Hello friends!
I hope that the Christmas season has treated you well, and that even if you don’t celebrate the festival, you have enjoyed the long weekend break. It is a good time to get together with family or friends, or better yet, to stay home and recharge.
A brand new year is around the corner, and I had high hopes of being right here, talking to you about beauty and pretty things till the year end. But as they say, Man proposes but God disposes. Something personal has come up and I’d like to just take a little time to myself for now. I’d like to leave you instead with a bit of year-end musing on 2016.
Is there a thing as a “really bad year”? I suppose there isn’t. If it’s a bad year for me, I’m sure it’s an amazing year for someone else. The universe finds its equilibrium that way.
When I looked back on 2015, I looked back on a very tumultuous year. 2016 wasn’t too different. For me, it’s been a year of drastic change and eventually acceptance. I spent the most part of the year with a cold lump of resentment festering in my chest. WHY ME?! It’s never a question you should ask yourself. I spent a lot of time brooding and nurturing the ugly whispers of negativity within my soul. I wasn’t happy.
But as the year started drawing to a close, I decided to face the ugliness and beat it back. I could withdraw, and let it take over, or I could fight back, and regain some modicum of personal peace. I could allow someone else to dictate my own happiness, or I could make my own happiness. I could ask WHY ME? or I could ask WHAT CAN I DO TO STAY HAPPY? and do it. I remembered what I told myself at the start of 2016, and as the year was ending, I finally found acceptance to put it into action.
An ugly person left an ugly comment on that 2015 post that I’ve never published, but never deleted. I keep it as a reminder that this ugly person exists as a thorn in my side, who has so little joy in their life that they feel the need to pull others into their cesspit. It’s a reminder that I am so much better than that person wallowing in their cesspit, trying to get their claws in me.
There were many things I had to accept even if I did not want to. But there were also many things I could and should change, both about myself and about everything around me. You just need to WANT that change.
I know I kick-ass. I just have to keep telling myself that I do, and that I should go out there and continue to kick ass. I may not be the sleekest superhero in a slinky catsuit (I’d need some serious Spanx and corsetry) but hell, I’m good at what I do.
And you know what? So are you.
To everyone who’s had a challenging year, take heart. The year is almost over, and a new one dawns soon. You choose your own path – always remember that. No one can choose it for you. Even if you don’t pick a rose-strewn path, try not to pick the path that’s full of brambles; or if you do, be like me – arm yourself with a parang and hack away till you see a path open up before you – sometimes, we just have to do what we have to, to clear our paths and find our own happiness 🙂
Thank you for being with me in 2016, and for giving me a reason to keep blogging. The thing about blogging, that’s so different from any other form of social media is this – YOU. The readers who read, leave a comment and talk to you, and share their stories. Instagram and Facebook can kiss my ass because I’m not going to throw money down the drain to build the numbers to fool people. I want to invest that in MY blog. Every comment you leave here on my blog is an affirmation of my conviction that I’m doing the right thing, and an affirmation of why I should keep on blogging. I bloody well kick-ass at it too! 😉
For the first time in recent years, I can confidently tell you that I am looking forward to being back here at My Women Stuff in 2017, and I hope you will be back with me then too for another ride 🙂
Happy New Year, my friends!
xoxo
Paris B
Heartfelt post indeed. I can relate to your post as my year has been a rather tumultuous one as well. But learning to deal with it rather than let the bitterness eat me up. Wishing you a happy happy new year and a well deserved break.
Thank you Santhi and it looks like 2016 was quite a year for many of us. I hope the new year brings you more joy and happiness and sweetens the bitterness of the past year 🙂
Hey Paris. 2016 has been year of ups and downs for us as well. Quite revelatory in many aspects and of course we survived. Everyone survives so cheers to the human spirit. How we continue thereafter is a different story. And, your attitude is inspiring 🙂 may 2017 be a beautiful year for you. And, happy new year. Have a blast. I would say take very good care of your health. Don’t take it for granted.
Haha cheers to the human spirit indeed! Yes, no matter how hard it feels, we will eventually pull through, but not without a lot of support! I hope this year will be a better one for you and thank you for the well wishes. I wish you joy and good health as well because we should never take either for granted!
Paris has got her groove back! Lovely pep talk which I really needed as 2016 has not been too kind to me. I’m looking forward to reading more reviews and insights this coming new year. Now, excuse me while I sharpen my parang. 🙂
Just a little groove and lucky it’s not a rut! hehe.. I’m so sorry to hear that 2016 was a bad year for you, but I do hope that it is somehow able to be placed in the past (not everything can be, I fully understand that!) but we do have to look forward to the future, and that’s what a new year is for – new hope! 🙂 Now go hack at those brambles! I’m hacking away as we speak 😀
Jia you parisb! Keep smiling keep blogging keep your head up! Hugssssss
Thank you, with your support and being plied with lots of drink, I’ll try! 😀
Love this! This is why I’m a fan of your blog; you prod me to reflect.
I totally agree about the difference in attitude reflected in the questions “Why me?” And “What can I do to stay happy?” I’ll strive for the latter from now on.
Look forward to reading your blog next year!
Thank you Kuri. I try not to get too reflective, but the year end usually calls for it 😀 Let’s all strive to stay happy – it’s the best we can do to keep ourselves going! Happy New Year!
Thank you for this. I also have a huge lump of resentment festering in my heart. I working on it.
Some things are hard to just let go. It’s always easier said than done. Work on it a little bit at a time. I can’t say I’m through and have no more resentment, but I’m trying to take the higher road. Good luck Iza!
keep on kicking ass (figuratively of course) Paris!
thank you for your wonderful reviews and insight of that 2016, I really look forward to an exciting 2017 here. An early wish would do no harm, so, Happy New Year!
Oh Aishah, I’d kick ass LITERALLY, if I could! haha 😀 Thank you so much for the well wishes and for reading my blog. I hope you have an amazing 2017 😀
Reading this and waiting for new year challenges that my family have to face next year is so inspiring. We hope we’ll have the streangth and health to cope up with the new surroundings and new people and new schedule. It sure will be a hectic one. Happy new year to you pb. Keep up the bogging world,i know i will keep on reading.
Hi Wan, I wish you all the very best this 2017 and that you manage to surmount all the challenges you will face. Always remember to keep your head up! 🙂 Thank you for your support for the blog through the years
2016 has been quite kind to me but just as it is drawing to a close, I find out something that has left me feeling a bit disappointed and hurt. BUT I’m very much looking forward to putting it behind me as I join my parents with my brother’s family (they are the best people to be with!) in Melbourne for 3 weeks. And when I get back, I hope to have shaken off the negativity and be ready to love myself a little more and kick some ass too. 🙂
I’m sorry that 2016 closed off on a sour note for you Yu Ming 🙁 But I hope Australia was good to you and that you managed to put things behind you and enjoy the break! Be sure to come back with your ass-kicking boots on! 😀
Looking forward to take a good ride with you in 2017! Thank you and happy new year !
Thank you Alyssa! Happy New Year and I hope 2017 will be good to you! 😀
YES. Paris, you are amazing just as you are. I love your outlook and your determination to face life head-on. Every time I read a blog post or see one of your lovely photos on Instagram, I’m reminded what genuine beauty looks like. Keep doing you! Here’s to a great 2017.
Thank you so much Sarah and I’m so happy we’ve actually had the opportunity to meet! I mean, what were the odds of that happening right? But it did and for that, hurrah! 😀 Thank you for reading and supporting through the years and I wish you an amazing 2017 ahead – it has to be! 🙂
“thank you 2016 for letting me learn new lessons everyday, removing the toxic people from my life and making me grow as a person”
Just read that on my FB. Aaaah hits right to the heart. Let’s all cheers to 2016 & a brand new 2017. Let’s write it the way we want & be our own superhero! 🙂
I can’t say that the toxic people are removed from my life, but yes, let’s lance that boil! I hope 2017 will be an amazing year for you! 🙂
Thank you for sharing, and please continue doing what you do!
Happy New Year 🙂
Thank you and happy new year to you too!
What an inspiring post, Paris! 2016 hasn’t been very kind to me either, but I agree with you. We should accept what’s happening and look for ways to improve our situation rather than let anger and resentment fester in our hearts. Here’s to a brand new year! May 2017 be full of joy, love and health!
Hi Gio, lovely to hear from you again! It looks like 2016 was very challenging for many of us, but on the bright side, we now know we can surmount those challenges and to grow as people. I hope 2017 will be a beautiful one for you and that you continue to grow and flourish in London! 🙂
Happy New Year! I love your honest and witty writing. Thanks for always recommending new, cool beauty brands (I purhased the Hylamide Black Friday set after reading about the brand here). I think your blog would be just as interesting if you wrote about other aspects of your life, not only on beauty related matters. Hehe, busybody here 🙂
Hi Lily, thank you so much for reading and for sharing your thoughts. I’m glad you’ve managed to find products to enjoy using, as much as I’ve enjoyed discovering them! 😀 Thank you too for the suggestion to branch out to other topics. I used to be a little more open, but I’m at heart a very private person so I don’t share a lot about other more personal things, unlike many other bloggers I know. I do try to slip in the occasional non-beauty post where I can, but thank you for suggesting it nonetheless! 🙂
keep fighting!! for us both!
I lost my job in June and had no luck in securing the next until mid November. And.. pockets are dry la, and with CNY all coming up. Chin up, I say to me. Next year, I hope is a better year.
All the best to us! And keep writing!
Shannen, I’m so sorry to hear that you lost your job but relieved that you’ve found another! I can imagine that things would be hard on the wallet, especially in these very trying financial times. I realise how much of a burden CNY can be for everyone, so do take things slow and steady and I wish only the very best for you in this coming year with its new challenges. Happy new Year and thank you always for all the support!
All the best PB. Keep your spirits up. No matter what a new year itself is hope to start afresh, whether literally or a renewal of spirit. The best armoury we can have is hope in ourselves and the spirit of perseverance.
Gambatte! Hwaiting!
Thank you Peiqing! You are right. It’s so cliched to want a new start at the beginning of a new year, but hey, that’s as good a place to start as any! I hope this year brings you lots of joy and happiness as well, and that we all get through this unscathed! 🙂
Happy New Year Paris, hope 2017 is a better year for you, me and everyone out there.
Thank you Kiran and my wish for you is that 2017 will be a happier year with success in everything you choose to do! 😀
You had me choking at “parang” ??
Always a joy to read your frank reviews and beauty advice.
This was a milestone year for me – turning 40 – wrinkles lumps and all.
I learnt that live is really too short so anytime I feel like red lipstick I’m gonna rock it like no tomorrow – nobody should judge us and I shall try not to judge other’s as well. Pls write away and entertain us !!
As the last hours of 2016 ticks away – I wish you all the very best and in the words of the late Maya Angelou “I wish you enough”
Haha oh yes, you need a parang to hack at the thorny branches to clear your path! 😀 Congratulations on turning 40 and joining the alumni haha! I can safely tell you that 40 is the new 30, for by now, you’d realise that you’re old enough to tell off those who need telling off, and to forge your own path, however you want to do it! Oh yes, and always rock that red lipstick because hey, life is short and we need to look good every day! 😀 Thank you so much for the well wishes and I wish you all the best that 2017 has to offer, with lots of joy, happiness, love and laughter thrown in for good measure. May it be a wonderful year for you!
Hi Paris, thanks for your post. 2016 was a stressful year for me in a way and like you, I wasn’t happy most of the time. These past few days, I too was pondering on how to make things better cos I refuse to let myself continue feeling this way for 2017. I’m not one for resolutions either but I realised there are some things I just need to change in order to embrace positivity and happiness.
Here’s wishing you a Very Happy New Year and may 2017 be good to all!
Hi Polly, I’m sorry to hear that 2016 was a bad year for you, but take heart. We’re in a new year now and it’s time for new beginnings! As trite as it sounds, at least it’s a start right? You’re already on the right track – recognizing the problem. Now, to treat it! I’ve got a post today that might put on you some sort of track, because it helped me, and I just had to share 🙂 I hope 2017 will be an amazing one for you, any way you choose it to be!