The year that almost wasn’t

A year ago, I almost gave up blogging. I was reflecting on the new year ahead, having a growing toddler on my hands and working full-time at a demanding job.

I wondered if my heart was still in it. If I still had the time to write. If I’d be able to find the balance.

Obviously, I didn’t give up.

A year later and I look back at the 12 months that have just passed me by. To be honest, I thought that moment was 2 years ago because it seemed like forever since that moment. It’s funny how a year can seem like so long ago, yet it seemed to roll by so fast.

Without this blog I wouldn’t have been able to take the trip of a lifetime to Disney World. We still talk about that trip almost every day. It was magical. It was the time of our lives. Perfection.

Without this blog I wouldn’t have found a beautiful friend in Sarah. We talk almost every day and took a trip together to the States. We’re meant to be, Sarah and I. She’s a friend I treasure and adore. I am so lucky that the internet helped us be friends. We had the best time in San Diego {thanks Lenovo for sending us} and made many memories.

Without this blog I wouldn’t have such an amazing community. Thank you being here, reading, supporting and cheering me on. Thank you for sharing your lives with me as well. I am honoured that you choose to spend your precious time reading my words and looking at my photos. Thank you.

I’m looking forward to an amazing 2012. I put together a few words into a manifesto for what I want 2012 to look like. Here it is:

Wishing you a magical Christmas and a fab new year. I’ll be taking a break with my little family and returning in the new year.

What are you wishing for in 2012? What would you put on your list for a perfect 2012?

48 thoughts on “The year that almost wasn’t”

  3. Merry Christmas Chantelle. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful year. Your blog is still one I visit every day, a couple of years after I first stumbled on to it.
    Hope you and your gorgeous family have a beautiful Christmas.
    x Elise

  6. Without this blog I never would have discovered I had a melanoma. THANK YOU for saving my skin, literally x

  7. Thanks for not giving up – I love reading your blog !

    I also really like your New Year Manifesto 2012 – a great idea !!!!!

    Have a great Christmas and everything of the best for 2012.

    Love, hugs and positive energy.
    Me

  9. You know, you were one of the first blogs I ever got addicted to? Thank god you did not stop. You bring a smile to my face every time I visit. You are one of those rare, genuine souls. I hope to spend more time with you in 2012. xxx

  10. I'm so glad you didn't stop blogging. Yours was the VERY FIRST blog I ever read and it made me want to start my own! I love your manifesto too, such lovely things to strive for.

  11. Love your blog! Thank you for your commitment to it 🙂 May I ask where/how you make your word clouds? They are so lovely!

  15. Cheering you on from here, Telle. I'm so glad you stuck with it – you are one of the originals and still the best. I would miss your wonderful world immensely! x

  16. So glad your still around and to discover your blog this year, May you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and hoping all your 2012 dream come true
    xx

  18. Your's has always been my favourite, almost a go to and there's been many I time that I feel like you are writing just to me.
    Thank you so much for sticking around, I've had a lot of ups and downs over the past year as have you, and I'm glad you've shared it all. Am printing up your manifesto and sticking it in the front of my diary.
    Wishing you and yours a magical christmas and hears to a fantastic 2012.
    Much love
    Bel xx

  19. Sending you and yours love from London right now. I miss you so much! Your manifesto is much like you, beautiful through and through. I'm so grateful for your friendship and the adventures we've shared. Here's to many more next year xxxx

  26. Merry Christmas! Thank you for letting us be with you along the way this year through both your ups and downs. May 2012 be filled with all of your hopes & dreams. XX

  27. I only found your blog this year as I'm sure many others did and you have a large following of loyal readers which is a testimony to how good it is!

    It's nice to see dance on your list for 2012.

    Just to name a few, mine would include-

    MORE healthy eating, exercise, Mani-pedi's, reading, writing, dinner parties, living in the moment. De-cluttering,

    LESS worrying about what might not happen.

    Thanks for your time & all the things you share to make us feel better.

  28. I kno I'mnot the only one is s very relieved that you didn't stop blogging. That would've been terrible! Your blog is always so uplifting and lovely and a little bit of sunine in everyone's day.

    Love your manifesto. Happy festice season to you and looking forward to more Fat Mum Slim in the new year x

  29. I kno I'mnot the only one is s very relieved that you didn't stop blogging. That would've been terrible! Your blog is always so uplifting and lovely and a little bit of sunine in everyone's day.

    Love your manifesto. Happy festice season to you and looking forward to more Fat Mum Slim in the new year x

  30. Im glad your still here, you dont have to be every day or every other day, just when you feel like popping in to share your honest insightfulness and those yummy recipes 🙂 Wishing you and your fam all the best for 2012

  31. I'm where you were at a year ago now…I start fulltime work in January and am terrified of so many things and one is losing the blog. It was so heartening to see that you have kept at it despite pressure from all sides. I am about to try and do the same. Thanks for sharing, whenever it gets too much I will think of you and keep going. x

  32. I'm so glad you didn't stop blogging 🙂

    Your blog was the first I had ever read, the first I fell in love with, & the first to inspire me to start blogging myself.

    It's an incredibly generous, genuine, & supportive community this blogging community!

    Cherie xx

  33. You have inspired me :o) so many times I have thought about blogging but then ditched it, this time I'm going to give it a real go!!! 2012 for me is all about spending time with my two little ladies and making the most of life I'm 'Living life for Lilah' in 2012! It seems inspiration is everywhere I look I can't wait to make 2012 the best year for me, hubby and the 2 Z's!

  35. I absolutely love your manifesto for 2012. I have had a rough 4 months and seeing this makes me feel inspired. How did you do this?
    Looking forward to the photochallenge too!
    Happy New Year!

  37. Without your blog I wouldn't have made some beautiful friends I now have. Your community is lovely because you are a wonderful and loving person yourself. I so hope all those things you wish for happen for you chantelle and thank you for your generosity of spirit – now and throughout the time you've been blogging. Much love to you xxxx

  38. i actually just popped by just now from Laurens blog. I have just finished writing my list for 2012. Feel free to pop on over id love to meet you:) Have a great year!

  40. Just found your blog today, wow you have been blogging for ages! I am fairly new to it all well I have been blogging since June last year but I love it so much and even if I have no readers will still be blogging for a long long time (Mainly for my Joshykins)
    Cute Blog x x

  42. I love this. At first I was just looking at it going oh that's cute, something off Pinterest. Then I read your post and realised you made it and then I took the time to read everything within the image. I love them all. Live Gratefully. That's my favourite. Maybe along with Be Present and Breathe. Oh I love them all! I need these words.
    Thank you.

  45. I just discovered your blog and I'm glad I did! I love your manifesto! Discovered you also on Instagram – I'm a new follower :-))) You'll find me @rosiegrey if you'd also like to connect. Have a wonderful 2012!!!

  46. Happy New Year Chantelle! What an inspirational post. I am looking forward to a very peaceful 2012 – too much drama happened in 2011 and I want a quiet life. I love your blog so keep doin what your're doin!

Comments are closed.

Photo a day Privacy Policy Work with me

Copyright © 2023 Fat Mum Slim