In the five years that I've kept this journal, I've so far failed to graduate, failed to get a boyfriend, and failed to earn (and save!) any money. And yet, I've had a bloody good time failing.

I've gone from a 17 year old Lower Sixth student to a 22 year old Fourth Year. From a size 8 to a size 10/12/14 (dependent on where I shop!). From Chester to Aberystwyth with Bristol in between.

I've gained lots of debt, experience and friends. I've lost a parent, innocence and friends.

In many ways, I'm still that 17 year old. I still believe that there's a happy ending - but five years has made me realise that the happy ending doesn't begin and end with a bloke. In fact, in the five years, I've not managed to have a proper relationship. Does that make me sad? Sometimes.

If you had said to the 17 year old Hayley that all of the events of the past five years would happen, she would have laughed, because it looked so different. If you ask the 22 year old Hayley if she would change things, of course she'll agree. But she's clever enough to realise that things happen for a reason, and she can only hope that karma sorts itself out soon.

Here's to the next five years - and beyond!