Dear You,

How are you? I know you’ve been having a little bit of a hard time lately. Some things are picking up, and some things are winding down. This year was a whirlwind, but I promise you that it was worth it. Every. Single. Part.

Listen, I know you don’t need to be comforted all the time, and maybe you’re reading this and trying to virtually shrug someone off your shoulder. That’s one thing you learned this year: let the good in. There were so many good things this year- so many that you could even say were great.

Don’t get me wrong: you had times during these months that made you have to really sit down and think about your life. Another thing you learned this year: try not to overanalyze so much. You care about everyone and everything. Props to you my gal, because the world needs more of it. Make sure you don’t stretch yourself so thin that you aren’t able to stand tall when looking at your own reflection.

Heartbreak happens. If it didn’t, would it really be a full blown ‘nother year in the life of you? Not at all. Third thing you learned this year: let yourself fall, you’ll always get back up. Whether it is falling for someone, or even falling from happiness for a little bit, make sure you know that you’re strong enough to get back up.

I know you, I am you. I know that you let yourself drift while touching mountaintops and soar back down to skim the deepest sands of the oceans. You go through life so beautifully, but fourth lesson: don’t be ashamed of feeling. It doesn’t matter what you feel- let it happen. Let yourself be happy, even if you are still trying to make sure those ten other things you’re overanalyzing aren’t going to make you sad the next minute.

You’ve had a good year. You have many more, and you’re gonna absolutely rock em. Fifth thing you learned: time is not guaranteed. Hey, you knew this since the get-go, but there were a few reminders this year, yeah? All is well.

Keep the mantra “this too shall pass”, because man did that help you. Not everything is going to go as planned, that is guaranteed. You are beautiful, the world has beautiful things to offer, and if they turn ugly, at least you can say you tried to see them in the best light- always.

2017 has many exciting things in store for you. Take what you knew, what you now know, and realize that there is still so much. I’ll love you, always.

Love,