2016 was a year of many changes. Some good changes, some bad changes. 2016 has been a rough year. A lot has happened in the world. Some of these were good, others were bad, and some absolutely shocking. But in the end, 2016 has been a learning experience like no other. It has provided us with hurdles that we needed to jump over in order to make the best versions of ourselves possible. Because 2016 was so eventful and life-changing, here are some of the things I learned in 2016.
1.) Work hard and the outcome will be amazing
I always put my best effort into the things that I do. The outcome of my fall semester in 2016 has been amazing. I have worked so hard to get the grades that I have been getting. Working hard will always pay off in the end.
2.) Do not be a dorm hermit
The amazing outcomes I spoke about above came with a consequence. Throughout 2016, I aimed for straight A's and never left my room. Work hard, but do not let your work take advantage of you and define you as a human being. Do not be a dorm hermit. Live life outside of school, otherwise, your social life will continue without you. You will become isolated and feel alone. Make the most of your school experience and be social.
3.) People are going to leave your life.
People are going to leave your life, whether through death, drifting apart, or a falling out. Every time that this happens, it will be a hard. You will feel pain. But in the end, thank those people for the lessons they taught you about yourself, and all the memories as well.
4.) It is okay to ask for help.
Life is difficult and sometimes we need a helping hand. It is okay to ask for help, we are not herculean. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength to realize when you are struggling.
5.) Sometimes your old friends are the best
In college, I got nervous that my old friends would leave me and never want to see me again, which was far from the truth. Old friends know what makes you tick and know how to cheer you up when you are down. They are truly the best.
6.) Be your own best friend.
Life has taught me to be my own best friend, and to advocate for myself. No one knows me better than I know myself.
7.) People who leave your life are not terrible people.
I always get offended when people leave my life, causing me to run circles in my head to try and figure out where I went wrong and. The thing is, they left...but they are not terrible. They needed to grow and they gave you the tools to grow into the best possible version of yourself.
8.) Never lose that child-like wonder
After watching an episode of the Goldbergs recently, the phrase, "Never lose that child-like wonder" has been stuck in my head. As I grow up, I have started to lose my child-like wonder that made life so wonderful. Losing it has made me pessimistic. So, never lose that child-like wonder. Find the beauty in everything and stay curious.
9.) You need to be a friend in order to have friends
During 2016, I simply expected that my friends would be there and have my back, despite being a dorm hermit. However, that is far from true, and I began to notice how isolated I really was. My friends began to live their lifes without me. So, in 2017...be a friend and be social.
10.) You will hurt people and they will hurt you.
I would always become really upset by the idea of hurting someone, causing me to punish myself. There is really no need to that as while we may hurt people and they will probably hurt us. Forgive yourself and those that hurt you. Learn from those mistakes and change them. The best possible thing to do is say "I'm sorry" and move on.
11.) Jump on Opportunities
As much as I have not been social, I have taken a lot of great opportunities lately. I took a cabinet position within the sorority I am in. I started writing for the Odyssey. I got a job. All these big pieces of my life have made 2016 way better. Saying yes to positive opportunities that come your way will always benefit you. You will have a sense of achievement, especially when you succeed.
12.) Let Life Happen
I like to control situations. I need to learn to let go and that's exactly what 2016 has started to teach me. I cannot control how my life goes, and I need to let life happen by stop trying to control every little thing.
13.) Stop having high expectations
One reason I get so upset is because I have high expectations for people and for situations. If you do this, please stop. Life will most likely never turn out to the way you imagined it. You will only make yourself upset.
14.) Don't stress the little things
Life will have mini hurdles and large hurdles. Do not waste your energy on the small hurdles in life. They are not worth the fight. Instead, pick your battles. You will have more energy and you won't be as miserable
15.) Be you
This one is self-explanatory. Be yourself, trying to please other people is less exhausting.
16.) Choose A Positive Mindset
I know I have lacked this one recently. If 2016 has taught me anything it is to have a positive mindset. Life will surprise you with good and bad, but carrying around all that negativity will make you, and those around you, unhappy So, don't worry and be happy!
One more lesson as a good luck charm for 2017: You control your own happiness.
This is what I have learned in 2016. Thank you to all the people who have believed in me this year. Thank you to all the people who have made a big difference in my life, whether that be good or bad. Thank you for reading and comment some of the things you learned in 2016.
*Disclaimer: These are lessons I have learned, and are not meant to sound vicious. I take all these lessons to heart and hope to better myself as a human being.*
