What Sophie did in 2013

I can't quite believe that 2013 is almost over. This time last year, I could not stop feeling disappointed with how 2012 went for me and wanted to make sure that 2013 was much more successful and enjoyable than 2012. I wanted to be able to reflect on 2013 and be proud of what I had accomplished. I wanted to be able to say that I had fun and felt more comfortable in my own skin. I posted here about what my 2013 new years resolutions were. Although I didn't achieve all of them or only achieved them for a limited amount of time, I'm still proud of how far I've come over the last year and can safely say that 2013 was a good year...

Although school granted us no snow days, we were sent home early on a Friday with the whole weekend to look forward to. I visited my sister at university for her 19th birthday. I made amazing, new friends. I saw fireworks. I became best friends with my best friends' (Amy) dog. I went down to Devon to see all of my family. I cherished my cat (although unfortunately he died in May, RIP Louie). I had fun at school. In the Easter holidays I visited Highclere Castle (where they film Downton Abbey) and toured the grounds and inside the house. I went to London for the day with Amy to watch my Dad run his 4th marathon. I became best friends forever with my Amy's dog.

 In May half term I went to Bournemouth with Olivia and Amy where we played crazy golf, went shopping, went on some rides and chilled by the beach. Olivia and I cheered on Amy and her family in a fun run on the local airports' runway. I went to prom. I enjoyed the hot weather and cooled down using the sprinklers in my garden. I visited pretty places in the lovely weather. Olivia and I camped out in my back garden which we posted about here. On Olivia's birthday we went to Chessington World of Adventures where I relived my childhood and went on a cool, safari ride. I went to the Lake District with my family where I sat with Noddy. I walked around most of the lakes and my sister and I posed for a picture...prom style. I passed all my GCSEs and surprised myself with amazing grades. Olivia, Amy, Alice and I celebrated our results by going out for a meal. I travelled down to Devon again and took a picture of the famous Crapstone which is just up the road from my families' house.

I turned 17. I was reunited in Devon with the whole of my family on my mums' side for the first time in years. Also in Devon, I discovered my uncle was growing a GIANT pumpkin. We got a new cat called Missy who made herself at home very quickly. I went to more pretty places. In October half term I went to Fright Night at Thorpe Park with Amy and Alice which was so much fun. I had a fun Halloween with Olivia and Alice. I began learning to drive (I actually started to learn how to drive before Halloween but I switched the order of the pictures round...my bad). My town switched on their Christmas lights and I went on some really cool rides with my friends. I went to see Catching Fire which was my favourite film of 2013. My favourite dog in the whole wide world. I started getting ready for Christmas. I went ice skating and shopping in Winchester with Amy which was a lot of fun. The sky was beautiful one evening in December. I had a fabulous Christmas with my family (me and my sister wore Christmas jumpers the whole day).

2013 was a good year. I had fun. I achieved lots. But it wasn't an easy year. I had a couple of rocky patches along the way and I stressed about my GCSE exams and that's okay. Try not to focus on the negatives. Focus on the positives and you'll feel much better when reflecting on 2013.

Although its a little bit daunting heading into a new year, its a fresh start and a clean slate. I already have some things to look forward to next year. So whenever I next feel down I'm just going to think of those fun things lined up and I advise you to do the same.

My new years resolutions for 2014 -

• Blog more often
• Get a gym membership
• Eat healthier
• Do more chores around the house
• Get a job
• Study hard
• FOCUS ON THE POSITIVES AND BE HAPPY

I wish you all the best for 2014 and hope it's a good year for you. Let me know in the comments your highlights of 2013 and your new years resolutions for 2014.

Sophie x