2015.
Since beginning Kindergarten, this past year has held special significance to me. After all, I graduated from high school, moved 13 hours away, and started college all last year. This year, my confidence, sense of independence, and experiences grew dramatically as well.
At the same time, this year was one of the hardest. It was a year of transitions, a year of changes. While graduating from high school meant moving on to different experiences, it also meant saying goodbye to everything I've known for the last 13 years. Deciding to go to college in Boston was a choice that excited me very much, but it was also one that forced me to say goodbye to my best friends and venture out completely on my own.
But I wouldn't change any of it.
My hope for 2016 is that, next year at this time, I could look back on the past year, and not want to change any of it. That would be my hope for anyone in this upcoming year: to live it having no regrets.
Do this by never putting anything off until tomorrow. What I mean is, if you want to do something, don't wait. Just do it now. Whether it be finally getting that tattoo you've wanted forever, or finally breaking free of a toxic relationship: Just go for it. Don't let other people's opinions sway you.
Become more open and more understanding. You would be amazed what being more understanding will get you. If one of your friends cancels on you, try to understand. Be empathetic. At the same time, be more open with people. Don't keep everything bottled up inside you. Trust me, it's not good for you, and your friends really don't mind listening to you vent.
Be more confident. Being confident in your abilities does not make you selfish or self-absorbed. Knowing what you want and knowing you can achieve it is attractive on anyone, not repulsive, so don't feel bad flaunting everything you can.
Realize that there are going to be some bad days along with the good. Sorry about it but that's just the way life is. I'm not going to say that everything happens for a reason, because sometimes bad things happen for no reason, but without the bad days, how would we measure the good days?
Perhaps the most important advice I would give going into the new year is to smile more. I know that between stresses and rushing around, sometimes it's hard to remember to smile. But this year, don't. Trust me on this one: If you smile at someone, you will feel better and so will the one who received the smile.
By following those few simple rules, I hope to make 2016 the best year yet. There is no telling what the next 366 days will bring, but I know I'll enjoy every moment of each day. My wish for you is the same.
