With 365 days in the year, many of us have been given the opportunity to laugh a little, to cry a little. We have experienced moments of absolute pain and moments of pure joy. Some may have fallen in love, and some may have had their hearts broken. Maybe some have experienced the loss of a loved one or gained a new addition to the family. So much can happen in 365 days.

Maybe to you 365 days is a long time. To others, not so much. I know for me, 2018 flew by and looking back, it all just seems like a blur. I consumed myself with work, school, and the chaos of life forgetting to, as cliché as it may sound, stop and smell the roses. Taking time for myself was not on the agenda in the slightest, and neither was slowing down.

2018 is over, and it's time to move on, move forward, and not look back. It's okay to remember the past, but don't bark on it. Start the year off with a fresh look on life.

It is so easy to be consumed by the surrounding world, especially when it feels like most everything is going awry. We would much rather partake in the simple life and look for the beauty within that, seldom finding beauty in mayhem sometimes consuming us. I challenge you to take the time to admire the beauty amid chaos, though. Don't just look for beauty in the simple things. If you can find beauty in the trying moments, then how much greater will the peaceful times be? Besides, what is life without a little excitement?

This year, I challenge each person, myself included, to take time for yourself. I'm not just talking about sitting on the couch watching tv all day either. Go out. Explore. Go on adventures by yourself. Get up early to watch the sunrise. Try a different coffee shop every month. Look for beauty in all you do; in the good times and bad. The possibilities are endless, and it's up to you to make this year your best one yet!