2016 was a fairly rough year for the world in general, and on a personal level for many people. This past year had both its highs and lows, but it led me to have a lot of optimism for 2017.

First of all, 2017 is the year I will be graduating from college. I am so close to my Bachelor's degree that I can just taste the freedom of post-grad life (and the debt... but I don't have to worry about that until November, so let's ignore it for now). Though it will be stressful to not have the structure that college has given me over the past three and a half years, I am looking forward to being able to discover what my life really is supposed to be beyond the restrictions of that structure. Though that may be living with my mom in my childhood bedroom for a little while longer while I get on my feet, it's still going to be a learning experience and I am stoked!

I get to make my full-length play directing debut in 2017, as well. I have been talking about wanting to "do theatre" as a career for so many years and no one really knew what I meant, me included. 2015 gave me clarity on that, as I discovered my love and talent for directing. 2016 brought me my internship working with some incredibly talented children. I got to be the assistant director for their productions, and that gave me the confidence to fight for a chance to direct for my thesis, and luckily I am getting a shot. It's going to be a lot of work and super stressful, but in the end I'll get to sit back and watch something beautiful that I have created with the help of some of my good friends and classmates, and that is going to be the best feeling in the world!

But even with all of these personal accomplishments that I am looking forward to in 2017, the most important is that I believe we will have to come together as a nation and as a planet to make sure we are taking care of each other and our home. It is easy to be pessimistic about 2017 after the outcome of the election, and honestly I don't have high hopes for our President-elect--he scares the shit out of me--but that shouldn't make us shut down, it should make us step up and support each other and make up for any shortcomings the leaders may have. We have to fight and we have work together, and I have faith that we can. Supporting each other is crucial. Loving each other is crucial.

2017 WILL be a great year. And if we all believe that, it will come true. So say it with me: "2017 will be a great year!" and make sure you believe it!