Happy new year to all of you. But before we get started on the new year, let’s take a quick look back at 2016. 2016 was a weird year for me, maybe a weird year in general. It started with my first “big girl” job, then came graduation, and then my “adulthood” began. I realized somewhere in midst of 2016 that I blinked and all of a sudden I was an adult. It was like the past four years of college happened all in one blink. That’s when I decided I was going to take control time (not really) but I was going to force myself to spend my time wisely and do things I have always wanted to do, but just never got around to doing them. And that’s when Layla Living began.
Now… we can be honest. I haven’t exactly documented my life online as I thought I would in this blog. I don’t want to be one of those… say you’re gonna do it, then halfway do it kind of person. However, that’s what this blog turned into. I’m not sure why… maybe it’s because this blog has no niche. I have read articles upon articles about how to create a “successful” blog and the first suggestion was always to “find your niche”. Well, I don’t have one. I just like to live… and do fun shit along the way. Hence the name, Layla Living. I’m just here living, and you can choose to follow me on this ride if you’d like.
So let’s recap…
Remember my first post? Before the Year Ends Challenge.
Below are the fifteen things I said I was going to do before the year ended. The ones crossed out are the ones I actually completed.
1. Visit all Zoos within a drive of Cincinnati with my mama
2. Donate Blood
This was a fun experience. It was not as painful or stressful as I thought it would be. It is nice to know there is such an easy way to help others. If you are in Cincinnati, check out Hoxworth UC and learn more about how to donate.
3. Go Skydiving
4. See the ocean (I have only been to the beach once in my life)
Girl’s weekend! A friend and I planned an impromptu trip to LA for a weekend in November. One of the most exciting and fun adventures I have been on. I am not sure if I had done it, if this list hadn’t been made.
5. Take a riding class
Let me say first, I am absolutely terrified of horses. So riding one? It was a big deal… however, I would do it again in a heartbeat. We went to Nation Road Horse Rentals in Miami, OH during the fall. It was a wonderful ride.
6. Read a few books from Buzzfeed’s “65 Books You Need To Read In Your 20s” (I watch too much television)
Well… I crossed this one off because I read two. I read Tuesdays with Morrie and The Alchemist. Two wonderful books… I’ll come back once I have read a few more. 🙂
7. Go to a drive-in
Two movies for the price of one, bring your own snacks and drinks. We went to Starlite Drive-in during Halloween season for two scary movies. People were walking around in costumes trying to scare others. It made the experience that much more enjoyable.
8. Spend a weekend in Chicago
9. Go camping with my gal pals
10. Have a massive water balloon fight (I’m looking at you Nardians)
This happened… I promise. About ten of us. It was documented on Snapchat before Snapchat had the memories function. 🙁
11. Milk a cow
12. Stand under a waterfall
My boyfriend and I spent a day in Hocking Hills. Not only did we Zipline through the woods, we also saw some amazing cliffs and waterfalls. It was pretty cold and people thought I was crazy for doing it, but “do it for the blog!” 😉
13. Go a week without any makeup (seems easy for most, but I live in mascara)
Surprisingly enough, I went a few weeks without wearing any makeup. I did not document it, but I can tell you this… I saw no difference in my skin. Which is not what I expected. I expected angel skin after letting it breathe… but nope, just normal, dry and freckly Layla skin.
14. Unplug for a week (excluding work of course)
15. Go stargazing
I would say 8/15 is not such a horrible score. I am hoping to mark off the rest of these this year. I will report back! Hopefully with much more detail (I’m buying a GoPro). 🙂
Did you cross anything off of your bucket list in 2016? Comment below!
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