2014 Reflection

I'm sorry for all of the 2014-centric posts, but there are definitely quite a few more to come because, well, a lot of great stuff has happened this year! I've learned a lot about myself and have accomplished some things that I definitely didn't expect.

The, HANDS DOWN, best part of this year was finally deciding to start taking blogging more seriously. I started this blog in July of 2012, but my posts were sporadic, not all that nice, and mostly out of boredom, not because I wanted to blog. In March of 2014, during spring break, I decided that I wanted to "be a blogger," whatever that means. I bought my domain name, I made social media badges and customized my template (not the one I have now, thankfully), and I jumped head first into daily blogging. I don't know what I would do with my time and thoughts if I didn't have this blog to put my heart and soul into. I love blogging with every fiber of my being and am sososo happy that this was one of my biggest accomplishments of the year.

My spring semester of my first year of college as well as the fall semester of my sophomore year took place during 2014. College is weird. I love school and learning, I love Cleveland, I love what I'm doing with my life, but I don't think I'm 100% in love with college and its expectations. I feel like there are so many aspects of college that are hyped up that I have zero interest in or no success in. I don't like the glamorized idea of what your social life is supposed to be like (I'd much rather bake cookies with friends or walk around downtown with coffee and cookies) or that you're supposed to make lifelong friends. Maybe it's just me, but making friends at school is difficult. Everyone I meet commutes and nobody wants to hang out downtown or on campus when they can just be at home. Which I totally understand! But that doesn't make it any less frustrating. Hopefully, 2015 will be the year that I figure out this whole college thing once and for all, not just the academic and personal aspects. 

I got my first retail job this past year. Actually, I got it in December, but still, doesn't mean it doesn't count! I don't mind retail one bit. Then again, I work in a luggage store and there isn't much temptation to shop whilst working, haha.

My haircut was also a big part of my year, another recent happening that I am so beyond pleased with. I've had long hair for as long as I can remember, and I've always wished that I was brave enough to rock shorter locks. After a failed attempt to do this my freshman year, I swore off short hair and kept growing mine out until it was mermaid status. God bless Taylor Swift and Carly Cristman for the hairspiration this year!

This was the year of weekend trips and vacations. I went to Chicago with my mom in February, Delaware with my family in August, and then to New York City back in November. I'm in LOVE with all three of these places and I'm very excited to see where I travel to this year. I know Minneapolis is on the list, as my cousin is getting married in May! I hope another trip to NYC can happen, as well as Boston again? I visited in 2013 for college visits, but didn't have as much time (or money) as I would have liked to explore. Time will only tell!

It wouldn't be a post on LATF without mentioning Harry Styles or One Direction. That's right, I saw those British and Irish babes in August along with 5SOS (Aussie babes) and was in absolute heaven. Hands down, probably the most fun and stressful day of my life.

So many things happened this year that I'm so glad I got to document through Instagram and blog posts. I don't think I would have changed anything that happened, maybe aside from waiting so darn long to cut my hair! 

I am so grateful for everything that happened to me in 2014 and all of the people I met or kept in my life. I'm grateful I got to see my family so often and for every second I spent with my friends. I'm grateful for this blog and every single last person who has stumbled upon it. I absolutely CANNOT wait for what's to come in 2015. 

What was your favorite part of 2014?