akiramai

Hello once again lovelies!

I was inspired to write this blog post after reading @ainoa 's which I definitely recommend you to read also!

2017 was such a big year for me. I grew so much, I let go of a lot of negativity and channelled all my negative thoughts into positive ones I could spread with the world.

January

I LEFT AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP AND LEARNT TO LOVE MYSELF

The beginning of 2017 started out pretty rough for me. I had been in an emotionally manipulative and abusive relationship for a while, and in January it became physically abusive and with a lot of strength, I left my partner. I surrounded myself with people who loved me and slowly began to mend myself, piece by piece. I had forgotten who I was and what made me happy. I finally got my voice and my smile back.

I also shot my first multi, Little Darling with @mila

February

I FORMED STRONGER AND NEW FRIENDSHIPS AND MET THE MAN WHO IS NOW THE LOVE OF MY LIFE

What I realised in January, was that not only was I neglected by my ex, but I also neglected myself a lot in the process. I cut myself off from a lot of people I care about, as he’d always throw a tantrum if I wanted to hang out with my friends for a girls night. I ditched the old habits and I started pushing myself out of my comfort zone more, making new friendships and strengthening the ones I had already made.

March

SYDNEY SHOOTFEST AND SHOOTING MORE

In March, I was really getting into my new routine. I attended the Sydney shootfest and shot a cosplay baby doll set with @victory that we are yet to submit! I also visited the most beautiful sunflower fields, which I will never forget!

April

I HAD MY BIRTHDAY PARTY, WENT TO MELBOURNE AND SHOT THE SET THAT MADE ME PINK!

April was a very busy month and the peak of my year! I had a big birthday party and caught up with so many old friends and travelled to Melbourne with my best friend to celebrate, where I shot 2 sets with @kyla , one of which is currently in the queue, and the other one I shot was The First Rule , which ended up turning me pink!

May

FIRST TRIP AWAY WITH MY PARTNER, WHERE I TRULY FELL IN LOVE <3

In May, my boyfriend and I went to Shoal Bay and stayed in his parents holiday apartment! I had such a lovely time, We went on little hikes together, watched the sunset on the beach multiple times, got up early enough to watch the sunrise and visited some super cute animals!

In May I also saw Hellions play live, after missing them numerous other times!

June

SPENT LOTS OF TIME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY

I don’t have many photos from June, which is a pretty good sign that I was crazy busy with work and life admin at the time! I continued to keep my friends close, and went to vivid in Sydney!

July

MORE TATTOOS AND @MILA AND I BOOKED OUR TRIP TO JAPAN

In July I got more of my sleeve done! I’m slowly but surely getting it all coloured in by the amazing ‘siarnthecatprincess’ (on instagram)! Siarn is super talented and a big fan of Studio Ghibli herself, so we always have a good time when I’m getting tattooed!

Speaking of Studio Ghibli, @mila and I, along with our partners finally booked our 3 week trip together to Japan, for the end of March 2018!

August

SHOT WITH NEW PHOTOGRAPHERS, FINALLY WENT TO THE CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL AND SAW TROPHY EYES!

August and October were big months with me shooting with new photographers! I created some amazing work with some super inspiring people (cough cough, @caustix ), and my partner and I got to visit the cherry blossom festival in Sydney, where I’ve been dying to go for years!

I also finally got the chance to see Trophy Eyes perform live, as I had seen them once the previous year at a much smaller venue!

October

HALLOWEEN, PARTNER MOVED IN WITH ME AND SHOT/EXPLORED EVEN MORE

Like I mentioned above, I shot with lots of new photographers also in October, I felt so lucky to work with such creative souls that allowed me to explore beautiful parts of Sydney! My boyfriend officially moved into my house, and we celebrated Halloween together!

September

GAVE MYSELF LOTS OF ME TIME AND KEPT MY LOVED ONES CLOSE

In September I tried to focus on myself a little bit more, sometimes I can over prioritise making money and shooting over my own mental health! I also celebrated my best friend @mila ’s birthday this month, and we went to Holey Moley in Newtown!

November

THIS WAS THE BUSIEST MONTH, I WAS ON THE FRONT PAGE (MY FIRST SOTD), WENT TO THE BRISBANE SHOOTFEST AND SHOT 2 MORE SETS! ATTENDED THE SG AUSTRALIA BALL AND CELEBRATED SO MANY WONDERFUL THINGS, SUCH AS AUSTRALIA WAS SLOWLY BEGINNING TO LEGALISE GAY MARRIAGE!

November was CRAZY! I was super surprised when I received the email that my set ‘The First Rule’ had been bought! Everything started rolling into place, and I did my first live stream on the Suicide Girls Facebook page and talked to so many lovely members/fans of the site!

I also attended the Brisbane shootfest, and met so many inspirational ladies that I look up to, just like @arachnie, who I was lucky enough to shoot a multi with! I also shot a set with @waikiki that was absolute fire!

Australia also received the news of the postal vote survey for legalising gay marriage in Australia, and the YES vote won! <3

December

VISITED ENGLAND TO SEE FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS, SPENT NEW YEARS WITH THOSE I ADORE <3

December was a lovely month to end the year with! I visited the UK, where I grew up, and saw my Grandad who is quite ill, it was his first Christmas alone after my Grandmother died, but we all stuck together as a family and spread so much happiness and love.

I also had the pleasure to catch up with old friends, and it was the first time in 10 years that my whole family had been back to visit at the same time! I also had the pleasure of shooting with @mikewhitephotog while I was there!

For New Years, I spent it with my favourites! (hint hint: yes it’s @mila again)

But most of all (warning: sappy!) one of my favourite parts of this year was being a part of this awesome community, where I feel like I can truly be myself. I feel safe to write on here and interact with you all, and have met so many talented people through Suicide Girls, and can't wait to see what 2018 brings me (fingers crossed another set bought!)

Thank you as always for working so hard, and giving us a little crazy SG family that we call home <3 @missy @rambo @sean

Much love,

Akiramai

xo