As 2016 comes to a close, I've decided to look ahead to 2017. I'm excited to see what the year can bring me, and I'm looking forward to all the new opportunities I'll have. The first half of 2017 will be an exciting time for me: I'll be finishing up my senior year and then graduating from Otterbein. As for my outlook on the rest of 2017, here are 7 things I'm hoping for.
1. I hope to be happier. 2016 was a year filled with many difficult things that I had to overcome. I hope that 2017 can bring me more happiness, or at least brighter opportunities.
2. I hope that I can be prouder of myself. This is something I've always had trouble with: being proud of myself for accomplishing something. I hope that in 2017, I can start to allow myself to feel good for doing something right or important.
3. I hope to continue pursuing my passions. I'll be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English Creative Writing with a minor in Psychology this spring. And in 2017, I want to be able to continue writing, reading and learning about the world. I don't want to stop doing what I love.
4. I hope I can be more mindful. I've always been the kind of person that will work on assignments as soon as they're given. I'll always give 110% and am a perfectionist. I hope that I can at the very least, be aware of my habits and ease up when needed, as to not stress myself out even more than normal.
5. I hope to spend more time with family and friends. It's not that I haven't been, but there are certain times where I feel as though I am not 'present.' I hope that in 2017 I can spend more time being actively engaged with the people around me.
6. I hope that I can be honest with myself and others. I started to do this in my writing, but I want to be able to speak the truth too. I don't want to be afraid to say what or how I feel, and my hope is that 2017 will be a time where I can find that courage.
7. I hope that I can find strength to let things go. I hold on to so many things that are unnecessary and have weighed me down for far too long. I want 2017 to be the year that I begin to let go of those things and bring new experiences into my life instead of dwelling on the past.




























