A year ago I fucked up an entire wall in my spare room, brainstorming what I could do to make the world a slightly better place. The only thing I could think of (that I might be any good at) was writing. So, I took a punt. I just figured that even if one person, out of the 7.5 billion people on this planet, could be positively impacted by something I wrote, then it’d be worth doing. So a year ago TODAY I posted my introduction and I set my stall out: About – Why am I even here?
I didn’t know what I was doing (I still don’t). I didn’t know if anyone would read what I wrote or even if I had anything worth saying. With the encouragement of two wonderful friends, Pia and Mark, I set about posting my thoughts for the world to see.
I’ve been reflecting on what’s happened over the last year and where that brainstorm has taken me and it’s pretty cool:
25th August 16
- Introductory blog posted
September 16
December 16
- Interview for Age UK Annual Review and Your Time magazine published about my experience volunteering
January 17
- Contacted The Lewis Foundation about volunteering opportunities (I now regularly volunteer for them)
- Contacted Macmillan about writing a guest blog (I’m now working on blog number 6)
February 17
- Contacted do-it.org about writing a guest blog (2 guest blogs since published: “Spread Positivity” and “I Don’t Have Time”)
March 17
- Travelled to India for 3 weeks (I am now writing a book about my experience)
April 17
- Nominated for a Spirit of Age Award for the volunteering I do for Age UK (I didn’t win but to be nominated was ridiculously amazing)
May 17
- Contacted The Happy Newspaper about writing an article for them
- Attended Eden Project’s Community Camp
- Sent initial letters to neighbours about a street party
- Helped create a Wonderwall of messages of support in Manchester with Emily Coxhead following the Manchester terrorist attacks
June 17
- Walked 10,000 steps a day to raise £250 for Cancer Research UK
July 17
- First ever article in print for The Happy Newspaper (EEEEEEEPPPPP!!!!)
August 17
- Street party takes place and is filmed by Eden Project
- Facebook Live interview with Ife Thomas about coping with grief and depression
Aside from the above, in the past year, I’ve written 32 blog posts for my website, volunteered, built up an online community, travelled to 8 countries and countless cities across the UK and managed (somehow) to hold down a full time job and maintain friendships. When I look at it like that, it’s no wonder I’m tired all the time!
The things listed above might all seem very small in isolation but it’s really proven to me how every action, no matter how small, can have a ripple effect that spreads far and wide. For example, If I hadn’t contacted the Lewis Foundation, I wouldn’t have learnt about and attended Eden’s community camp, where I wouldn’t have been inspired to arrange a “Big Lunch” (which bought 60 of my neighbours together). I wouldn’t have met my neighbour, Ife, who then invited me to talk on her facebook live broadcast about grief (which 500 people have now seen). That one action, wanting to volunteer for The Lewis Foundation, has had a positive impact on my life and other people’s, and that’s just based on what I can quantify. There are loads of connections and threads that have linked everything I’ve done with It’s Character Building. Some of which, I can clearly see the impact of, some of which, I may never know about.
Now I’m not writing this as a “Look at me, aren’t I a fucking hero” post. It’s more just as proof that we CAN all make a difference to the world. So much has been happening lately that makes us feel like the world has gone crazy but I want you to know that you aren’t helpless. Everything you’re doing is important and is shaping your life and the lives of those around you. It’s having profound and far reaching ripple effect that you may never know about.
It’s also reminded me to step back and take stock every now and then. I can’t believe what I’ve achieved in the last year. My words have reached thousands of people across 32 countries. I would never have believed that was possible 12 months ago. Have a think about what you’ve achieved this last year. It will be extraordinary, I promise you.
I’m not sure where the next 12 months will take me but I’m glad I started this positivity journey and I want to thank everyone who has been involved. Thank you for the lovely messages, the support, the likes, the shares, the inspiration, the motivation, all of it. While it’s not always been easy, it’s definitely been worth it. Here’s to Year 2 🙂
