The Best of 2006

So, there's a blog challenge going on at DigiScrapShak - and this week it's a Best of 2006 challenge.

Here's mine:

Does it seem odd that I've chosen a picture of myself? Well, never let it be said that I do what's expected of me! I've chosen this picture over all the others I've taken this year, because this is my defining moment, this is what made 2006 MY year.

This pic was taken on 1st April - yep, that's right, April Fool's Day. A few weeks before, I'd had a conversation with my friend Neil, where he basically said that all I was, was a big pair of tits with a big gob on top! Gotta love him, he has such a delicate turn of phrase - but he knows me better than almost anyone, and hence he can get away with saying such things. Then someone at work said something to me that made me take a good look at myself and see how other people see me ... and the two comments coming so close together sparked change. So, 1st April saw me tripping off to the hairdressers for a new cut and some highlights, and this is one of the pics that Colin took of me that day.

The new 'do was the start of a more confident me ... for weeks and weeks afterwards I had so many positive comments and compliments from people at work (and I'm STILL getting the comments) ... I can't deny it, it made me feel so good about myself, and added to the compliments on my weight loss it's been wonderful. And it's true, I DO feel more confident. The pre-April Kate would have bought clothes just because they fit, but the post-April Kate buys stuff because it's NICE and she knows it's going to look good.

In some ways, I feel like this was the rebirth of the real Kate ... there's less of the unhappy, depressed Kate than there used to be, and more of the Kate that there once was. Since April, so many positive things have happened to me:

1 So many compliments and positive comments from friends and colleagues - even people at work who I see around but have never actually spoken to have come up and complimented me on my weight loss.
2 I've spent lots of money on new make-up - that's not necessarily positive for my bank balance, but it does mean that I'm taking better care of how I look, and I'm looking better.
3 I've spent LOADS of money on new clothes ... mainly from Ebay, so I'm getting more for my money ... but I have a wardrobe full of trendy clothes, all in smaller sizes than I was wearing this time last year!
4 I did the Cancer Research Race for Life - a 5 km sponsored walk, and raised over £500 - I wouldn't have had the confidence to do that before - I did it by myself!
5 I took up digiscrapping and ditched paper!
6 I've developed close friendships with some lovely colleagues, and have got to know other colleagues better (my friends have commented on how I used to scuttle up the corridor and not talk to anyone, but now I stop and chat with anyone and everyone).
7 I closed down Scrapbook Mad (believe me, that was INCREDIBLY positive!)
8 I don't think I'm as depressed as I have been.
9 I've had the confidence and courage to actually GO OUT! Sounds daft, I know, but up until the last few months I hadn't actually been out in town for more years than I care to remember. I have avoided countless chances to go out because I just couldn't cope with the concept of being out after dark (how sad am I!)
10 I got onto 4 CTs!

Really, that list is just a drop in the ocean. I could honestly cry when I think of how far I have come in such a short time. I feel like my world is rocking at the moment, and now it's time for me to concentrate on ME!

What can I say, but what a great challenge!