Now that 2018 is here, we see that some people have more hope and faith in the goodness that this year will bring. However, as a society, we seem to forget that a new year does symbolic new hope and moving on, but it doesn’t mean every bad thing that happened the year before isn’t carried into this new year. Much to our dismay, sometimes our circumstances are ongoing into the new year.Here are 15 lessons I’ve learned in 2017 that are going to be carried into my 2018.

1. There is power in not being alone.

2. Support from good friends and family is vital.

3. I have a voice and it matters.

4. Life is too short to not be happy.

5. Even if I doubt God, he’s’ still there.

6. I have to trust my gut and the feelings of being pulled towards something because chances are it’s right.

7. It’s okay to ask the big questions.

8. Sometimes all I have to do is take a step back and let God be God.

9. When I’m forced to move on, it can be a good thing, even though it hurts at the time.

10. I’m stronger than I know.

11. There is freedom in having the faith to trust that God will provide and answer the larger life decisions that are thrown at us.

12. We gain hope and promise in knowing we won’t hurt this way forever, but we are so scared to know that certain things don’t last forever.

13. Self-care is important because I’m important too.

14. Taking the risk and being bold can be worth it.

15. Be straightforward, why play games?

I hope maybe you've learned something from my life lessons from 2017. I also hope that your 2018 is even better than you can imagine.