"I'm sorry, the old Taylor can't come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, 'cause she's dead!"
It's already more than halfway through December, which means we are in the midst of the holiday season. It also means that the New Year is approaching, and people like you will be creating resolutions and goals for 2018. I am also one of these people, and after surviving nearly all of 2017, I am ready to give myself a fresh start.
2017 had its ups and downs, just as every other year. For me, the year started off really great and maintained its quality for a while. In July, however, my family lost our dog (literally; we haven't found him). In August, I experienced the most significant break-up yet. In September, my fall semester of junior commenced and I endured struggles from day one academically, emotionally, and physically. While I am not looking for pity, I do think it's worth stating that I became depressed for a period of time. Coupled with the usual stresses of any college student's life, my life was a constant uphill battle. Every day seemed too long to endure, every sleepless night seemed eternal, every assignment seemed impossible, and every frustration made me feel like my world was crumbling around me. The truth is, it was. But not as severely as I perceived, and that's the key: what I thought I couldn't handle or overcome appeared to be more difficult, more massive, more threatening, and more unreachable than it really was. Now that I can look back on the year I've had, I recognize that one of most valuable lessons I could have ever learned myself is that our biggest obstacles should be treated as motivation and encouragement rather than hardships. Afterall, the things we accomplish give us our worth and confidence; if we all tried to approach difficulties as opportunities to prove ourselves or as taking a step closer to our goals, we would benefit remarkably. In 2018, one of my resolutions is to do just that.
Having made it through so many downs, I feel like a hermit crab who has grown too big for his shell or like a snake shedding its old skin. And as important as it is to admit that I've experienced some lows this year, I think it's equally as important to acknowledge the highs. In 2017, I completed an internship at my old middle school and was introduced to an awesome team of paraprofessionals and guidance counselors. I went on to finish my last semester of sophomore year with a 4.0. I met a new friend through social media who has taught me more about myself in the last year than anyone has taught me in my twenty years of life. Over the summer, I worked an amazing job with two children who have changed my life in tremendous ways. In May, my mom completed her certification to become a school principal and proved to my brother and I that hard work pays off. During the early part of July, my family enjoyed a brief vacation in Maine, which allowed us all to really enjoy each other's company and leave behind the stresses of reality. Needless to say, 2017 was the equivalent of a rollercoaster, and although I know that 2018 will be too, I feel so much more prepared for the lows. My outlook and view of the lows are changed in a way that, hopefully, will help me continue to learn and grow. In 2018, I hope I find myself better than ever before, and I hope the same for you too.
In short, my experience this year is probably not unlike your own. We endure similar things each day, and so I challenge you to make changes in your own life that will help you prosper and progress forward toward your goals and dreams, no matter how big or small they are. I challenge you to turn your setbacks into motivation and drive. I challenge you to be kinder. I challenge you to forgive. I challenge you to focus on the little things in life. Be the best version of yourself you can possibly be, and never ever give up trying. Keep up the hard work even when it seems like you have nothing left to give. Grow, learn, accept, and inspire others. Make 2018 your best year yet, for there is no better time than now. And let's face it: you are the only person in control of making that happen.