1. Friends move on, but that doesn’t mean you did anything wrong.

I noticed the signs of some of my friends beginning to distance themselves from the friend group, not showing up to parties, not answering text, giving excuses for their absences. Then, one day, they say that they do not want to be friends anymore, but they can't give a reason why.

I spent months racking my brain and blaming myself for losing a friend, but it turns out it wasn't my fault or their fault; 2018 taught me that sometimes there isn't a reason, that there doesn't always have to blame, that people move on and that is okay. 2019 will be a year of accepting things that happen without finding a reason/blame.

2. Do the thing you’ve always wanted to do, even if it costs a lot.

My favorite moments from 2018 were going to two Sugarland concerts. It was so expensive to go, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Money comes and goes, but the memories and pictures will last forever. 2018 taught me to go to that concert or take that trip; it will be totally worth it.

In 2019, I hope to do more of what I love.

3. Do not always prepare for the worst.

It's easy to think things are going to go wrong. Preparing for the worst has become a specialty of mine. For most of 2018, I was ready for plans to get canceled or for me to fail a test. But it turns out everything that I was anxious about and preparing myself to go wrong actually turned out okay and sometimes great!

For 2019, I am going to be aware of what could go wrong, but not worry about it until it happens… if it happens!

4. Treating others how you want to be treated isn’t always the best idea.

It's the age-old saying: "Treat others how you would want to be treated," but what if you go above and beyond for people just to be treated mediocrely or even forgotten? You make sure everyone is invited and included, but when it comes to you being included, no one thinks to invite you until it's after the fact. You always get the comment: "You're always invited!" *mega eye roll*

2018 taught me that sometimes I do too much for people who wouldn't do the same for me. 2019 will not be the year where I begin to forget people, but it will be the year where I begin to think about myself more and to not go above and beyond.

5. The best times aren’t always planned.

Thinking back through my 2018, some of the best moments that happened were those nights that were not planned. Like the night where my friends and I went to our mutual friend's work to bother her, and that turned into an impromptu midnight trip to Cookie Munchers and then Walmart.

Or the night when the carnival was in town and it just so happened the majority of my friends were bored and free (very rare), so we went to the carnival, then got drinks at Hollywood Cafe and Sports Bar. These moments were some of my favorites from 2018, and it shows me that you don't need proper girls nights or big thought-out plans weeks in advance.

2019 will be the year where I will be more spontaneous like I was on the nights that still bring a smile to my face.