Every year these posts get shorter and shorter because so much has happened in the space of one year that it becomes to much to document.
The best place to start is by making note of the incredible difference in my happiness since this time one year ago. 2017 was a difficult and challenging year but, it taught me so many lessons that I was able to take forward into 2018 that ultimately resulted in me being a better person all round, to myself and to others. Which is what I hoped for.
The year started off better, I moved to London, a place I’d hoped to return to for years prior. I partied, made mistakes, made friends. I moved to Shepherd’s Bush with four Australians who ran sofarsounds gigs from the living room. I went on 100s of tinder dates and was cruel to my body with alcohol and other unhealthy habits. Most of the first quarter of the year was spent being lazy at work, but gearing up for the opportunity of a lifetime, where I was able to go to California to interview for a game-changing career.
I arrived in California tired, after a delayed flight due to snow.. multiple cancellations and a night in a dodgy airport hotel in Philadelphia. I spent four weeks working long hours in sunny California, wondering what for. But learned a tonne about myself, my working style and the job itself. I left feeling exhausted but proud, I tried my hardest and will remember the feedback for years to come. NB. Angela saying I sounded like a California girl.
At this same time of craziness, I had started to talk a little more to a gorgeous girl. Conversations had actually begun on Christmas Eve of 2017.. but sliding into the DMs had as drunk calling each-other from California and me sending deliveries of food to her house in Coventry. When I returned from California we met up, and within weeks I found myself in that phase everyone talks about “falling in love”. I’m not sure I knew at the time that this encounter might just turn out to be one of the best parts of the year, and a big influence to my life.
A few weeks later while cycling through Clapham, lost after hanging out with my brother in tooting. I received a call from work saying that I’d done an awesome job and that they were happy to have me. Asking me to join a two year (minimum) program that would end up being a huge, life changing opportunity.
I could talk endlessly about where that job took me this year, but it’s very long and the job is time consuming enough. But I’ve taken countless countless flights, earned thousands of marriot points, gotten very drunk, saved A TONNE of money, cried a lot, but most importantly learned a lot. I’m extremely lucky to have this job, despite the long and exhausting hours. It took me from an average path to an amazing one. I spent four months living in Hotlanta, GA. I made some awesome new friends and started to learn things about my work, style, personality that I never would have had I not taken this opportunity. This job pushes you to your limits. They say, very low lows, and very high highs. And that couldn’t be more true.
A few months in, the next review came around and I waited apprehensively expecting to be sent to buckfuck. I wasn’t, they sent me to Asia to investigate compliance. This has been an amazing experience, I had an awesome team and manager, saw wonders of the world in Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand. Not only this but I was able to have my mum and brother join me for Christmas in Bangkok where we had the most amazing Christmas. From ladyboys to Louis Vuitton bags - you can’t beat Christmas in the sun for the Brett’s. Which is a huge improvement on every Christmas prior. Additionally, I found out I’m far more intelligent and capable than I really expected (all talk and no walk in the past) and I’ve finally started to understand my strengths and my differentiator.
During the good times, I had great homesickness. Falling in love and getting my dream job came with a tricky trade off.. my wanderlust fulfilled and my dreams of having a 10/10 gorgeous girlfriend.. meant being away from her a lot. However, the magic of being in love and finding my best friend made every long night and flight worth it. I can’t quite believe I’m driving to Birmingham to spend NYE with my friends and my girl, after having been in Asia just last week. Things can really turn around in just a year.
I could go on forever but I’m running out of time so I’m going to summarise all the great things that I’m thankful for this year and also some of the things I’ve learned that I’m taking into 2019 with me. Rosie, I’m thankful for you and everything you’ve done for me, I’m so thankful for the good times, i thought I was doing fine alone and better off, turns out I’m the better off and stronger in a pair with you. I can’t wait to watch you grow more and more, and I’m so proud of you for staying strong through everything you’ve been through this year. Let’s keep laughing and laughing, I know I’m not around all the time so I’m very thankful you put up with me and even more thankful you made that treck out to Atlanta to see me. Mum, dad, Matt, I’m thankful for you all and putting you in the same group this year because you’re being civil to one another and I’ve never felt happier with the relationship we’re building. In addition, thanks to my family for being 100% supportive of my life choices especially mum and dad for supporting my big gayness, welcoming Rosie and being there despite the stress of work. Work, thanks for taking chances on me, teaching me and paying my bills. Friends, thanks for supporting me through the good and the bad and being there at a drop of the hat when I return from my flights. Life; thanks for testing me, I promise next year I’ll look after you a bit more. Starting with my health. (But not tonight cause I’m definitely going to get a bit drunk). Next year I want to turn a good person into a great one, starting with teaching myself some control. (Let’s check up on this one next year - I really want to be able to say I achieved it).
Anyway: 2018 you’ve been 20-great-een. I hope 2019 is as good, if not better. I wish everyone a happy new year of good health, fortune and love. Dream big, be bold and learn.
(Some mems (not in order): sofarsounds, heaven, primrosiehill, Notting hill, Ravenscourt Park, phone dramas, San Francisco, cameron, Wayne, Amanda Doyle, coleypops, Shannon, MA Divestitures, st Simons island, the Marriott, Bangkok, executive lounges, Warwick, leamington spa, Hanoi, ya long bay, Faye, Mathilda, Meggy, Nike Air Force, the Christmas card, Phuket, swimming with elephants, heaven and Anne Marie, honne, rheanne and Jess, sex (a lot of it), TD M, IDS, Mr P, LV, The hands bridge, conference, San Ramon, Miss Jennifer, Phuc, Jack, Nashvillegate, Kesha, Macklemore, hoi an, JW Marriott, candor, menley Thanksgiving comments, kenilworth, xmas round 2, coming out to dad, ridiculous house parties, don’t touch your friends bfs crotch, puffer jackets, trainers, pad Thai, love island, buck head, Kareoke, atlanta, kiss cameras, Molly and Adam, Hanover east paces, Hannah Douglas, Tito and Michelle, when Shannon and Lauren tried to get you a week off, mum, pixel, Muay Thai, love, being in love, Shepherd’s Bush.. more and more and more.
snowghoul
pixelskylines
gamechangershow
2087
germansingergirl
vaporwave
theartofmadeline
