I was going to do a post about all of my favourite things and places I’ve discovered during 2012, but seeing as how I only write about really fabulous buys, eats, and visits, I thought it might be a bit pointless, and my readers might find it repetitive. So instead, I’m going to do a slightly more personal post, giving readers a glimpse into how I survived the roller coaster that was 2012 (and I stole the questionnaire from Nafisa). And while it is a day late, I’m citing lack of internet access for the past three days as an excuse 🙂

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?
Well, I’ve done it before, but not at its proper time. In 2012 I celebrated my birthday with friends, inviting them for a Ladies’ Tea complete with goody bags. I also completed my first online course (Social Media) through GetSmarter, and I would definitely recommend this course to anyone interested in social media, particularly if you want to use it for business.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t do resolutions. I have things I want to do; I wanted to write more, meaning at all, and I did (not very much, but a start all the same). For 2013 I want to be bolder in my choices; choosing things because I want to, not because it’s right, or what is expected.

3. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
I tried to keep two very frightened Labradors calm. I think I was successful… eventually. Oh, I also did a fair amount of cursing the neighbours for their fireworks.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No

5. What countries did you visit?
None (again!)

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
A job I love and get paid decently for. In 2012 I had a job that had great benefits and a generous salary, but the passion was sporadic. I suppose I’m partly to blame for that, for not speaking up more and for not being assertive enough.

7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
31 October 2012. I was retrenched from the above-mentioned job. Obviously it was extremely emotional for me. It was comforting to know that even if I did speak up more, it wouldn’t have saved my position. It’s a good company to work for, and I was sad to leave. Having said that, I’m not sure I will work for them again if given the choice, at least not soon.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Completing the social media course with a 78% average. It’s been a long time since I studied anything. Some days were easier than others. I learned a lot about things I thought I already knew a lot about. It looks pretty lame, but I’m pretty sure I didn’t even have any kind of achievement the year before, so it’s something.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I’m sure there was plenty, but my subconscious apparently doesn’t want to dwell on negative things, since I can’t think of a single thing. I suppose I could say failing to secure a paying job for the new year is one, but I don’t see my nine-week unpaid internship as a failure; it’s a great opportunity to get practical experience in a field I’m interested in and will open doors for me. And it’s better than not having any job at all. But I’m really, genuinely excited about this job.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing new; although a hernia that’s been giving me trouble for years and was earlier thought to be an ulcer was successfully diagnosed, and I’ve adjusted my lifestyle accordingly. And I’ve received great preventative treatment for my migraines, which is the greatest relief you can imagine.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Gadgets, of course. I got an iPad at a steal 😉 and a Kindle. Oh! And a new external hard drive.

12. Where did most of your money go?
Same place it goes to every year, but at least for the last 18 months in a controlled and manageable way, to paying off the black hole of debt.

13. What song will always remind you of 2012?
We are young by fun. I’m not the kind of young the song refers to. I don’t think I ever was… But the person who shared it with me is young in every imaginable way and probably will be forever!

14. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Writing, naturally. And socialising (offline).

15. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Being boring. I was going to say responsible, but responsibility is a good trait. Except when it turns you into a bore. I was boring a lot (although a lot less than in 2011, depending on how you look at it).

16. What was your favourite TV program?
New Girl always cheers me up. And American Horror Story suitably freaked me out.

17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Same person, just more passionately. And not hate, exactly – that requires too much energy spent on people who don’t deserve it. Actually, now that I think of it, there are two people I really dislike for the way they are treating my favouritest person.

18. What was the best book you read?
The Hobbit. I can’t believe it took me so long! I read it after watching the movie, although it’s been on my “to read” list for ages. I loved it!

19. What was your greatest musical discovery?
fun. They have energy and the words have meaning… mostly 😀

20. What was your favourite film of this year?
To my great despair, I’ve only watched one film this year (that I can actually remember), but that’s okay since it really was a brilliant film. The Hobbit, of course. And yes, I have a bit of a Thorin-crush.

21. What did you do on your birthday?
I had a job interview. Not a very nice interview either. And I shopped to make myself feel better afterwards. (I didn’t though. Feel better, I mean.)

22. What kept you sane?
For a change, not prescription medication. Yes, aside from the two months in the middle of the year in an effort to combat my migraines, I’ve been antidepressant free for most of 2012, and I’m pretty chuffed about it. And for a change, not music either, but close. My audiobooks actually made me look forward to the daily commute between Pretoria and Johannesburg.

23. Who did you miss?
Just one person I actually have no business missing, since I can just call him up for a drink if I really wanted to. But I was busy being boring, so you see…

24. Who was the best new person you met?
I haven’t actually met him yet, but we chat online a lot. And I suppose we “met” in class, so to speak. Oh, that still doesn’t answer the “who”. Well, if you pay attention, neither did the previous question’s answer…

25. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012:
Just do it. No, really. Don’t worry about whether it’s right. Don’t worry about whether other people will approve. Follow your head and your heart equally (not necessarily your gut, since it might just be the hernia acting up). Believe in yourself; there are worse things you could do!

Related articles

• A Summary of 2012 – Welcome New Year! (heatbodd.wordpress.com)
• 20 Questions for a New Year’s Eve Reflection (alisueonthemove.wordpress.com)
• 2012 Wrap-Up (mangocita.wordpress.com)
• If I had to do 2012 over again… (atwistedcrownofthorns.com)
• My reading year 2012 (afictionhabit.wordpress.com)
• Favourite Books 2012 (childledchaos.me.uk)