As 2018 draws to a close, I'm surprised at how quickly it's come around. Nonetheless, the end of the year is a perfect time to reflect on the previous year and evaluate the lessons learnt. I was having a read through some of my favourite blogs and I stumbled across Mollie's blog post on her 'takeaway' lessons from 2018 and she inspired me to write this post! There are five main things I've learnt from this year which I'll share below which have inspired my New Year's resolutions.

1. If you put in hard work, success will come to you

This year I worked full-time hours at work whilst completing a full-time masters degree, I put in the hard work and dedication, with some days getting to the office at 4am and leaving at 11pm. I put my heart and soul into both working and my masters degree, writing countless assignments and writing a 15,000 word dissertation, culminating in being awarded my masters degree in Marketing Management with Merit! I'm ending the year with a great qualification which has held me in good stead for a job in Marketing. Which, I managed to do, by securing a job as Digital Marketing Executive at a software firm and I couldn't be happier that my hard work has allowed me to work in a role whilst utilising my masters degree.

What will I do differently in 2019? I wouldn't necessarily say I'm going to do anything different in 2019 with this lesson. However, I'm going to continue putting in hard work to my job, improving, learning and striving to become the best marketer that I can possibly be.

2. Friendship is a two-way street

This year, I've become friends with some incredibly wonderful people and become a lot closer to people who I wasn't necessarily close with this time last year! However, I have also found myself in several toxic friendships. Two main instances come to mind: a toxic competitive relationship where the friendship was based on one-upmanship, continually berating me in front of others and tearing me down behind my back. The other friendship I found that just because you call someone a 'friend' doesn't mean the friendship is reciprocated.

It's sad to see people I initially considered friends to become this way, however, at the end of the day you have to do what's best for you and sometimes cutting these types of 'friend' loose is the only way to move on. In 2018, I began to remove these toxic friendships as quite frankly, I don't have the time or the inclination to waste any more time on these types of people.

What will I do differently in 2019? In 2019, I will continue to remove toxic friendships and cut ties with people people who bring me down and aren't happy to celebrate my successes when I am there 100% to celebrate theirs. I'm going to put my extra time into continuing to develop my existing friendships with my wonderful friends and making sure I'm doing everything to be a good friend.

3. It's okay to not be okay

I'm one of those people who always try to be happy, and positive and not be a negative nelly. However, I've learnt that it's okay to reach out to your friends and family if you're stressing about an assignment,  dissertation or shit friendship situation. They can often give you some of the best advice and an outsiders perspective.

What will I do differently in 2019? I resolve that in 2019, I am going to make more time for me- giving myself an evening a week to do life admin and to not be rushing round 24/7. I also resolve I am going to be healthier, and get back on the diet wagon to get back to my goal weight. Healthy mind is a happy life after all!

4. Sometimes you need to prioritise money

After the huge expense of my masters, I've realised I reeeeeally need to get better at prioritising my money and begin saving.

What will I do differently in 2019? I will pay off my credit card and begin saving for a house deposit. Even if this means compromising on buying less make up and missing out on some social occasions.

5.  There's still so much to learn and mistakes can be a good thing

Even though I've now finished in formal education, everyday is a school day. I still learn something new everyday and about a huge range of different things. From car insurance, to marketing, to general news and random facts, I've learn a lot in 2018.

I've also learnt that making mistakes can also lead to more learning opportunities as finding out what you've done wrong and how to fix what you've done wrong is all part of the learning process.

What will I do differently in 2019? I'll continue to learn something new everyday and search out different opportunities to learn more. I also resolve not to be afraid of making mistakes, and learn you can't always be a perfectionist.