January & March and September: Got new tattoos
Getting new tattoos has been something that made it on my reflection blog post annually, however, I think these three tattoos are going to be my last ones after learning that my skin type is most prone to developing a keloid scar. Just the thought of it is scary because I’ve had to pay for my keloid scar to be removed privately as well in March 2021 (but this keloid scar was caused by a piercing).
February: We moved to a much bigger space
Lockdown made us do this, really. My partner and I worked from home during the lockdown and the space was very small. We thought since this was going to be our lives for the foreseeable future, we should move to a bigger space and while we were at it, we rehomed a little cutie called Dumpling.
February: We got a cat named Dumpling
We finally welcomed a cutie British Shorthair Silver Tabby to our family in March of 2021 when he was 11 months old. We got to celebrate his first birthday with him and we gave him steak (knowing he loves it!).
March: Got my keloid removed
Long-awaited, saved up my own money and went private. I tried going through to the NHS and took me years before I was able to be referred to a specialist who by that point did absolutely nothing to help. I took matters into my own hands and went private to get the surgery.
March: Started studying master’s in International Marketing at the University of Sussex
This was not a spontaneous plan but it has always been something on my mind for a while. In fact, since I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in 2019. It was something I wanted to do alongside working full-time. If I don’t do my master’s alongside working full time, truth be told, I will have no other sources of income and won’t be able to pay my bills.
I do have a side hustle which is Moonwitch Studio but I still don’t make enough to be able to rely on it.
I asked if I was able to get support from my first job in 2019, and the answer was no unless I have already worked there for 2+ years as well as stayed for longer for the duration of the course and (I think) two years after the course finishes. The thing is that I barely knew the company then, and for me to stay somewhere that long, especially in my first job, isn’t a very smart idea. As a young graduate, I would like to explore other industries. I then forget about the idea of studying for a master’s for a while until early 2021, not long after I started my current job.
In 2020, I got a new job in November and then started looking at Master’s courses again not long after I started my new job. I came off the idea of asking for support from my employer so I was going to fully fund myself this time. However, upon asking my current employer for their permission for me to study alongside work, they offered to pay for half of my master’s course which I cannot be more grateful for.
If something is meant to be, it will be without having to ask.
July: Rebranded Craftology by Bolly to Moonwitch Studio
Although Craftology by Bolly was the name I very much loved for my business as it started because I was learning to get myself back into crafting. As time went by, I thought that the style of art I love wasn’t a ‘Craftology by Bolly’ like so I renamed this to something that could connect the two together, the style of art and the crafty element of it.
September: Started learning to drive, again
Last year this was in my reflections, COVID-19 happened and there wasn’t much I could do about this. Then everything started to ease in the UK so I was able to start learning to drive again. I had my first 4 hours in December (yes it was that long to wait).
October: We put a deposit down for a dog in 2023
Apart from having a cat, having a dog has also always been my goal. However, with so much going on in my life right now, I want to spend 2022 putting myself together, and then as a gift from me to me, we will get a dog at the end of this. I don’t want to rush into getting a dog while having other commitments that are already taking over my life.
November: Got my newfound mole removed
My second surgery this year. This year was really about catching up with all my missed GP appointments. It was a very long wait but it was worth the wait.
December: Bought a car (Fiat 500)
I thought this goal would remain on my 2022 list but made it onto my 2021 list. I am glad I bought my car in December because I was able to practice driving in my own car.
