For me, 2014 has gone by ridiculously quickly. It has been a complete blur and I feel like I've missed half the year. Superficially I haven't grown a noticeable amount and if you didn't know who I truly was it wouldn't be clear that I've changed at all, but internally I feel as though I am an entirely different person. There have been very few times (maybe none) where I have felt like a new version of myself, where the things that I used to think were important or significant no longer matter, the outlook that I now have is a lot more mature and less self-centred and I have strived throughout the year (and will continue throughout 2015) to create a new identity (this isn't because I'm trying to hide from anything or anyone or because I didn't like who I used to be but more because I have realised I need to start growing up and begin figuring out who I would like to be).

Here is what I have learnt throughout 2014: 

1. It's okay to spend a lot of time trying to figure out who you are and what you want in life. And to be completely honest, you'll probably never completely figure out who you are and what you want. 
2. Don't expect to achieve goals without first putting in numerous amounts of effort. 
3. Never get too comfortable with the way your life is going. Life is about change, don't fight it. 
4. This kind of goes with #3. It's okay to have goals for the future but don't expect they will always happen. No one truly knows what's going to happen tomorrow, let alone five years from now. 
5. Time is limited. I briefly spoke about this in my recent review of The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom but over the past year I've learnt that you truly need to enjoy every moment that you have. Whether it be a good time or a bad one it is really important to live in that moment. 
6. I know I can't really comment on this because I am still only young but I've learnt that you are only young once and you truly need to savour these moments. I've realised I need to do things on my bucket list, travel, explore and do whatever I feel like doing (within reason) while I'm still young. I don't want to look back and regret not doing something 
7. Treat others how you would like to be treated. This is quite a simple one but many people (myself included) often forget about it. Take responsibility for yourself, your actions and your feelings and ensure they don't negatively affect others. 
8. Relationships are hard. This isn't just romantic relationships but friend and family relationships as well. It's important to stay in touch with the people you really care about and the people who really care about you. 
9. This is one that in the last few months has been really prevalent for me. Take every chance you get. Life is all about taking new chances and opportunities and not being afraid to take risks and try something new. 
10. Be comfortable in your own skin. Whatever your gender, sexuality, skin colour or beliefs be comfortable with who you are. Don't try to "conform" to pathetic societal expectations. 
11. Make mistakes. You don't learn anything new but not making mistakes - grow, learn, make mistakes. 
12. Maturity is not measured by age but by the way you handle what life throws at you. 
13. Standing up for myself. I've learnt to start saying "no" and not following what all of my friends/peers want me to do. 
14. A sense of humour is important. Being able to laugh at yourself and enjoy the funny moments is a highly important part of anyone's day. 
15. Recently I've realised the important difference between self confidence and arrogance. A confident person can absorb and consider criticism while an arrogant person thinks they are above it. This is a very important distinction. 
16. You will never be able to know everything but that should never stop you from trying.