Happy Impeachment Day, everyone!!! What an exciting day, I know that this does not mean that Trump is removed from office but hey, it's a start! Since it's literally the end of the decade, I think it's only right and fair to have somewhat of a self-reflection on the things this decade has personally brought to me, and the things I wish it didn't but that I can't take back. The world has changed immensely in the past ten years, but just because it changed doesn't mean it changed for the better. On the contrary, I would argue that our world has changed for the worse, even though it does have its moments. There has been so much racism and sexism that has sprung out of a he-who-must-not-be-named's Presidency that is literally sickening and has divided our country in so many unhealthy ways. Even though I have a lot of stuff I could say about how much I quite literally despise that man, I've had a year where I've grown a lot and a decade that I quite literally survived, and that is something in itself to celebrate.

You grow a lot every year, but this year in particular for me was one of a lot of positive growths. I feel like at some point, everyone sort of has a lightbulb moment where they come into their own, and that was this year for me. 2018 was a year for me where not to be cliche, but I was a very lost soul. I wasn't acting or becoming the person that I wanted to be, and that scared me. I was acting out against my family and friends, and just not being the sort of supportive, caring person that I pride myself of being on. I was not my happiest, and that was something I also wanted to fix.

I am in no way shape or form saying that I am constantly happy every single day. There are so many natural setbacks that I encounter almost on a regular basis, even if they are just myself telling me that I am not good enough or successful enough. As I have matured (which, if I do say so myself, has happened a lot this year) I've learned a lot about what prioritizing should mean to me. In order to be successful, you have to take the time to rejoice with those you love about your successess, and how I define success has a lot to do with those I love. When it boils down to it, my value word is love. Love to me encompasses passions, friends, family, and myself. It means prioritizing your relationships, and sharing in your special moments with those that matter the most to you. Shifting my viewpoint and redefining my definition of success has made me a much happier person, friends, daughter, and sister. It doesn't take away from my successors, it only adds to it. Being closer to those I love and genuinely appreciating them instead of just taking them for granted has given me thr courage to go after opportunities that I really desire, making me lighter and less anxious by nature, because I know that my set group of people in my life is forever and unbreakable. Over the course of this year, I have developed such intimate relationships with those that really matter to me, and that has changed how I both view myself and my potential to succeed, and this is how I now define success.

My advice? Find your value word, and hold on to it. Think about it every day, and really figure out what success means to you as you embark on this next decade of moments and memories.