Sitting here watching the snow melt & reminiscing on this past year. It’s been a tough, sad, annoying, exciting, invigorating, self-reflecting, happy, inspiring year of discovering myself.

As I sit here listening to Taylor Swift's 1989 album I'm realizing how age-appropriate this album is for me as well as Taylor. I will be the first to admit that Taylor Swift is not my favorite artist but every now and then she comes out with songs that really hit me with the feels and 1989 was that album. It felt very grown up, very refreshing, and I could feel her maturity in the songs, it was like she was becoming a woman with this album alone. And this is the reason I can relate to the songs so much because I'm in the exact same stage of womanhood. Growing into my own person more and more each and every day. At first I thought it would be slightly scary to grow up and become this woman but its actually not, I've never felt more alive in my life than in this very moment.

It didn't come overnight where I magically felt comfortable in who I am, nor can I point to one moment in time and go "that was the moment that defined me" it just gradually happened over time.

It was built up from multiple moments over the years. Turning 25 may be one of the reasons that I finally feel comfortable in my own skin and not afraid to show my true self. Adele knew what she was writing about when 25came out. The whole album reflects on phasing out of the early 20s mode and accepting that you're getting older. And coming to the realization that you're becoming a more mature version of yourself.

Because once you understand who you truly are, there is no person that could try to convince you of the potential you have, except for the person staring back in the mirror.

This was a year of many firsts: jumping off a 30-something foot cliff, traveling to Asheville with my best friend - which was such a great experience, staying in a log cabin for New Years, breaking down after a stressful exam session, and losing a our first family dog.

Looking at this photo I see someone who is realizing exactly who they are and where they stand in life. And I want wait to see what awaits her next. If 2017 was a year of personal growth then 2018 will be the year to start afresh and experience more firsts.