2021. What A year it has been.
It’s crazy to think that a year ago I started the best journey of my life. A journey of looking after myself mentally and trying to find my identity. Well it has certainly been a challenge, and one that I wouldn’t change for the world.
I can’t lie and say there’s not times that I wish I did more. Because there are times that I really do. But when I look back, I realise that even taking a step towards achieving a goal is a 1% improvement. And when I look at it that way, I realise actually how much I need to be proud of myself for improving. No matter the size.
At the start of the year, I had no idea what this journey would become. I didn’t set myself a specific goal of I need to complete this many goals, but I did say to myself I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and get to a better place finding myself. Well, I can say I’ve at least tried. There have been times that I’ve struggled and questioned what I was doing. But actually it helped me realise that I’m pushing myself and slowly growing some confidence. For far too long I had let myself push things to the side and let work be my main priority. Do I still do it? Yes, I’m not going to fib and say I don’t. There are still times that I pushed things back. But overall, no matter the size of the steps I took, I’m proud of myself. I realised in the past year that creating content is something I really enjoy. To push myself and share my experience with others. By the end of the year it really solidified for me that I want to continue this journey.
Looking back, I have to say I completed some exciting goals.
We started off by completing the ice bucket challenge, originally I had planned to do a dip in the sea. But with the world being the way it is with Covid-19 and January lockdowns, I just simply couldn’t risk it. I didn’t want to piss people off seeing as previous similar events just days before had been cancelled. So, to start off in a similar way, I dumped a bucket of ice on my head. Certainly woke me up, even if I was streaming.
After that I then created the NBLJ time capsule. A 13” stainless steel capsule for me to add souvenirs from my journey. For each goal I tackle, I want to add an item that will remind me or the memories I made. So far I have a couple from my completed goals in the capsule, but with my plans to now extend the journey, I will be continuing to add to the collection. Ready for the day I decide to look back at the journey and reminisce in what I have achieved.
What better way to add to my journey, than to finally complete a game? I mean I’ve been gaming for a ridiculous amount of years and yet I still haven’t gotten to the end credits. So after being given a game code for “Don’t be afraid” and my Twitch chat encouragement, I decided it’s time to tick this off my list. It probably wasn’t the best of games for me to complete, and a journey it certainly was through lots of screams and pauses. But I finally reached the end with the most brutal ending I could have expected. Only I could get the worst possible outcome out of a multiple scenario. I regret playing the game, because of how messed up the story was. But then it was also an experience to stick with a game and continue working through it until the end.
Then came the messy part. One of my absolute favourite times of the year. Pancake day. A day designed to making a mess, having a laugh and trying to avoid getting pancakes on the ceiling. Because yes, I have done this a few times. Well, I tried the first time round and I can say I failed… I truly truly failed. But then I wasn’t going to let some pancake mix beat me. Hell no was that happening. So to Amazon I went and more goodies I purchased ready to take on this challenge. Ready for a take two, I gave it another go and yeah. What a mess I made. But a fun mess, and a few awkwardly drawn pancakes. But let’s not speak of that. Let’s speak of the fun I had! It certainly was fun…
Now I think most people will say, they enjoy some form of art. Whether drawing or painting, I certainly do. And well what better opportunity than to take on the challenge of customising some AirPods and AirTags? Plus a phone as an extra? After seeing video after video on YouTube, and being someone who likes to get creative. I couldn’t help but do it myself. So I grabbed some Posca pens (Pens can be expensive!) and took to some creative art. Though I’ve not swapped phones. I love seeing the art on my AirTags and my AirPods. (Sadly the airpods is coming off). Maybe it’s time for a redo.
This one I never got a chance to blog about. I still need to but it’s not quite finished yet. You may see on my Not Bucket List Journey list that I have ticked off 24 hour stream. Well, that’s because it’s still a work in progress. Yes I completed my 24 hour stream, but it has so much more behind it. For you see the stream raised the funds for me to buy a new camera for a short film I am working on. It wasn’t easy, I can tell you that. I started off by waking up at the dreaded 7am. Even though I planned to start the stream at 2pm as a lot of my viewers are from the United States or Canada. So I was a little bit exhausted already but I pushed on and started at 2pm. I don’t want to give too much away because it’s still something I am working on, but I survived I can tell you that. Well obviously seeing as I am writing this, it wasn’t as bad as I thought. At the 11 hour mark is where I struggled. But after that I was fine and grateful for all the support from my friends to keep me going. At the end, I was overwhelmed by the love and support towards the stream and towards my short film. Something which I hope to share more with you shortly.
Then black Friday came around. The time that people are known for spending big as prices drop. This year I wasn’t expecting to spend any more than usual, but you know how that goes. You see, I have been watching Lost LeBlanc for a while. And I’ve been contemplating since the year before whether to purchase the Lost Creator Academy course. Where they teach you about creating content and running a business. I almost purchased it the year before and let it go, and again almost followed in the same footsteps this year. But after a last minute change of heart and bout of courage. I purchased the LCA course. Something that has already done so so much for me. I look forwards to sharing with you what I have learnt. Just the networking alone has been incredible. Interacting with like minded people and planning some exciting future projects.
Finally, to top off this year I hit a goal I have been working on for almost five years. Depending when you want to count the start date. I finished up this year by hitting 500 followers on Twitch. Starting it back in 2017, I can’t believe I finally hit 500. To have that many people like and enjoy my content? It’s just incredible and I can’t thank each and every one of the community enough. But more on that in a separate blog soon!
Seems like an exciting year right? I mean yes. It has been incredible, and there are times that I wish that I had done more. But like I said before, just looking back I realise how much I have achieved. Even things I had forgotten I did, thanks lovely memory of mine! Though saying that, it just proves that this journey I’m taking is working. That I am able to store the memories I make in forms of blogs and videos then return in the future to reflect on what I have achieved. It’s quite nice to actually read and watch through and be reminded of even the smallest of things.
2021 had been an emotional year that’s for sure. With starting this journey, battling through lockdowns, all the way to people reaching out and expressing their opinions of inspiration, and feedback. There’s just no words to truly express the feeling of hearing how people have come across my content and hearing how it’s inspired them. Yes I’m sharing this all online, and it’s well and truly out there in the public. I just never expected it to get the feedback it has. Because of this journey, I’ve had so many opportunities. To work with companies on products, or future agreements to share my work. And even setting up future plans to travel, take the adventure further around the world. Something which I can’t wait to share. These are all opportunities I didn’t see myself having just over a year ago. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you for spending the time watching, reading or glancing at any of my work.
Thank you to those who have sent emails and messages sharing their experiences from this journey and what it has done for them. Words cannot express how much it means to me, I hope you know that.
As for 2022. Well, its a new year and there are some exciting projects in the works. So look out for more exciting content coming your way.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Foxsley
Not Bucket List Journey 