Good One

People say that time flies when you're having fun. Considering that I have no idea how there are less than two weeks left until 2015, I suppose I had lots of fun in 2014. Let's drink to that!

Cheers to...

...visiting new places. If I could summarize 2014 in a single quote, it would be Dalai Lama's "Once a year, go someplace you've never been before." I might have taken it a little too sternly, since I checked Barcelona, Madrid, Toledo, Strasburg, and Sifnos off my wanderlust list.

... returning to places you've been before and creating new memories (and inside jokes): London, Naxos, Paris, Athens, Patras.

... losing some acquaintances and building strong, meaningful friendships instead.

...selfies! 2014 was my selfie year and even though I still find them a little silly, they are always a reminder of very joyful moments!

... to the wonderful new people I met this year.

... to indulgences and the small things in life that make a difference.

... to saying "yes" to new things. For example, I watched at least 10 (!) world cup games this summer. Here's how I felt about it, more or less:

But I'm still glad I did, since hadn't I, I'd never know how cute the Greek goalkeeper is (as well as pretty useless, if you ask me). I also went to a Medieval Fair.

... to siblings. Growing older and apart from each other doesn't have to mean growing apart.

... channeling our inner kid, learning how to be spontaneous, silly and carefree.

... unconditional love. May you give it, may you find it, may you cherish it!

... flaneur-ing.

Here's a few important things I learned in 2014:

Honesty is the best policy. Be honest to your family and friends, your other half (funnily enough, Germans say "better half"), your co-workers, your professors, but also to yourself: Know what you can and what you want.

You are not Nutella. You can't make everybody like you, just the way you can force yourself to like everybody. I'm a chronic crowd pleaser, who would do anything to make the others happy, but sometimes this is either a) impossible, or b) not really worth it - there are better things you can invest your time and effort in.

Accept no labels. Do not let the way others see you define your sense of self-worth and the way you perceive yourself. In other words, "if they don't know you personally, don't take it personally". Or if you decide you want to consider it seriously, always take critique with a grain of salt. I used to think that critique could only be positive; a way to correct my faults, but then I started receiving comments on traits of my personality that I actually liked, so I decided I had enough. It was an awakening and a "challenge accepted" moment for me. I wanted to prove others wrong, but not in their eyes, only in mine. The same "no labels" policy I'm trying to apply to others as well; to listen and get to know other people better before reaching arbitrary conclusions.

Health and family are the most important things you can ask for. That's not exactly breaking news, you might say. Well, it is something, though, that most of us tend to forget from time to time. Σtudying medicine in the last two semesters made me realise how lucky I am to be healthy and how important it is to respect and take care of my body. In addition, the passing of one of my dearest people made me realise that no matter how much you might love someone, they remain mortal. Same rule applies to grandparents get ting older, parents receiving exam results, or friends getting sick. Therefore, every moment with them should be seized and cherished.

And now I'm off to writing down my resolutions' list for 2015, what's in yours? What changed in 2014 for you? What are your fondest memories and what are you looking forward to having/ trying/ being/ experiencing in 2015?

Kisses,

F.

PS: Facebook anyone? Tweet me maybe? 

PS2: Now I'm also on Instagram!