21 years of being alive, almost.

So i turn 21 tomorrow. How does that feel? It feels okay i guess. Its funny, i remember being at school, when i was about 13, talking to my best friend Liam, making pacts that if we both weren't in relationships by now we would get together. Luckily I'm in a relationship and he's gay now. That would have been awkward. This last year feels like it has flown past. I'd like to say its because time flies when you re having fun. Sadly not though, as you may have seen in a previous post i lost my mum just before my 20th birthday. Since then the days have been blending into months and before i knew it I'm a year older. The surrealness of the situation has left me wondering where the time went, but thankful that I'm feeling better. It has been a year of growing up, hugely. The sad comes with the happy. I may have lost my mother but i have found a new sense of purpose and gratitude for those in my life. One thing that has really given me something to look forward to is that my friend Rachel fell pregnant around, well, 9 months ago actually. She is about to pop and i couldn't be more excited. I know it sounds stupid and I'm really not a spiritual person, but it feels like my mums life wasn't lost in vein. Someone else is coming, which is quite comforting. My holiday to Italy really helped me feel at peace also. I felt totally free and without worries. I didn't have to care what time it was or think about work. All i had to do was adventure the astoundingly beautiful city of Venice and enjoy every second of it. I didn't care about sticking to my diet, saving my money or keeping to the beaten track. I got lost and always found my way back. The warm city felt safe. The bridges and winding alleys felt like a home i had never been to before. That trip has really ignited a wanderlust in me. This year i have progressed so much in my illustrating and I'm so grateful for all the work i have got. I have had so many great opportunities and exciting offers. Where i would have been stuck in complacency and not been bothered before, I'm grabbing onto each opportunity now and seeing where it takes me. 21 is going to be good, its going to be a year that sees me create amazing things and grow as an artist. It will be a fun and i cant wait to share it with you all. Now here is a picture of me looking deep and contemplative.