Almost everyone can agree that 2016 has been rough. Whether it be related to the election, the crisis in the Middle East, the crisis right here at home, or the handful of icons that have passed away, this year hasn’t exactly been one for the books. For those calling 2016 the worst year in quite some time, at a national level they’re not wrong, however, on a personal level I myself had a wonderful 2016. In fact, I might go as far to say that this year has brought me more growth than I originally thought possible.
This time last year I was barely walking, constantly obsessing over my weight, and having difficulty reaching out to make new friends. It felt as if I was living inside myself and watching as the world went on outside. I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do with my life, I had a plan that I came up with but every time I explained it to someone it felt like I was living a lie. I thought I lost my passion for writing and tried to find one else ware. In this moment I wouldn’t even recognize that girl, she wasn’t me and I’m so glad that I’ve finally found who I am.
Last year on New Years Eve I made a list of every terrible thing that had occurred to me in 2015 and burned it at midnight in hopes that 2016 would bring me nothing but love. After I burned the paper I made a different list where I wrote out a list of resolutions for 2016. A few of the biggest things from that list being to travel more, branch out from my introverted persona, and move in the right direction of health. Through some miraculous miracle I was able to stick to my New Years Resolutions and I'd like to look back on how they've changed me.
Growing up I always tended to keep to myself. I had a tendency to find one friend and latch on. As I grew up that proved to take issue, as I was scared out of my mind to try and make any friends in college. This year I followed through on my resolution to make new friends. I fought all my urges to crawl back into my skin and allowed myself to make several new friends to the point where at times I am overwhelmed. Despite sometimes wanting to still hide from the world I am so thankful for those who have come into my life this year.
The second resolution I was able to follow through on was to travel more. This is a topic that typically finds itself on multiple people's lists. In the beginning of the year people are consumed by the idea of traveling but few follow through. Typically I fall in line with the latter but this year my wanderlust was finally able to win. I was beyond blessed this year and was able to go on not one but five vacations spreading across seven states (Illinois, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Michigan, Colorado, and Connecticut). My wanderlust will not end in 2016 but carry on with me to 2017 where I already have several vacations planned.
What I am most proud of this year is taking control of my health, both physical and emotional. I attribute this largely to the yoga training I went through in the beginning of the year. It helped me realize what steps were necessary for me to take in order to become my best person. As of December 20th I have been following a vegan lifestyle, without any interruptions, for 10 months. Taking control of my life has allowed to cut out both toxic animal products as well as toxic relationships.
Learning how to become my own person this year was both exhilarating and scary. In the upcoming year many things will be once again changing for me and I welcome the new experience. Each year brings new challenges, adventures, and learning experiences. 2016 you may not have been kind to the world, but you were generous to me. So here’s to 2017, may you have a much kinder soul than your older sibling.
