones I really liked - Subtle Art of not Giving a Fuck, The Pilgrimage, The Zahir, Mind Platter, Chaos of the Stars, The Cyber Effect and Data Love.

24. What do you wish you’d spent more time doing this year?

Learning and attaining knowledge, spending more time with family and friends.

25. What do you wish you’d spent less time doing?

Over thinking and crying.

26. What made you the angriest in 2016?

Figuring out someone's deception.

27. When did you feel the most at peace this year?

When I visited a children’s home this year. There was so much love that was needed and the warmth I felt and the hugs I craved were all I got from there.

28. What is the biggest risk you took in 2016?

I followed my gut.

29. What made you laugh the hardest this year?

Good times with friends and there were a LOT.

30. What ended for you in 2016?

One sided relationships.

31. What began for you in 2016?

New me.

32. What song will always remind you of this year?

Cold water - Major Lazer and Justin Beiber

33. How did this year differ from the way you thought it would go?

I was better. I managed to achieve quite a lot. I pushed myself.

34. How would you describe your personal style over the past year?

It’s improved a lot, I still love bling though. I have my own style, am comfortable in it and even though I doubted it at one point, clear indications and lots of people complimenting me cleared all doubts.

35. Who in your life did you look up to the most this year?

No one actually. I realized everyone is dealing with some shit. It's your own strength that you should inculcate and that will make the most out of you. It will help you endure.

36. Which quote best sums up the past year for you?

The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind ~ Caroline Myss

37. Did you fall in love this year?

No, I got out of it, nearly there.

38. Did your heart break this year?

Yes.

39. What was your favorite TV show in 2016?

Black Mirror

40. Which (if any) new years resolutions did you keep this year?

Most of them.

41. Which (if any) new years resolutions will you be making for next year?

Will have to think about this to be honest.

42. What disappointed you the most in 2016?

That love failed me, yet again.

43. Who did you rely on the most in 2016?

P

44. Who might you owe an apology to at the end of this year?

No one.

45. How did you grow as a person over the past year?

I became more compassionate. I learned a lot of things and the primary one being, never say never. I know it takes a lot to stay true to yourself and handle yourself in times where the mind is weak and the heart sways. I became extra thoughtful towards people who love me. 

46. What made you feel the most stuck this year?

Trying to fall out of love and at the same time making sense of a lot of things. It's very tough to be honest to bury your feelings for someone. It takes a lot of effort to forgive people who tried to get away with hurting you. It's the hardest though to forgive yourself.

47. What made you feel the most inspired this year?

Reading books and listening to people talk about their stories about strength, courage, forgiveness, letting go and love.

48. If you could go back and give yourself a single piece of advice on the first day of 2016, what would it be?

Look before you leap.

49. What’s the most important thing you learned this year?

Don't assume that people have the same heart as yours. A good support system will help you survive anything. Value yourself and people who love, care and are there for you.

50. What do you hope will be different for you by this time next year? 

I might not look at love without hope because for someone who believes in love, I've always questioned love after being proven wrong.

Phew, this was quite a heavy year on the heart and the mind. Hopefully 2017 will be kind to me. Hope this year brings me whatever that I desire. 

Happy New Year Folks!