I saw this post on Gala Darling‘s blog and I thought I’d like to give it a go (I used to love doing surveys like these in the early 00s).

What did you do in 2018 that you’d never done before? I got a promotion of sorts which allowed me to work part-time (but with a decent salary), I completed by PGCert in Inclusive Arts Practice, I was given an engagement ring, I submitted writing to creative writing journals, I got a classroom assistant-ish work experience placement and discovered the joys of having a humidifier.

Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I can’t quite remember what they were and I tend to have resolutions through the year. My constant resolution is to keep putting my writing out there into the world – without fear of rejection.

Did anyone close to you give birth? No.

Did anyone close to you die? My neighbour and a couple of family dogs.

What countries did you visit? None.

What would you like to have in 2019 that you lacked in 2018? Better mental health is always a goal for me.

Did you suffer illness or injury? A few but time has erased them from my memory. I remember a few falls and some severe allergic reactions.

What was the best thing you bought? Paints.

What did you get really, really, really excited about? Spending time with my loved ones and discovering creative writing journals (I had no idea journals were anything other than academic). I also love being in my new flat.

What song will always remind you of 2018? Samaritans by IDLES

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. Happier or sadder? The same.

ii. Thinner or fatter? Much fatter.

iii. Richer or poorer? Much richer.

What do you wish you’d done more of? I wish I went to France.

What do you wish you’d done less of? Commuting!

How will you be spending Christmas? Travelling mostly – on the motorway, not the exciting sort.

What was the most embarrassing thing that happened to you in 2018? I can’t think of anything embarrassing that stands out. And the things that felt embarrassing at the time don’t feel like a big deal now.

Did you fall in love in 2018? No.

How many one-night stands? Nil

What was your favorite TV program? Oh gosh, I don’t remember. But I do remember loving To All The Boys I Loved Before.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Nobody I can think of. I am trying to move past hate.

What was the best book you read? I didn’t read much, but I revisited Hark! A Vagrant earlier this month and laughed myself to sleep a few nights.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? My birthday is New Years Day so I don’t remember but I blogged a picture of a lightbox.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2018? Poetic layabout

What kept you sane? My family, partner, friends and colleagues – anyone who knows me really.

What political issue stirred you the most? I am on an even plateau most of the time, unless someone asks me a question. Discussions surrounding Brexit are the most frequent conversation topic.

Who was the best new person you met? My department; LTEU.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2018: To chill out because I’ll probably have forgotten about it by the end of the year.

Questions via galadarling.com/article/2018-in-review/