Wow, what a crazy year. I thought no year would fly by as fast as 2014, but hey there 2015, you’ve gone and trumped it. It’s been a great year for me – here’s some things that happened on the ride:

1. I finally realised I’m too old to remain in love with One Direction. Zayn’s departure didn’t break my heart the way it should have done, and I came to the sad conclusion that I could’t really give two shits about them anymore.
2. I accepted that a bowl of bran flakes and four Ryvita crackers is not sufficient nutrition for the day.
3. I realised how much I truly hate winter. I used to sort of love the cosiness of it all – the jumpers, hot chocolates, fluffy socks and layered clothing. But at some point around July in Melbourne, rain-sodden and snivelling, I announced I could not go on. My search for eternal sunshine began in Northern Queensland, where I had two tantrums and shouted at my boyfriend declaring that the cloud that had appeared on our second day was his fault. Obviously.
4. I ate wallaby… and enjoyed it.
5. I gave up red meat (a very recent development – for those of you who are questioning whether or not you did in fact see me chug a burger two months ago).
6. I stopped lying to myself about enjoying clubs less than I used to. I started to realise I was getting too old for it when I stopped recognising the music, and I’m now 100% certain that I am over the hill.
7. I made my peace with Aussie television.
8. I learned the truth about Australian winter. No. It absolutely is NOT like our summer.
9. I learned to drive an automatic car without flapping my left foot about in search of a clutch.
10. I learned that sucking tea through a Tim Tam has to be done incredibly quickly before it all goes soggy and plummets to the ibis that is the bottom of your teacup.
11. Apparently having a headache doesn’t always mean you have a brain tumour.
12. I become a professional writer after years of writing content for free (yay me).
13. I allowed my boyfriend to see me removing my upper lip hair.
14. I discovered I am truly dreadful at market research interviewing.
15. I survived an 8 hour drive to Adelaide (and back) without a freak out (bar one tiny blip on the final 3 hour stint of the return journey when we were further from McDonalds than we thought).
16. I realised I don’t actually like Victoria’s Secret stuff that much.
17. I sent so much stuff home from Melbourne over the year that the man in the Post Office said “to England?” every time I went in with a parcel.
18. I realised I need to know more about politics.
19. I discovered the true need to wear socks with my running shoes.
20. I found a hairdresser that actually cuts off the amount you want, and doesn’t ask me how I blow dry my hair when she knows the answer is I DON’T.
21. I found that when you exercise a lot, your hair and beauty game takes a serious hit.
22. It seems that 5k in a beachfront race feels a lot further than 5k on the treadmill.
23. It turns out I don’t like chia seeds. Or cacao powder.
24. But against all odds I do like courgetti and natural peanut butter.
25. I finally found the perfect eyeliner brush.
26. I started saying no to cream on my Starbucks Christmas drinks for the first time EVER.
27. I learned both verses of the Australian National Anthem.
28. And upped my level of defence and respect for The Queen.
29. I discovered that working from home is not always the dream your 9-5 office job leads you to believe it to be.
30. I realised I’m over Lucy Watson.
31. But made my boyfriend follow her on Instagram.
32. Despite having fallen somewhat in love with mine and boyfriend’s long distance, novel-worthy existence, seeing some couples popping round to each other’s houses for the evening and having mutual family gatherings made me realise I do sometimes wish it was normal.
33. I found that I will forever compare every mode of transport to The Tube.
34. Taylor Swift got too cool for me. Bring back the country pop, gal.
35. I heard the phrase ON FLEEK and quickly developed a seething hatred for its entire being.
36. When I was new in Melbourne I made conversation with someone by telling them I thought I was allergic to my toothpaste.
37. I learned never to make conversation by telling someone you think you’re allergic to your toothpaste.
38. I cried at The Bachelor and The Bachelorette.
39. I also cried at Masterchef Australia.
40. I realised how sad I am that the early-twenties stage of my life where you live with girlfriends is over.
41. I realised that Corgis are my spirit animal. And that I must have one.
42. I went to JB HIFI and Harvey Norman in excess of one hundred times with my boyfriend while he stared at the same TV for hours on end. That’s love.
43. I discovered the reason I am so unhappy after going to Pancake Parlour is because I don’t actually like pancakes that much.

2015, you were pretty rad. Bring on 2016.

Coco xx