2017, you sure flew by! But what fun you have been (even during those London grey winter months, which I just love to hate).

In mid-2016 I moved back to London after working in Jordan. Another big life change and uprooting. One of many over the past 8 years!

It wasn’t easy to get settled back into London-life and find a job in the city. For a while I worked remotely for the job I had in Jordan. After some major hustle and a million job applications, I finally found work in London at the end of 2016. Josh and I moved in together around that time (another big life move!). By January of 2017 all of the pieces seemed to have come together.

And over the past year, despite all of the travel, life has been the most settled it has been in a LONG LONG time. It all just feels right, yah know?

Read More: 2017 Travel Round Up

As we are about to enter 2017, I’ve been doing some reflecting on this past year and all it has brought. Here are my 5 personal reflections from 2017.

BE PRESENT

The past few years have been filled with a lot of restlesseness. Lots of moving, traveling and new experiences. I am often looking forward to that next adventure or thing I want to accomplish. This year I’ve learned that it’s ok to “settle” a bit, that an adventure can also be in your own backyard, and that I need to be more content in the now instead of always focused on what’s to come. Balance between being present and pushing myself forwards has been a really important lesson for me.

CUT OUT THE SELF-DOUBT

I am filled with self-doubt. Like a lot of it. I often don’t think I’m going to get the job, or get into whatever graduate program, or make friends in new situations. Most of the time I feel like I’m just faking it until I make it. This often comes as a surprise to friends. And a lot of the self-doubt isn’t rooted in reality – I do get jobs, get into good graduate programs and make friends. But it’s an anxiety that I don’t often express to others. I’ve been trying to work on it throughout 2017 and it’s definitely something I need to continue to work on.

HAVE FUN EVERYDAY

Everyday before school my dad would tell me to “work hard but play harder”. He couldn’t be more right. The daily grind, especially in an exhausting city like London, can really get me down. I’ve thought back on his words often throughout this year – and i’ve tried to add more laughter and fun to my life on even the “boring” days. Life is too short to wait to have fun tomorrow, or on the weekend, or on that summer holiday you’ve been waiting for.

MAKE TIME FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY

This is something that has hit me so hard in 2017. And maybe it’s a sign of getting older, as I approach the big 3-0 in 2018. I’ve spent most of my 20s all over the place – both in good ways and in some not so good ways. For the most part, I’ve done what I wanted to, explored and lived where I wanted to and generally lived my 20s up. I’ve traveled all over, lived in North Carolina, Baltimore Uzbekistan, Jordan and now in my current home, London. But i’ve also learned the importance of keeping in touch with friends and family, both near and far, as I spend so much time away from them. And I’ve definitely realized that I’ve taken my family for granted way too often. So here’s to always working towards being a better friend, daughter and sister.

YOU’LL NEVER HAVE IT ALL FIGURED OUT. AND THAT’S OK!

This is another realization that has hit me as I approach 30. The age by which you think you’ll have “it all figured out” when you’re younger. Relationships, jobs, kids, happiness, home, retirement funds, savings, life. I definitely thought i’d be an “adult” by 30 – but I definitely don’t feel like an “adult” and by no means do I have it all figured out. I had a conversation with my father earlier this year where he told me he’s 73 and still feels like he’s 24, and while he is older and wiser, he definitely doesn’t have it all figured out. It’s also something I’ve been talking to so many friends about as we reach 30 – and my conclusion is that most people are unsure of a whole lot, are a hot mess in some parts of their life, and hardly any of us have it all figured out (even those that look like they do!). And that is a-ok!

What are some of your reflections from 2017? I’d love to hear about them, so please share them with me in the comments below. Wishing you a HAPPY NEW YEAR. And here’s hoping we all see and work towards a better and kinder 2018!