
It’s taken me so long to write this post because I just couldn’t really bear myself to write it lol. This year has been HORRIBLE (duh, state the obvious Lizzie) so to be honest I was going to skip writing this 2020 recap buuuuut I’m going to do it for old time’s sake. So, here goes!
2020 was the year I basically lost myself… But then found myself again (thank goodness). And it all started with a lovely app called TikTok. Oh, and lockdown, of course.

TikTok ruined me
I had played around with TikTok prior to this year but, seeing as I suddenly had a lot of time on my hands because of lockdown, I decided to create more videos. And more. And more. And I got ADDICTED. It was just SO easy to create videos and the engagement was amazing!!! Like, my content actually got views??? Wow. I gained more followers there in a few months than I ever had on instagram (which I’ve had for a very, very, long time). I got so addicted to just looking at my stats that I began to change the way I dressed as I realised that particular types of clothing got a lot more engagement. Lo and behold, that’s when I began to lose myself. Which brings me to the next point…
My style was ?????? for the majority of the year
Because of the lovely TikTok, my style was ALL OVER THE PLACE. I didn’t really know what I liked or didn’t like anymore and was trying out so many different styles and basically wanted to follow the trend. I mean, it isn’t a bad thing to experiment, but I didn’t feel right. I spent so much money buying new clothes but in the end I just ended up hating all of my outfits. I just didn’t know what I was doing anymore. Sure, my outfits were nice and whatever, but it just didn’t feel like “me”.
That was until September/October when I fell head-over-heels in love with himekaji again. It was as if I had gone back 10 years and had discovered gyaru for the very first time and. I. loved. It!!!!!!! My motivation returned and I was so incredibly inspired! So I made it my goal to be an everyday himekaji gal (which is going to take a long time, but I’ll get there, slowly but surely!)
I spent most of the year feeling down
I’m not going to dwell on it too much, though, but thought it was important to mention that I was not coping very well mentally in 2020. I’ve made a lot of realisations and I’m going to do my best to move forward because honestly… I don’t want to return to that again.
Stronger friendships in the gyaru comm
On a lighter note – I had started talking to a lot more gals this year and I loved it! We did virtual meets, lots of voice messages, and oh my gosh I wanna carry on doing that next year. There were some rifts over the year but instead of just being annoyed, I actually went directly to the person and messaged them to try and figure out what exactly they were saying and you know what???? It’s the best decision ever! We, as a community, need to realise that everyone has different opinions AND THAT’S TOTALLY OKAY. Just live the life you want and stop worrying about what everyone else is doing 💖
Discovering my love for cooking and baking!
Yes, I now LOVE to cook! I don’t really get the chance to just enjoy the process of cooking but, because of lockdown, I had a lot more time to experiment with new recipes. We now have veggie dinners around 3-4 times a week rather than 1! How good is that? I also signed up to a few virtual cooking classes with Sozai Cooking School (where we cooked katsu curry and sukiyaki) and it has ignited my love for cooking Japanese food!
I nearly deleted my blog
Perhaps one of the biggest things… This blog had a MAJOR makeover. It got to the point where I was so sick about feeling so down about my blog all of the time that I nearly deleted the whole thing. Luckily, though, I changed my mind at the very last minute and decided to ditch the whole “professional website” look and instead went back to my roots in blogging like it’s 2010. Y’know, pixel art and super casual posts. AND I LOVE IT. I’ve completely thrown out the rulebook and there’s now no such thing as a “schedule” and I’m going to be sharing a lot more about my daily life without having to stress about creating photoshoot-worthy photos just so that I can post something on here.
No more “little Miss Perfect”
The whole thing about me feeling down about my blog has also led me to completely change the way that I create my content, which I kind of already mentioned before, but baaaasically I’m not getting too hung up on having to create perfect content anymore. No more feeling down that I’m not in front of Peggy Porschen’s taking pics for my blog! Instead – “real life” photos! I also started a YouTube channel which I absolutely adore and again… It’s all done in the comfort of my home!

Aaaaaand I guess that’s it!
I went through a lot over the past year but instead of dwelling on it too much, I’m going to try my best to move forward! I’ve already written up my goals for 2021 (which I will publish very soon) and it makes me so excited for the new year!
What things did you overcome in 2020?
Let me know in the comments below – and I hope you have a wonderful new year!


Lucy
December 30, 2020I loved reading your 2020 recap, it’s nice to see that you have rediscovered your love for baking! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
hellolizziebee
December 30, 2020Thanks so much!
Taylor
December 30, 2020Came over from Twitter and nice to come across your blog!
TikTok is a crazy world, thanks for sharing that! I got so addicted February / March and had to leave the platform for awhile because you’re right – way too addicting and posting content only because I knew what did well!
Glad to hear you found your favorite styles again!!
hellolizziebee
December 30, 2020Awh thank you so much for reading! But yes, Tiktok is quite a toxic place… So when and if I do go back, I will try not to be caught up in the rat race again!
Aaliyah
December 30, 20202020 has definitely been a rough year for us all and I’ll also agree that this year I have felt slightly down at times with being in and out of lockdown but I hope 2021 is a better year for all of us! X
hellolizziebee
December 30, 2020Yes I hope so, too! Here’s to a better year next year 💖 x
Jenna
December 30, 2020Love this post – I agree, Tik Tok is addicting! I also found a love for baking/cooking in 2020 and I hope to continue this in 2021 as it is much easier to be sustainable when cooking for yourself 🙂
Jenna ♥
Stay in touch? Life of an Earth Muffin
hellolizziebee
December 31, 2020I feel like baking/cooking is such a lovely thing to do that doesn’t involve being on your phone/computer/staring at a screen, and is quite refreshing! Good luck on your 2021 goals, too 💖
Anika
December 30, 2020Great recap! I can totally relate to being addicted to TikTok, I ignored it for months and then suddenly I was scrolling for hours!
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
hellolizziebee
December 30, 2020Yep yep! It’s so addictive, so it’s no wonder that insta are now doing Reels!
Kieli
December 31, 20202020….oh I don’t think I could make a post like this without coming off as depressing lmao. But I’m glad you had a lot more better outcomes. If you think about it, they were things that forced you to really find what you wanted and needed. So I’m proud of you. Especially for your blog and style. I always have pushed for being yourself when it comes to blogging. And I love the result. And I love himekaji Lizzie. I will always think fondly of Agejo Lizzie but Himekaji Lizzie is just as amazing ♥
hellolizziebee
December 31, 2020Omg Kieli thank you so so much, that really made me smile a lot 💖 I hope 2021 is kinder to you 💖
Kayleigh Zara
December 31, 2020I love your honesty in your recap! I’m genuinely so happy that you kept your blog because I love reading it.
I’m sorry you’ve been struggling, I’m always about if you need someone to chat too! I’m so excited to see what content you produce in 2021!
hellolizziebee
December 31, 2020Omg thank you so much Kayleigh, that means a lot 😭💖
Sophie
December 31, 2020I’m glad you found yourself and style again. I love the blog makeover. It feels very you! And I’m a huge fan of more real content too. I can totally relate when it comes to style. I feel a bit like I’ve been home so long I forgot what typical me looks like x
Rae Melody
December 31, 2020I feel like I can relate to this so much! being inside gave me way too much time to have a fashion crisis, lol. I tried like 3 different jfashions and it was fun but a lot of the time I was just stressed about it and didn’t feel good! and omg tik tok is so addicting. I don’t even create videos, i just scroll through and i get sucked in so I don’t let myself open it more than once a week. I’m looking forward to your posts this year!! Your blog looks great!
Lynn
December 31, 2020I am glad that you found yourself again! you look soo fab in himekaji
Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes
January 2, 2021Thanks for sharing your recap of the year 🙂
Amy
January 2, 2021I am so proud of you! I am glad that you found yourself and you’re finding ways of capturing your style again, and reclaiming yourself from bad mental health! You’re a queen, and you’re lovely and you deserve only good things 👑
Love you x
Amy
Susie
January 21, 20212020 may have sucked but I love the Lizzie we got in the end of it.
I hope this years marks a stark improvement and I look forward to seeing what new things have brought you joy!