A Year of Change

28 December 2013

8 months ago I moved to the BIG CITY of London, moved in with someone pretty awesome, discovered a new design career & currently working with an awesome team of people and projects that challenge me daily. I’ve also made fantastic new friends, too. I didn’t know what to expect from any of this but I had goals and bags of enthusiasm!! This change of surrounding, moving to London, was the best thing that could have happened to me. My mindset changed about what was important to me – in my work and personal life.

As we approach the end of the year, it made me think about the notable moments this year has given me, and the events that really affected and inspired me. I can honestly say that five things impacted my life this year and has forever changed the person I was last year into who I am now…

#1 Living life by my #Cindy365Notes Book. I started the 365 Notes challenge on the 1st January 2013, where I wanted to see how writing a note a day and putting their words to real-life action would take me. It’s indeed been an epic year of notes and actions! As a creative I like things that inspire me – especially words and quotes. My everyday notes are a reminder that life is short, and that I need to stop putting off things that really matter (procrastinating eats us all up daily). Reflecting on my notes everyday made me feel ready to finally move to London, I move in with someone pretty awesome, embarked on a new design adventure and discovered working with a new team. It made me ready to live days with a bit of uncertainty – teaching me to plan better, and made me appreciate those I love and care about even more. They do say, actions speak louder than words – in my books, words are the start to meaningful action(s) —> new experiences, opportunities and great stories worth telling!

#2 Adapting to life as a Londoner.  Everyone walks so fast here; the morning tube/Underground becames a battleground and daily companion from A – B, and where waiting 4 minutes for the next tube is usually seen absolutely preposterous – really!??; I noticed how people didn’t stop to look up to appreciate their surroundings or take photos without thinking ‘Tourist!’. I missed the smell of fresh air and greenery, I missed the taste of a ‘proper’ cuppa, too – to make tea I use water from a filter otherwise the tea leaves a layer of horrible skin (something to do with their hard water)… I will NEVER get used to sirens here but I do love living in London, and there’s always something new to discover on every side street I walk!

#3 Blog North 4 Blogging Workshop in Leeds. In April, I was invited to speak at Blog North’s Food Glorious Food. Here I did my first practical workshop, sharing with attendees my experiences and advice on blogging and creating an on/offline community (through my events and social engagement activities). The day saw me hanging out with an army of food & drink-related individuals. It was a veritable cornucopia of an event that teased out my blogging tastebuds, but the event gave me the confidence to speak out in larger groups. Interactive and inspiring workshops are definitely something I’d like to do more of in the future. You can read the blog post about the event here.

#4 Yorkshire Tea on the Orient Express. On Wednesday 24 April, I was invited to join the lovely people at Yorkshire Tea for a trip on the world famous, Orient Express to celebrate the joys of a proper brew. And what a ‘once in a lifetime experience’ it was, too. Myself with 200 other lucky guests were treated to a tea-lightful afternoon chugging around the London countryside whilst enjoying afternoon tea with champagne and tea, and to finish off, the Yorkshire Tea Brass Band got everyone dancing whilst supping exclusive Yorkshire Tea cocktails! The event made me appreciate the moment and people I knew, and taught me, if you have passion for what you do and share, fused with knowing the right people in your field then experiences & opportunities like these can come your way – have the confidence to say ‘hello’ to the right person…. you can read the blog post about my Orient Express experience here.

#5 Missie’s Sheffield Pud Inn Clubs. What a sweet eventful year it’s been for my #MissiesPudInn events. The year’s seen us get some happy hours in, we went ‘Back to School‘ for a lesson on building a delicious community and for Christmas, gave diners a good nightmare to remember! Pud Inns are a great metaphor for building a stronger and supportive community – each time I organise a meet up and collaborate with Sheffield’s makers, I’m smiling as it proves how far the events have come. Everyone needs a good pud-neighbour, afterall :)

Final note….
Time flies when you’re a ‘hard worker’ and having fun in London. Seriously, how is it the end of the year, already?!? I have loved sharing my #Cindy365Notes inspirations, daily goings-on, ideas, bits of my foodie life and design projects with you, and I look forward to bringing you more deliciously meaningful things in 2014. London, let’s make 2014 a great one!

What are the events or moments that changed you this year? – Missie Cindz/Cindy x

Missie Cindz