Thinking back to this time last year, it feels a lot longer than just 12 months. I have gone through a great amount of growth, I am not the same person I was 12 months ago, but I feel closer to myself than I ever have been.
- I finished my university degree, something that I had been working toward for over 5 years. I never thought I would make it to the end, I had almost quit multiple times, but I didn’t, I made it. I can now proudly say I have a bachelor of health science in Naturopathy.
- I started working in the field that I got my degree in, which unfortunately not a lot of people can say that they get the opportunity to do. I didn’t think that I would be a practising naturopathic practitioner straight away, didn’t think I would be good enough, but I jumped on in anyway. I have been lucky enough to work at a lovely clinic with an amazing group of other health practitioners, that have supported me and what I do. It hasn’t been easy, in fact it has been one of my biggest challenges to date, but when you are passionate about something, it is worth it.
- I have started my own business. Being a Naturopath, you don’t just get a job, work 5 days a week, then get a wage. You are your business. I have had to try to become a business women: organise my taxes, build a website, network with other businesses, promote myself, do ordering, work at work, work at home, constantly think of ways I can improve, it’s a 24 hour job. When I knew I wanted to study Naturopathy and become a Naturopath, I didn’t fully realise the extra work I had to do, to show people that I am worthy of their money being spent on me and what I have to offer. I have had to step so far out of my comfort zone, but if I don’t I can’t move forward. I can’t do what I love, if people don’t even know I exist to help them in the first place. A lot of faking my own confidence, has made me gain more confidence, and realise, I have been my own barrier for so long.
- This year has come with a great amount of self-realisation. I have always labelled myself as shy or an introvert, thinking that this is just the way I am and there is nothing I can do about it. It is easy to not do something and rationalise with yourself that you didn’t do something because, it’s just not you. But who determines what you are? You. I am not determined by what others think of me, it is what I think of myself that matters and I am my own worse critic.
- 2017 has been the most challenging year for my mental health, many ups and downs. I have finally realised that I suffer from anxiety. Again, I thought it was just the way I was, someone that is always worried or overthought things, or got so nervous they felt sick. Maybe it is a part of me and who I am, and this is okay. But now I am aware of it and I am working on my own ways of dealing with it.
- This year I have realised and appreciated even more the support I have from my family and friends. In all areas of my life, whether it is from home, love life, school, university, both jobs, those I have known for a short while or a long while. I know I have gained new bonds that will last a lifetime, and strengthened those that have always been there. Those people know who they are and I am so grateful that you let me talk about my hopes and dreams or just complete rubbish sometimes. You all make be believe I can do anything and deserve everything this world has to offer.
I know that this year is just the beginning, I am just starting to blossom, 2018 watch out!