At the beginning of the last decade Andy and I had been together for 7 months. I was working in a job I didn't particularly enjoy. I was renting a house, living alone except for two young cats - my first pets as an adult - Socks and Tinker.

It's been a period of change and growth, but the last few years of the decade have been tough. We've suffered loss, and I've struggled with the aftermath. But I'm healing and among the crappy memories, the memory of giggling with Andy in our darkest moments is one that still makes me smile, because we survived and we're stronger for it.

In the intervening years we moved in to our forever home and started on a long list of improvements, we got engaged and said our vows 99 days later.

I'm working freelance and don't miss the office politics one little bit. And I'm happy to say my two cats are still with me, waking me up far earlier than I'd like.

This blog was started in September 2010, and has been a place to reflect, share my thoughts and ideas, and I've made some wonderful friends because of it.

I visited Nairobi and fed giraffes, I flew to Zanzibar to watch my best friend get married.

We honeymooned in Zurich and Paris, and I slept under the stars in the Sahara.

I've gone to two college reunions.

I was part of a fundraising group who helped to raise £4.3M for a new cancer unit at our local hospital. And my fundraising continues on a smaller scale.

I was one of a small group of people who organised two world record attempts locally. We didn't become record breakers, but it really didn't matter in the end.

I tried, and failed, many times to get into running, but I have developed a love for yoga that I think will last a lifetime.

After years of drinking tea, strong but with a lot of milk, and no sugar, I've switched almost exclusively to green tea, but still consume several cups a day.

I've started a process of reducing plastic consumption as much as possible, and have changed my spending habits drastically.

I gave up on western medicine and dealt with my allergies using natural methods, ending a struggle with sinusitis that had plagued me for decades.

I discovered a haven in the form of my greenhouse, but have so far been unsuccessful in growing forget-me-nots. Spinach, chives, potatoes, tomatoes, and lettuce leaves are recurring produce.

And I've finally realised the importance of self care.

I'm hoping that the next decade will be one of growth, excitement and adventures.

Happy New Year everyone!