2016 was a year of tragedy, heartbreak, and shock. The year kept taking and taking from us, and many are glad to say goodbye to this life-changing year. But in times like these, it helps to remember the good. So here is a list of heartwarming and pure things to come out of this year, in no particular order.
1. "Lemonade" by Beyonce
This year, Beyonce release her visual album "Lemonade," and it broke the internet. Her powerful story of strength, self-love, and forgiveness shook the whole world. It is a "love letter to black women," with a blend of spoken word, empowering lyrics, and a theme that tugged at the heartstrings for millions around the world.
2. Joe Biden
This year was the year of "realizing things," as Kylie Jenner put it. And this year we realized just how cool our Vice President truly is. From his love of ice cream, to the amazing Obama and Biden memes created, to his letter to support the Stanford sexual assault victim, Joe Biden made 2016 just a bit more bright.
3. Lady Gaga speaking about sexual assault and PTSD
2016 was a big year for Lady Gaga. She spoke out about sexual assault and performed "Till It Happens to You" at the Oscars, opened up about her PTSD, and released her best and most powerful album, "Joanne." (You can also read my review of the album here!)
4. Olympic gymnasts
The United States Gymnastics Team at the 2016 Rio Olympics took over the competition, and our hearts. Madison Kocian, Aly Raisman, Simone Biles, Laurie Hernandez, and Gabby Douglas (not pictured) are all an inspiration to girls, girls of color, and future gymnasts everywhere.
5. James Cordon's "Carpool Karaoke" series
From Adele, to Selena Gomez, to the First Lady Michelle Obama, James Corden knew that we needed to see celebrities act like us when we're in the car!
6. Giant Panda no longer endangered!
In September, WWF announced that the giant panda is one step further away from extinction!
7. Sex-crazy tortoise repopulating the Española
Diego, a giant tortoise from the Galapagos Islands, is helping to repopulate the island by having tons of sex. What a player and a saver!
8. Pokémon Go!
This game took over the world, my life, and gave '90s kids the biggest nostalgia this summer
9. New Netflix shows
Netflix gave us "Stranger Things," "Black Mirror," a new season of "Orange is the New Black," and "The Get Down." (Read my love of "The Get Down" here!) Netflix proved to us this year that we don't need cable: there are better, more diverse, and compelling shows out there.10. India planted 50 million trees in one day
More than 800,000 volunteers came together to break this momentous record.
11. Chicago Cubs won the World Series, breaking a 108 year curse
12. Brothers seeing color for the first time
The video that inspired others and warmed our hearts.
13. Orlando "Angels" block protestors for mourners to mourn in peace
After the horrific Pulse nightclub shooting this summer, members of the Orlando Shakespeare Theater gathered to help mourners of the victims mourn in peace.
14. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jackie Chan won their Oscars
Finally.
15. Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary
16. The success of "Deadpool"
"Deadpool" was a success in theaters this year, making $500 million less than two weeks after its release. This movie was hilarious, action-packed, and featured a prominently pansexual main character (Read an article about it here!).
17. Ellen awarded the Medal of Freedom
President Barack Obama choked up while honoring the talk show host for "accelerating our nation's constant drive towards equality and acceptance for all."
18. 70,000 Indian clerics signed a fatwa against ISIS
Around 1.5 million Muslims signed the petition as well, showing that these terrorist groups are not Islamic organizations.
19. Antarctic ozone layer is healing
20. "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" gave the Harry Potter Generation magic again
21. "The Hamilton Mixtape"
"Hamilton: An American Musical" seemed to dominate the headlines this year. Lin-Manuel Miranda and artists like Kelly Clarkson, Chance the Rapper, the Roots, Ashanti, Andra Day, Regina Spektor, and so many more banded together for this mixtape. Featuring music about immigration, artist's take on hit songs from the musical, and demos that didn't make the cut, "The Hamilton Mixtape" gives us more of the musical we have all come to love.
22. Dogspotting
23. Malta bans conversion therapy
Malta is the first European country to ban this torturous and homophobic "therapy," and they set the pace for LGBTQIA+ rights for the rest of the world.
24. Flower grown in space
Just look at the beautiful zinnia!
25. "Damn Daniel" kids donated Vans to children at a hospital
From becoming a meme, to being featured on Ellen, Daniel and Josh donated their lifetime supply of Vans to children at a hospital! Who said memes weren't a good thing?
Personal good things that happened this year:
This year was shitty, and even though some good things did happen, it's easy to forget the good that happened in your own life. Here are 5 good things that happened in my life this year!
1. I'm finally becoming more confident in myself
I've never really been a confident person. I grew up not liking myself, both physically and mentally. But this year, I can look in the mirror and not completely hate what I see. It's a slow process, but I'm getting there.
2. I'm beginning to love my major
Starting as an Undeclared major, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I declared Psychology as a major and I spent most of this year regretting my decision. I almost changed my major and I had many existential crises, but now, I love Psychology. I love what it means, and though it's a tough major, I am tougher and I can do this.
3. I have consumed more coffee this year than I have in my entire life
Is this a good thing? Is this a bad thing? Who knows? But all I know is is that I now have a caffeine addiction and it is getting me through college.
4. Today, as I write this, I am 4 years clean of self-harm
This addiction took over my teenage-years, and this year I am happier, more confident, and more mentally stable than I have ever been.
5. I came out this year
Through an Odyssey article, of course, I came out as bisexual to the whole world. Because of this, I have found peace within myself, the beauty in others, and the strength of the LGBTQIA+ community.
