It's been a while since I've opened a browser and logged into my blogger account but I thought doing a recap of the year would be the perfect opportunity to. As 2015 comes to a close, it has become clear to me that 2015 has become one of the most pivotal years of my young existence. I started the year with such trepidation and am ending it with more self-awareness and a clearer image of who I want to be as I progress through life.
I started out the year applying for a semester abroad. I had always wanted to do a semester abroad but was always so nervous. Reflecting back I think I was nervous because of I was scared of leaving what was comfortable for me. In Sydney, I know who my friends are, how to interact with others, how to get to places and I had a routine. Sydney to me was friends, family, Uni and work. I had my motions in place and going abroad would mean that I leave all of that behind. Getting pass that barrier was probably one of my scariest moments. Pressing submit on my application was me telling myself, "Lucy you need to go out and explore! You need to stop holding onto your security blanket and do something that scares you".

2015 began with me working pretty much non-stop. It was one of my first years where I only had 1 job since I've juggled 2 jobs pretty much since I graduated high school but working that one job was full on. I worked full-time hours for a lot of weeks and my life become Uni, volunteering once a week at a hospital and working. Though working started to consume my life, I wouldn't take it back for anything. I made good friends and leaving that workplace was such a bittersweet moment for me. It marked the start of my adventure, which was exciting, but also leaving a group of great friends and a somewhat makeshift family.

I embarked on my solo adventure on August the 18th, 2015. I said my goodbyes to my friends and family and boarded my first plane by myself. I was tired and jet-lagged especially since I spent essentially 2 days just travelling and in transit to my final destination, Prague. To recap my month long Europe adventure, it would be eye-opening. Eye-opening for the new places that I explored but also eye-opening for myself. Wandering streets by myself and spending so much time without the security blanket of my friends really made me reflect on my life and where I want it to go.

Studying abroad meant that I was living away from home for the first time in my life. I had to cook, clean and do my own washing. I couldn't rely on my mum or dad to make sure a meal was cooked for me when I arrived home from Uni or that I would always have a supply of clean clothes to wear. But throughout my time abroad, I have surprised myself especially with my cooking skills. I have learnt to be self-sufficient. I have cemented my belief that I can do things by myself and that I won't die if I need to fend for myself. My self-confidence has taken leaps and bounds while abroad.


Though 2015 was a journey of myself where I became more self-aware, confident and reassured about what I want out of myself and my life, it was largely a year that I learnt to appreciate my friends. Don't get me wrong, I love my friends and always have but this year just really cemented my love for them. Life throws you in such different directions and gives you curveballs to overcome. Life is unpredictable. You can't be guaranteed that something will go a certain way because you want it to. But if you have a core group of friends, friendships built on a strong foundation, you can overcome anything.


The group of friends that I have now, I would not have if my life didn't go in certain directions. If I haven't moved to Hurlstone, I would not have met any of the friends that I hold near and dear. Though they may not know it, my friends have become part of my foundation. They have silently been there for me. Given me the confidence to explore more, do more, laugh more and talk more. I think I've only been able to be as outgoing and loud and happy as I am because of them. They have given me strength when I didn't know I needed it. They have reassured me when I doubted myself. And this was all done subconsciously. It was done because I knew they would be in the background cheering for me. Egging me on instead of holding me back or doubting my decisions. Though my friends may not have done this all directly or out loud, their presence has had the same effect as if they were cheering me on.


Reflecting back on my life has made me realise this and for that, I will always be grateful to 2015. So thank you past Lucy for putting in the motions one of the most eye-opening years of my life. Here's to hoping that 2016 brings on some more revelations and personal growth.