By the time this article is published, 2018 will be in full swing, and 2017 will officially be one for the books.

I've heard mixed reviews about 2017. The year brought us an extremely active and expensive hurricane season, when Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and Maria ripped apart Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico. The United States experienced over 300 mass shootings in 2017 alone, making it the most deadly in over a decade. Wildfires spread across the state of California, making it the most destructive season on record and costing over $13.8 billion in damages.

Yet, we still have many reasons to celebrate. New songs hit the market that defined the soundtrack of 2017 like Shape of You by Ed Sheeran, Despacito by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, and Humble by Kendrick Lamar. Healthcare has also begun to improve all around the world; Zika has all but disappeared, 3-D printing has made its way into the pharmaceutical industry, and new treatment options have improved the outlook for many diseases.

So how do people really feel about 2017?

I decided to investigate this question on a more personal level by asking people of all ages to describe their 2017 using one word or one short sentence. I reached out to friends and family, posted discussions on social media like Facebook and Instagram, and reconnected with people from my past.

This is our 2017.

For some, 2017 was a year for self-improvement, growth, and discovery.

'Eye-opening' - age 20

'Growth' - age 22

'2017 was definitely a year of discovering just how mentally and emotionally strong I am' - age 26

'Stretching myself to the unimaginable enabled me to reach the unimaginable' - age 40

'Redemption' - age 16

'This year has been a continual cycle of learning, instability, and growth' - age 20

'Challenging, yet successful' - age 14

For others, 2017 was a year full of adventure, and new experiences.

'Oh god, I'm going to be a mom' - age 28

'Adventure' - age 18

'One new experience after another' - age 21

'lol why am I like this' - age 18

And just like we saw in the news, 2017 had mixed reviews.

'2017, meh' - age 21

'Healthy' - age 78

'It was regular' - age 16

'Empty nest' - age 44

'Drama-free and weird' - age 10

'A year of trials and triumphs' - age 21

'100% bright futures. Fantastic vacations.' - age 44

Still, 2017 was a wild rollercoaster ride for us all, full of twists and turns and ups and downs.

'Unpredictable' - age 21

'Chaotic' - age 24

'Exciting' - age 79

'Eventful' - age 23

'Speedy' - age 71

'Fantastic' - age 57

'Glad it's over!' - age 67

Although 2017 was full of both good and bad, it will always be a year to remember. It was so empowering to see how so many people chose to characterize their 2017 by describing positive events and experiences.

While the media has given us all the idea that 2017 for the United States was characterized by one nasty event after another, we must never forget our 2017 and how it has all changed us for the better.