I feel like I have to constantly apologise to myself for never blogging when I always promise to commit to it, but honestly I'm mostly put off by the realisation that I always want to say the same thing: life is unpredictable, busy and exciting. More so in this past year than most.

Being 20 has taught me more about myself than any year preceding it, if you told me this time last year about the position I'm in right now I don't know what I would have felt. I am much more confident and empowered than I ever have been before. I've overcome a lot of my anxieties around food which have kind of plagued the majority of my life, I've dealt with my first experience of grief and handled negative relationships, and for the first time ever, I actually have some sense of comfort in my own skin.

Living in Vancouver was the greatest experience of my life, without a doubt. The thrill of moving so far from home and immediately feeling an overwhelming excitement and simultaneous comfort never wore off. The city means so much to me, and so does every single person I met there. The mountains, the familiarity of the streets, the beaches, sunsets, food, greenery, the shiny floor-to-ceiling windows of the buildings downtown; every single aspect of Vancouver is my favourite thing. My almost lifelong dream has been to work in Disney World, and this week it comes true. I'm still in complete disbelief that I found so much love in Vancouver that the idea of going to Orlando instead of going back there for the summer has made the whole thing bitter-sweet. To quote a certain Flynn Rider/Eugene; I've found my new dream.

I'm going to try and keep this short and sweet, because I have so much to say and no amount of words I throw together will ever fully explain how extraordinary this past year has been. Being 20 has been wonderful, and I've changed for the better. I'm excited to start my next trip around the sun with a much more adventurous mind when it comes to new experiences, and I want to carry both the confidence and love that I've felt this year with me for as long as I can.

Here's to everyone who has made 20 what it was, whether their impact was a learning experience or an enriching one.
Here's to taking every opportunity that comes and embracing them wholeheartedly.
Here's to vulnerability, to storytelling (and listening), to new friends, new places, making the most of the four seasons, celebrating and appreciating the people you love, to laughter and to (probably many) tears.

Happy birthday to me 😊