This year has been trying and ridiculous in so many different ways. It was my first year of college, I suffered from and began recovering from an eating disorder, and I've experienced so much. Though it wasn't the year I necessarily wanted, it taught me a lot, so here are 15 things I learned in 2015.
1. Hard work pays off only when you work for a really long time. A little hard work doesn't make magic happen; you have to work hard and be persistent.
2. Reaching out to ask for help means you are strong, not weak. You are admitting you are struggling and that is one of the most difficult things you can do.
3. You need to take action, even if it scares you, to get the change you want to happen. Simply saying you want something to change doesn't do much; no one can do the work for you.
4. You cannot numb out pain without numbing out joy and happiness and peace. The hurt makes it possible to feel and appreciate the love.
5. You can't plan everything. Spontaneity makes life exciting and it makes adventures fun and rewarding.
6. Reaching out to new people is worth it and building relationships is exhilarating.
7. Taking a step back from a situation is sometimes necessary to fully understand what's happening and what you need. Take a breath, remove yourself, figure out what your goal is and how to get there.
8. People leave. Whether they leave physically or just leave your life, space happens and learning how to be alone and cope by yourself is just as important as learning how to get support.
9. Discomfort is necessary to get to certain dreams or goals. You have to work through it and remember that it will not always feel this way.
10. There is beauty in everything and you can find that when you loosen the reigns a bit.
11. Sometimes you might mess up. Messing up is okay. It's not the end of the world. It does not mean you are an awful person; it means you're struggling and that's okay and that's allowed.
12. Friendships change. People change. The people you tell everything to may not be the same in a year. Just because you're not telling someone every detail of your life doesn't mean you can't still tell them some things and still be friends.
13. You will get through it. Whether it seems impossible or scary or both, you will get through it. It might suck and you might wish you didn't have to do it but you will make it through. This is just one chapter, it is not your whole story.
14. Everyone has a story that they don't share with others. Remember that and be mindful.
15. You're stronger than you think and braver than you realize. You've made it this far and you have the ability to continue to thrive.
Here's to 2016 and the experiences and lessons it will bring. Happy New Year!
