Skip to main content

2012 Reflections

Hmm, I honestly didn't think I'd post again before New Year, but I sat down to update my Facebook status like millions of others - to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and I realised I might actually have a lot to say!

So, I'm going to start with a gigantic thank you to everyone who has supported me over the past year. I know I said this at Christmas, but it sort of needs repeating. No words can possibly convey how much it means to have so many people backing me, and to have made so many amazing friends.

This is supposed to be a blog about writing, but when I think about all that's happened this year, there are many other things that stand out which made 2012 great. Moments with family, moments with friends, moments when I've been on my own and had sudden flashes of inspiration that hit me out of nowhere and made me view things differently.

But far and away the biggest change in my life happened when I was with Annalisa Crawford. Just after it happened, I wrote a blog post about it, but it felt so personal, I emailed it to Annalisa and never posted it. Now, I think I'm ready to share - not the whole thing, but the parts that are important and explain why that day was such a big deal.

Those of you who have been following me for a while will know about my battle with anxiety. I have only been out of the house on my own twice in the last ... maybe seven years. One of those times was at the beginning of December, when I set off to Plymouth to experience one of the most insane things of my life!

I was given two VIP tickets to see Fozzy as a birthday present, and after sifting through the choices of people to take with me, Annalisa was both the most obvious, and the person I knew I'd have the most fun with. Lucky for me, she was more than happy to accept and accompany me on my adventure! The problem? I had to actually get to Annalisa's on the train, alone, and spend a night in a hotel alone. I went through every single feeling you can possibly have during the week leading up to the journey. I was excited, terrified, calm, didn't want to go, desperate to get on with it, and so, so tired from not sleeping. When the day arrived, everything was okay. I got nervous once or twice on the way but I had to keep focusing on the reason. FOZZY! My chance to not only see them live, but to have dinner with them! The idea of meeting them made me both hyper and slightly nauseous. What if I made a total idiot of myself? Meeting someone you've always wanted to meet is the scariest thing, because there was also the fear that they might not live up to my expectations. (They totally did, btw!)

See entertainment blog for what happened at the gig! 

This blog post doesn't do justice to the level of fear I felt when I first got on the train to begin my journey. And maybe it's a bit fan-girly to say that I did it because I really wanted to see Fozzy, but it is what it is. I HAD to get out of my rut to see the band who have, in one way or another, meant a lot to me since I first heard of them several years ago.

Not a single second of this trip would have been possible without Annalisa. It takes a lot of patience to hang out with someone with anxiety. It's not easy, and it can be kind of exhausting.But Annalisa did everything as if we've known each other for years. She knew when I really needed to get out, and when I was just a bit wibbly. So, thank you so much, Annalisa, for being part of my adventure, and for making it so easy and the most fun I've had in ages. *hugs*

The point of this epic ramble is that that day, I learned quite a lot about myself. Mostly that when something really, really matters to me, I can step up and get it done. Of course, getting it done is always so much better when you have a little help from your friends. :D

So, on that note, I'm going to wish you all a Happy New Year, and best wishes for 2013. May it be a year filled with love, happiness and success! Whatever you're doing tonight, have fun and stay safe!

Comments

  1. Kyra, I think that's the same with all of us - if it really matters, we find a way. You found a way and stretched yourself.
    I have a friend who is bi-polar and suffers from extreme anxiety, so I do understand, or as much as someone can.
    Hope 2013 holds bigger and better things for you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Aw Kyra, thank you. I think it's fair to say that without you I'd never have eaten dinner with not one but two heavy metal bands (Soil were lovely guys too) - so for me it was just as much about doing something new and different. Looking forward to lots more adventures with you xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup, two rock bands in one night was pretty special! I cannot WAIT to get back out and have more adventures with you!

      Delete
  3. I think this year has been a milestone for you in so many ways, Kyra. I have enjoyed getting to know you through this wonderful blogoshere. I have finally managed to read 'Game On' over Christmas and enjoyed it very much.

    Here's to 2013 and all the adventures it may bring. Happy New Year :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It has been a pleasure getting to know you, too! I'm so happy you enjoyed Game On!

      Happy New Year!

      Delete
  4. Kyra, that sounds amazing. You did so well. Wishing you so many good things for 2013.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow,.you've had such am amazing year with so many accomplishments and this one goes straight to the top. Glad to hear you were able to overcome

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm so glad you had such a great year. Wishing you much success in 2013!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kyra, that was so brave, I don't even have words. And just so as you know, 2013 is going to rock.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hee hee, thanks Rena! I am looking forward to much more rocking out this year!

      Delete
  8. That's brilliant, Kyra - what an achievement for you! Keep it up - and keep up the writing - can we have more Radley???

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks!

      There will be more Radleigh later this year, hopefully! ;)

      Delete
  9. That's great Kyra! Happy New Year to you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Do you watch Showtime's Shameless? There's a character on that show you might be able to identify with. I hope that 2013 brings you many happy thoughts and fulfills many dreams. *hugs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never seen Shameless, though I keep meaning to!

      Happy New Year to you too, Michael! *hugs*

      Delete
  11. That's awesome! Friends do make the difference, and you can be surprised at the strength you find in yourself. I have bad social anxiety, and I didn't think I'd be able to do the things I need to do for my son, especially with him starting school this year. But for him, I did it and surprised myself that I didn't panic. (At least not in public!)

    That's a fantastic note to end this year and start a new one. Happy 2013!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is something magical about children that means you'll always step up and do what needs to be done for them, even if it does make you nervous! Sounds like you had to overcome a lot too!

      I hope this is the start of another wonderful year for you!

      Delete
  12. Happy New Year to you too! Look foward to seeing more in the Game On series!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Suzi! I hope it won't be too long before I can get back to it! :D

      Delete
  13. Wow. That's a really great story. The power of friendship and inspiration combined can do a lot of great things!! I hope 2013 brings less anxiety, more adventures, and more friendships your way. Happy New Years!

    ReplyDelete
  14. How amazing and brave for you to face your anxiety like that. It must have been really scary to take a chance like that...I hope you take many more in the new year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Rebecca! It was a massive step, so hopefully I can keep building on that!

      Delete
  15. It's always encouraging when people push themselves to do the courageous. Without fear (or anxiety) there could be no courage. With courage, yesterday's challenge is today's success. Have a great New Year, Kyra.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wise words, indeed! Thanks, Jeff and Happy New Year to you, too! :D

      Delete
  16. That was an inspiring post. It's always hard to go outside your comfort zone, no matter what that is. Happy New Year, Kyra! 2013 is going to be legen-wait for it-dary! Legendary!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hee hee, thank you Michael! Happy New Year!

      Delete
  17. You're an awesome, brave lady to face your fears and to share them with the world. I have a very dear friend who has an anxiety disorder. She keeps facing her fears and she is getting bolder and bolder every year. Baby steps and good friends can get you anywhere you need to go!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So true! Anxiety is so hard to get a grip on, but those little steps make all the difference!

      Delete
  18. That's wonderful that you overcame your anxiety in order to spend time with a friend and do something that was important to you. Good for you!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Happy New Year, Kyra! I'm so glad you took that chance and trusted friends to help you through. Sounds like you had a blast!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I really did have an amazing time! Happy New Year, Nicole!

      Delete
  20. Oh my gosh, rock on!!

    I have friends in New York City who every year ask me to go to see the ball drop on New Year's Eve in Times Square, but there is NO way I could ever go stand there and get squished by a billion people and NOT freak out, bad. But I do force myself, from time to time, to stretch beyond my comfort zone to do something I would normally say HELL TO THE NO to. LOL

    What an amazing journey you've been on and how far you have come is just brilliant and so inspiring! xo

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

IWSG: Performance anxiety

Welcome to the August edition of IWSG, hosted by the amazing Alex J.Cavanaugh ! So, as most of you know by now - because I haven't shut up about it LOL - my first novel, Game On, has been released. The blog tour officially starts next week (YAY!) but I find myself becoming increasingly nervous. A blog tour not only highlights my book, but me. What if people don't like me? What if my guest posts suck, and everyone thinks I'm boring? If I can't engage people in 300 words on a blog, they probably aren't going to pick up my book. And then there's the "what happens next" question. I plan to make Game On into a series, which feels a bit arrogant of me. I don't know how many people are going to like the first book, should I really be planning to keep the series going? So far, Game On has actually been incredibly well received. I've had great reviews, so maybe I shouldn't worry about people not liking it, but what if Book Two isn't as goo

If I Let You Go Cover Reveal & Bloghop Signup

I am SO freaking excited to share this with you!! Even though I only announced the cover reveal last week, it's felt like it's taken years to get to today! I would like to FINALLY reveal the cover for my first novella, If I Let You Go: Title: If I Let You Go (Novella) Category : New Adult (NA) Genre : Contemporary Romance Release Date : October 22 nd 2012 Synopsis: Madison Connor is about to lose it. Her job, that is. For three years, she’s taken care of Dominic Hartley’s five year old daughter, Tilly, but her world is flipped on its head when Dominic tells her his latest promotion is taking him to New York. With Tilly having a meltdown over the move, Madison and Dominic get into a fight that changes the entire nature of their relationship, causing Madison to ask herself a big question. Can she let him go? EEK! SO, whaddya think? :D Annnnd there's more! As I'm not doing a blog tour for this release, I still felt like I needed to