Learning to Love Yourself, One Year at a Time
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Health and Wellness

The Past Year Taught Me The Most Valuable Lesson - To Love Myself

Sometimes we have to go through changes to see what we can handle and to allow ourselves to learn and grow from it.

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The Past Year Taught Me The Most Valuable Lesson - To Love Myself
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Everyday people change. We change because of the experience we go through, good and bad, helps us shape into the people we need to be. This year alone has shown me more about who I am than ever before.

In the past years I've always been the type who goes with the flow of everything and was always so scared I would displease anyone. However, this year changed, I began to live more for myself and soon realized that the only person I should worry about pleasing is myself.

The year was filled with adventure, friendships (beginning, ending, and growing stronger), and family growing. However, for me the most important change has been my confidence, it has grown a little more this year then where it was before. With each year, I get more confident which has helped me through my life. I cut my hair shorter as well as me starting to wear crop tops. I have also began wearing dresses and being comfortable wearing them.

A lot of my confidence has come from losing weight, which I didn't really notice until people started to ask and once I looked through pictures. Dancing more has also helped me with my confidence, it has allowed me to be more myself and not really care what people think.

I got to go to Ohio with my boyfriend and his friends who have become my friends as well. We had a blast there, I feel that it was a great bonding experience for all of us. We have so many memories that we look back on and still laugh about. It also allowed me to get to know them a little more which I feel has helped me.

I also got to experience camp with my older sister, it wasn't your average camp either. It was Camp to Belong, it was for children who are currently in foster care it allows them to spend a week with their siblings that they don't get to see that much throughout the year. It honestly was the greatest experience and best decision I made. I got to do something that I have always wanted to, but was always too scared to try. However, with the help of the other counselors in my group along with the kids I got to go zip lining.

This year has given me the opportunity to write for the Odyssey. It has allowed me to gain confidence within my writing all together. I have gotten more comfortable with people reading what I've written and being okay with the comments they may have. It has allowed me to get my voice out there and share my story. It has helped me do more of what I love to do the most and that's writing.

It was also a year filled with friendships. Weather they are new or old, starting or ending it doesn't matter. Friendships are important to me and I'm happy with who is in my life now who I get to call friends. I have gotten closer with my friends from last year and gotten closer to my coworkers. I am happy to call them my friends, but more importantly they are family. It's sad to say but some people don't stay friends and I learned that with some of mine this past year, but all it does it makes us stronger for the next.

The most shocking part about 2018 for me was my family growing. Let me explain, it grew a little more on my dads side. I grew up without my dad in my life, but I feel like I turned out okay. However, I have always known I have an older sister on his side, but we don't know each other, we talked once that's about it. A few years ago I found out that I have a brother.

Come to this year and I found him on Instagram and took a chance with adding him. Not expecting anything I got a follow back. He later reached out to me (after posting a picture I posted on my Instagram of my/our dad). We then started talking and got to know each other, we also met in person and it was great. We keep in touch, but it is hard with the time difference between us.

I also became an aunt. It sounds weird for me to say that, but it's true. My sister (on my dad's side) had a baby and I now have a niece. I wish that one day we can all get together and just talk and meet officially. I understand it's wishful thinking, but what is life without a little of hope?

For me I feel that everything was important for helping me grow a little more into who I want to be. I am happy for the experiences and changes I have encountered. The most changing was meeting my brother and I couldn't be happier about that.

Everyday we change a little, every year it tallies up to massive changes. It shows those around us how they have helped shape you into who you are. Weather it's good or bad they help you in significant ways even though neither you or them realize it. All I have to say is….

I'm ready for what 2019 has in store for all of us.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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