Coming Around Again

I've seen a raft of people re-publishing their first ever blog posts, and reflecting on what's changed. But I'm not going to do that, because my first blog posts were, frankly, crap, and I actually went back and deleted some of them anyway. Instead, here are five things that have changed in the five years I've been writing this blog, and five things that haven't.

Ch-ch-ch-changes...

1) I'm no longer dreading Christmas. In fact, I'd actually go as far as to say that I'm looking forward to it. I'll still be on my own for the bulk of the day, but will be spending the evening and boxing day with RH. I'll be wearing my sparkly Christmas frock, and some rather special new underwear I got from Figleaves. I'm dubious about some of the gifts I have for RH, but I'm certain he'll enjoy unwrapping me.

2) I've moved down a completely new career path. It's been harder than I expected, and if I'd known just how hard, I don't think I'd have bothered. I hope to return to my original path again when (if?) the economy picks up.

3) I've put a lot of my old fears about relationships aside. Not all of them, mind, but a good amount. This is partly to do with having a bit more faith in myself, but mainly to do with RH having faith in me, and me in him. I'm loved, I love, and I love it.

4) I've embraced technology. Call me a late adapter, but it took me until this summer to get on board with Twitter, and until 2010 to have an iPhone. Better late than never, no?

5) My style's gone full circle. I now rarely wear trousers or jeans, and the largest section of my wardrobe is composed of dresses. Which is kind of how it was when I was at university, oddly enough.

Just the Way You Are

1) I am still living in the Cat House. When I bought it, I didn't expect to still be there almost 15 years on - I was a student when I became a homeowner - but one never knows.

2) My hair's gone from Louise Brooks-esque bob, to a jaunty crop, and now back to the bob again. It fell out when I first started this job (hence the crop), and I'm hoping that never happens again. It was awful.

3) I'm still over-spending, all the time. I am truly a weapon of massive consumption. I keep saying it has to stop, but I have no willpower.

4) Despite it being disgusting, anti-social, and dangerous, I still smoke.

5) I'm probably about a stone lighter than I was back in 2006, and even then I wasn't exactly huge, but I can't help fretting about my weight. I suspect this one will never change, regardless of what else happens. I need to keep reminding myself, a size 10 - a 12 on a bad day - is NOT fat, no matter what the media tells me.

Coming Around Again - Carly Simon