This past year has been one of the most challenging and transformative of my life. It began with a big move, full of excitement and possibility, but quickly spiralled into a period of deep struggle with my mental health. Yet, even in the hardest moments, there were glimmers of joy, growth, and resilience. As I look back through the pictures I’ve taken this year, they tell a story - not just of the places I’ve been and the things I’ve done, but of the strength it took to keep going. This is my year in pictures: a journey through change, hardship, and ultimately: healing.
Saying goodbye to Dr. Martens Belfast wasn’t just leaving a job - it was leaving family. The people there made Belfast feel like home, and I’ll always carry a piece of them with me.
Packing up my flat and my life to embark on a new adventure in Bath and Bristol was bittersweet. This flat wasn’t just four walls; it was the first place I could truly call my own - a space where I discovered the joy, peace, and independence of living alone, something I’d dreamed of for years.
Arriving in Bath meant starting fresh - exploring a new city, setting up a new flat, and adjusting to the unfamiliar. It was equal parts exciting and daunting.
First St. Patrick's Day and Easter away from Ireland.
This summer was a rollercoaster of incredible highs and profound lows. Highlights included being invited to guest tutor MA Photography students at Bath Spa University and basking in some of the best weather I’ve ever experienced. But it was also marked by a painful family bereavement and a complete nervous breakdown. It was a season of contrast, filled with moments that tested and shaped me in ways I couldn’t have anticipated.
Summer became a battleground for my mental health. I worked so hard to pull myself out of the darkness, but so much of it felt like running face-first into the wind. Looking back, it’s painful to realise how much of the year passed me by. Yet, with hindsight, I see it was a necessary turning point to push me toward healing and growth.
Preparing for To Jack was one of the hardest things I’ve ever undertaken, both creatively and personally. It pushed me to my absolute limits, and there were so many moments when I felt like I couldn’t make it through. But despite everything, I did. Looking back, I’m so, so incredibly proud of what I accomplished, even in the state I was in. This period of time stands as proof that I’m capable of more than I give myself credit for, even when everything feels like it’s falling apart.
Returning home after To Jack also meant returning to counselling after years away from it. For so long, I had put it off - I don’t even know why. But taking this step was one of the best choices I’ve made this year, and it’s been an essential piece in rebuilding myself.
As the seasons shifted and the temperature dropped, I began to feel real changes within myself. I’ve always struggled with seasonal depression, but for the first time, the work I started in summer began to take root. I’ve managed to hold off the usual winter darkness, and that feels like a big victory.
I traveled to London alone to see my favourite band, Jimmy Eat World’s largest UK headline show, and it was truly unbelieveable. While queuing outside the venue, a shooting star flew across the sky. They played songs I’d never dared to dream I’d hear live. It was magical.
December has felt uneasy, but in a good way - the kind of discomfort that signals change and growth. I’ve been learning more about myself, setting boundaries, and letting go of what doesn’t serve me. Reflecting on this year brought moments of sadness, realising how much I missed out on during my struggle. But it’s clear now that everything unfolded as it needed to, and I’m stepping into the new year with more strength and positivity than ever before.
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Looking back on this year, it’s clear it wasn’t the one I envisioned when it began. It was messy, painful, and at times, completely overwhelming. But it was also transformative. Through all the struggles, I’ve come out the other side with a stronger sense of self, a clearer understanding of my boundaries, and a deeper appreciation for the importance of caring for my mental health. This year taught me that growth often comes from the hardest places, and even when it feels impossible, you’re capable of far more than you think. As I step into the new year, I do so with hope, strength, and gratitude for the lessons this one gave me - even the ones that hurt.
Happy New Year!
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