Nafisa does this annual overview like clockwork. I often can’t be bothered, but this is a year that’s set up a kick-ass 2016, so next year I’d like to look back at this and see how my life’s changed. Let’s see how it went:
1. What did you do in 2015 that you’d never done before?
I got myself some mermaid hair; I knitted a square with a skull as part of the pattern and two with hearts; I plan to learn to crochet after Christmas, so technically I haven’t done it yet, but it will still be in 2015.
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t make resolutions, but I have a few good intentions for 2016.
3. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
I’ll be returning to Jo’burg from Pretoria, so if I can find a party to crash I’ll be there. If not I’ll be chilling on the couch with a mixer and a book, probably. Living the wild life, I know.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, but someone close to someone close to me died, resulting in a mini road trip.
5. What countries did you visit?
All the countries in the books I read and in my mind I spent a fair amount of time in Germany. Imagination is a fantastic visa.
6. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?
Regular salon visits. I kid not. The transformation to mermaid was my first visit to a hair salon in two years.
7. What date from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
27 April. I reached my lowest low but started the process to get up.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Staying alive. Actually, not just staying alive, but starting to flourish.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Waiting so long to get help. And letting another person make me feel inept.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing serious
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My mom’s Christmas presents. There’s one in particular I can’t wait for her to open. The mermaid hair was pretty awesome too. And my birthday cake was a goody too.
12. Where did most of your money go?
Groceries, naturally. Big purchases included my little Lenovo E10 and servicing my car.
13. What song will always remind you of 2015?
Not sure. I don’t listen to new music except when the (cool) kids in the office play some, and nothing really stands out. Except I think it’s Drake’s Hotline Bling because it’s a favourite of my colleague Anele.
14. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Standing up for myself. Also believing in myself. Visiting my family.
15. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Cry. Overthink stuff. Feel sorry for myself.
16. What was your favourite TV program?
I don’t watch TV, but I did watch Mr Robot. It was interesting.
17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate is a nasty thing. But there are new people I very strongly dislike.
18. What was the best book you read?
I read a lot this year. I finished the Dexter series, read loads of Janet Evanovich, Margaret Atwood, Stephen King, but my favourite non-fiction was Jon Ronson’s So you’ve been publicly shamed (I believe everyone needs to read this and stop with the mob mentality). I also loved Fredrik Backman’s My grandmother sends her regards and apologises. And an honourable mention to Jenny Lawson for Furiously happy.
19. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Uhm… See question 13.
20. What was your favourite film of this year?
I’ve only seen two films this year. I liked both of them fine. They were Crimson Peak and Victor Frankenstein. Nice and dark.
21. What did you do on your birthday?
I had two meetings, missed a deadline, had seriously delicious cake, was overwhelmed by the cool gift my very awesome colleagues had organised for me, took myself for more cake and felt sorry for myself.
22. What kept you sane?
Meds
23. Who did you miss?
My grandparents and best friend
24. Who was the best new person you met?
Binwe, Kim, Kat, Mel, Anele, Brooklyn
25. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015.
Everyone has something to teach.
Came back to say, again, love the hair 😀