It’s the start of 2017, and unfortunately like every year before, I’m beginning the year with less friends than I did last year. I remember a time I counted down the clock with my closest friends by my side. Now I can count on one hand the amount of people I actually wish “Happy New Year” to.

They say it is a part of life to let go of negative people. They didn’t tell me how hard it would be to watch my ex-friends’ adventures on social media and reminisce when I was included, too. Since middle school, the number of friends I have slowly dwindles. However, I’m okay with it now.

Maybe it’s part of growing up. It sucks to not have as many people to turn to when things get rough, but now I know one thing: the friends I CAN turn to are some of the best. The people are gone for a reason, and I choose to accept this.

I choose to take the experiences I had with those people—both good and bad—and cherish them. I choose to learn from every time they broke my heart. I choose to go into the year with those I can count on. I choose to not regret letting go of the people who made me self-conscious, talked behind my back, and betrayed me. I choose to make 2017 my year.