As the year is coming to a close and we prepare for 12 more months of twists and turns, I would like to take the time to reflect on the things that I learned this year. It has definitely been a year of surprises and disappointment, heartache and loss, but it has also taught me so much about the world and my place in it. In the words of Kylie Jenner, this year I've just been "realizing stuff."

This year, I learned the real importance of friendship. I had a tough year and thankfully had some great people around me to help me through it. I learned just how important it is to make sure your friends are people that you can trust, people that will shower you with support and still be honest with you about your faults. Surrounding yourself with "yes men" is dangerous, so make sure the friends you make in 2017 respect you enough to be honest with you.

This year, I learned the value of staying true to yourself. The difficulties of this year taught me to listen to the voice inside my head and stand my ground. If something doesn't feel right, it isn't right. Let your instincts guide you and don't let the world persuade you. In 2017, live your life and try your hardest to cast aside the pressure from everyone else.

This year, I learned the peace of letting go. Saying goodbye to people you love is so painful but with that pain comes peace. The ache of change takes so much getting used to, but I have been better because of it. Don't be too afraid to say goodbye to the people or things that you love, this year brings with it so much more opportunity.

2016 has definitely been rough, but I didn't hate it. It graced me with so much knowledge and experience. I'm ready to see what the next year has in store for me. Hopefully we've all done enough "realizing" this year, so 2017 will take it easy.