2017, oh good, terrible, emotional, aggressive, jovial, miserly, bittersweet 2017.

it is evident that 2017 has been one of the best and worst years of everyone's lives, in general. although 2017 did bring a rise in hate crime, terrorism, racism, and gender related crimes, it also gave us love, and reasons to actually smile. granted, yes, this year definitely could have been described as greyer than a dreary london day, but the vibrant bursts of small benefits really did brighten everyone's days completely.

firstly, the women's march; which took place in various cities around the world, embarked the standing up for women's rights, against the most egotistical man living right now, who sadly basically controls the world. these marches however, have inspired the youngest of women to keep pursuing at a variety of things. if you are a woman, and reading this right now, i want you to take inspiration from emmeline pankhurst and the suffragettes, michelle obama, eleanor roosevelt, emma watson, coco chanel, princess diana, and so many other amazing women, who never stopped fighting for what they believe in.

secondly, the solar eclipse. even though it was only a select number of places who were able to see this incredible phenomenon, it still described how insane and scientifically crazy this world is. it's a complete metaphor; the fact that something that feels like complete darkness can vanish in the matter of minutes - and personally, i believe that this symbolises 2017. 2017 was a dark year, but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. to have darkness, you need light. light will always come out of darkness, and a solar eclipse really did seem fitting for this year.

thirdly, music. this year, we have been utterly blessed by some of the most beautiful songs in the world. firstly, we got the beauty of there's nothing holdin' me back, how incredible is that? not only did we get shawn music, but we got khalid's album dropping, harry styles' album, niall horans, daniel caesar's, camila's solo career, and so many more insane albums and singles which really did connect with so many people around the world. music connects people, and 2017 100% did prove that.

2017 was like the work of fitzgerald. you had people wanting in on so many different things, immaturity in those you would believe to be mature, and maturity in those you would believe to be immature. you had the constant lacks of being content. fitzgerald taught people to not dwell on what they want, and focus of what they have, and i am a true advocator of what fitzgerald imposed into the world of literature. you are perfect already, don't want to change because others around you are different; every individual has a different make-up. it's amazing to be original.

2017 has had its ups and downs, but at the end of the day, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. things will get better.

to me, 2017 has been the best year of my life. we reached 1 million reads on fake, and over 13k followers, which is absolutely insane, if you ask me. i never, ever imagined to surpass 1000 followers, let alone 13,000 and i just want to thank each and every one of you for being on this amazing journey with me. i love you all so much, and i can't wait to see what 2018 has in store for us.

a little bit of advice before we hit the new year; cut all toxic people out of your life. i promise you that it will be worth while in the future, because once you cut out the negativity in your life, you have so many more positive things to focus on, which could ultimately make everyone in a happier state of mind.

i am wishing you all the most pleasant start to 2018, and a happy new year, because you all deserve it.

i love you,
-s