52. Did This Challenge Change You? | 52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

I can't believe it's been an entire year since I started this challenge! It's been so enlightening and self-actualizing to take the time every Sunday morning to reflect on an aspect of my life and express gratitude toward it.

I definitely feel as though this challenge has changed me. I found that I am grateful for aspects of my life that I don't normally express gratitude toward. My relationships have benefited greatly thanks to this challenge. I've realized how important all my friends and family are to me and I've been making a more conscious effort to tell them and to thank them for the role they play in my life.

Finding gratitude in every aspect in my life has allowed me to be a generally happier person. I realize how blessed I am- there is always something to be grateful for. 

I've become a lot more mindful throughout this process. I'm aware of all the amazing things in my life and how they make me feel. I have allowed myself to feel everything and have validated every emotion along the way. 

This challenge has had nothing but positive effects on my life and I would highly suggest everyone try it! It doesn't need to be on a public blog or anything. It can be in a little notebook or even just a mental process where you devote some time one day per week to reflect on that weeks topic of gratitude. I hope all of you will try this challenge. 

Today I'm grateful for the beautiful weather we are having! It's supposed to get up to 20 degrees Celsius today so my friends and I are heading downtown to take some pictures! 

What are you grateful for today? Let me know in a comment!

Thanks for reading & check back again to see what KatieDidd, xo

51. 100 Things to be Thankful For | 52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

1. Birds in flight

2. Peppermint tea

3. Great books

4. Receiving mail

5. Baking

6. Ice cold water

7. Sunny days

8. When the perfect song comes on shuffle

9. Rainbows

10. Movie nights

11. Fuzzy blankets

12. A new, blank notebook

13. Hand cream and chap stick

14. The number fourteen! (My fav)

15. Fairy lights

16. Running into an old friend unexpectedly

17. Mom's cooking

18. Holidays

19. Job security

20. Greek yogurt

21. Freedom

22. Casseroles

23. Lazy Sundays

24. Skype

25. Newborn babies

26. Grandparents

27. When your new shoes are finally broken in

28. Photography

29. Beach days

30. The Breakfast Club

31. Art

32. Hot showers

33. Thunderstorms

34. Payday

35. Good music

36. Yoga

37. Laughing until you cry

38. Hugs

39. Road trips

40. Fishing

41. Fresh herbs from the garden

42. Barbecues

43. Dancing

44. Fully charged batteries

45. Finding something you lost

46. Puddle jumping

47. Chocolate

48. YouTube

49. Long phone calls

50. Netflix

51. Afternoon naps

52. The first snow fall

53. Camp fires

54. Nail polish that doesn't chip

55. Alone time
56. Boat rides
57. Buying something that ends up being on sale
58. Warm buttered muffins

59. Good hair days
60. Ice cream
61. Stickers
62. Getting a good parking spot
63. White shoes that stay white
64. Diversity
65. Hiking

66. Weddings
67. Snow machining
68. A new tube of chap stick
69. Innuendos
70. Fresh sheets
71. Technology
72. Strong coffee
73. Education
74. Elderly couples

75. Summer vacation
76. Old photo albums
77. Health care
78. Vanilla cupcake candle from Yankee Candle
79. Finding shapes in clouds
80. Butterflies
81. Inspiration
82. Mindfulness and meditation
83. Good lighting when taking a photograph
84. Trying new food
85. When you make it to the bus stop just in time
86. That perfect first kiss
87. Walking barefoot on the beach

88. Nail polish that doesn't chip
89. Finding abandoned locations
90. Sibling bonds
91. Honest people
92. Pets
93. Belting out a song in the shower
94. Italian food
95. My birth year! (1995)
96. Ed Sheeran

97. The bond I have with my mom
98. Happiness
99. Family and friends
100. Love

There is always something to be grateful for <3

Thanks for reading & check back again to see what KatieDidd, xo

50. Lessons Learned This Year | 52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

This year has been so jam packed with change and new adventures. I really believe that I've grown up immensely with in the past year, from moving away to finding my passion in school and everything in between. I have learned some very valuable lessons within the past 50 weeks that I want to share with you all today.

1. Shame is a wasted emotion: at the end of the day feeling ashamed of yourself or what you love or anything else is such a waste. Be apologetically and authentically yourself always. People will judge no matter what but if you keep on doing what you love you take away their power. 

2. You will break down and you will build yourself back up: I've always been one to hold back my emotions and act as though I've got it all together when in reality I'm falling apart. I've learned that it's okay to call your mom in tears sometimes and it's okay to fall apart. The important thing is that you always put yourself back together. Don't stay down too long.

3. Family is always number one: whomever you consider your family, blood or otherwise, are the people that should always be your top priority. It's important to keep close ties with your family. I've learned the importance of having a great bond with family members.

4. Self love is never selfish: don't let anyone tell you that you are conceited or selfish for loving who you are. You are the most important person you will ever love.

5. Don't let people change you: it's easy to fall into the trap of social cliques. You become who you surround yourself with. Have enough faith in who you are and know every inch of yourself so you can remain steadfast to who you are. Always.

I hope you enjoyed reading through the lessons that I've learned this year. I feel like they are all lessons that everyone needs to learn and eventually do learn. They sound cliche, but that's because they're true!

If there are any valuable lessons you've learned please do share them in a comment!

Thanks for reading & check back again to see what KatieDidd, xo

49. Things You Like About Winter | 52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

I've never been able to choose a favourite season- I love them all for different reasons! I do really enjoy winter though. There seems to never be a dull moment. From the holidays to the outdoor activities, there's always something to do. 

Here is a list of the top 10 things I like about winter.

1. Snow machining

2. Footprints in the snow

3. Icicles

4. Hot chocolate & tea

5. Christmas

6. Baking season

7. Sweater weather

8. Watching the snow flakes fall

9. Cozy movie/game nights in with the family

10. When it's over

As much as I love winter, I'm always just as happy to see it go as I was to see it come. I'm so looking forward to spring and eventually Summer!

What do you love about winter? What is one thing you're looking forward to this summer? Let me know in a comment!

Thanks for reading & check back again to see what KatieDidd, xo

43. A Mentor/Teacher | 52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

Between school, sports, and theatre I've had plenty of teachers and mentors in my life- some amazing, and some.... not so amazing haha. It would be impossible for me to pick just one person that has helped to shape my life; that I am grateful for. Instead, I'm going to choose based on the categories I've laid out. 

Primary School

Between kindergarten and eighth grade, there is definitely a standout teacher that I feel had a profound impact on my life. Mrs. Bouliane taught me both second and third grade. She is who I thank when it comes to my passion for writing. We began creative writing in second grade and Mrs. Bouliane realized that I had a knack for it. Even once the activities for creative writing were finished, she still allowed me to submit my short stories to her for review. She understood how important it was for me to get my thoughts on paper and how important it was for someone to care about those thoughts. I still keep in touch with her today; she's an amazing teacher and woman.

High School

A rough time for me, that's for sure. My family encountered a life altering tragedy whilst I was in the eleventh grade. My anthro/psych/soc teacher was the one I confided in. She was so understanding and never treated my like I was broken. Mrs. Battocchio was a true blessing during this awful time in my life. While I was floundering to stay on track with school she went to all my other teachers and advocated for me. I owe my eleventh grade success to her; without Mrs. Battocchio I probably would have failed grade eleven. 

College

I've only been at Algonquin College for five months and already I can say, with conviction, that Mr. Bowie has been having the most impact on me thus far. Not only do I think he's an amazing teacher and knowledgable man. But he also cares about his students as if they were his own children. There have been multiple occasions where he has asked me how I'm doing. Not in school, but in life. He genuinely wants us all to succeed and to be happy, healthy, successful people.

Theatre

In any stage production, there isn't just one mentor. You've got the director, choreographer, vocal coach, etc. My stand out theatre mentor that I'm very grateful for is Nicole, my vocal coach. I was never confident enough to play a lead, I was happy to be an extra in the back row. When Nicole heard me sing she latched onto me and forced me out of my insecurities. I eventually found the stage to be my home. I took on numerous leads and would often "steal" the show (it wasn't hard because I was usually a character that provides comic relief ie. Glinda in Wicked and Timon in The Lion King). Not only am I grateful for the knowledge she gave me and the vocal training she bestowed one me, but I also owe any shred of confidence I have to Nicole.

Synchronized Swimming

I swam for ages; 13 years or so. Throughout that time I had a few different coaches as I progressed through the team levels, eventually being on the advanced senior team. Don't get me wrong, the coaches were great. But my main influencer/mentor was an older girl on the team, Megan. She was an amazing swimmer who was always willing to help me out. She is also so smart (in law school now) and a genuinely great person to be around. 

Photography

I've mentioned Brandon before in this post so I'll keep it brief. He introduced me to my passion for photography and taught me the basics. I can't thank him enough! 

Have you had a teacher or mentor that has had an impact on your life? Please do let me know in a comment!

Thanks for reading & check back to see what, KatieDidd, xo

42. Your Favourite Possession | 52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

My favourite possession would have to be my photographs- new and old; albums and hard drives. I love that every memory I have and every person I love is immortalized in photographs. You can look at an old picture and almost feel exactly how you did on the day it was captured. It's such a beautiful concept; nothing is truly gone as long as you have photographs.

What is your favourite possession- I'd love to know! I'm also curious to know if other people hold photographs in such a special place like I do! Please leave a comment.

Thanks for reading & check back to see what KatieDidd, xo