After a nearly three month hiatus, I am back. I debated coming back, if we are being completely honest. I mean, I developed a blog, which allowed me creative fluidity in producing what I wanted when I wanted it to be published. However, seeing that I do feel needed with my Odyssey at Southern Miss fam, I felt it to be necessary to come back. This summer, I learned a lot about myself, the world, and the people in my life. I can only hope that they appreciate this as a salute to who they are as people. Enjoy.

1) Those close to you have a significant influence on your actions.

One of the earliest reality checks that I received this summer was when I looked back on things. What was I doing or thinking when I was in or with ABCD? Why am I this way? I asked myself these questions to come with no answer. What I did learn is that the closer you are to people, the better or worse person you become. Sometimes, it's the people, not the actions, that sway who you you become.

2) Nature is a beautiful place.

Not going to lie, it has been a rough summer filled with lots of ups and downs. Each time I was upset about something that I could not control, I turned to nature. Even on the most humid days where you could literally see the heat escaping the asphalt, it was a nice break from the chaos that surrounded me. Sometimes, it is the simple things that have the greatest impact.

3) I need to write more

Writing is not only one of my passions, but a talent, too. Luckily with my major, I get to combine them. However, it is one thing to have an assignment where I write and another to do it for pleasure. I need to do it for pleasure a lot more, even if it involves toying around with my journals every once in awhile.

4) When in doubt, there are always dogs.

Dogs are one of the few things in life that love with no conditions or boundaries. When I felt alone this summer, my dogs were who I turned to. As silly as that may sound, at some of my lowest moments, they came and licked the tears away, and provided a calm amongst my emotional storm.

5) When you need help, get it.

This is one of the biggest lessons I learned this summer. No matter where you are, there is always someone out there who has your back. Tell them your problems, and they will listen. If they are really good friends, then they won't judge, either. I also had to learn that anti anxiety pills are actually fantastic, and a good thing. I used to think that I was "strong enough" for such a thing, but I am now a happier person because of it.

6) Not everyone will like you, and that is okay.

Honestly, at this point in my life, I don't care whether people like me or not. Do I value some opinions? Of course I do. But wasting time in my free thinking worrying about what a small group of people think about me is useless. I had to learn the hard way that people are just immature. It is hard to grow with people when some cannot grow up.

7) (Some of) my family has my back

Sydney, this one is for you. I cannot thank you enough for being there for me in my low moments this summer. I am honored to be related to you, and even more honored to have such sweet GodKittens like Roro and Lolo. (Side note: how could you not love that face?)

8) New beginnings are scary, but they are not impossible.

This year, I am starting over. Like, from scratch, nada, got what I need and that is all, type thing. It is truly terrifying to think that I will not have the same people in my life at the

9) Part of the future is learning to let go of the past.

Like I said before, some people are too concerned with being petty and are immature af. But like Maxine Waters said, these people are just not worth "reclaiming my time" over. I had to learn the hard way that dwelling in your past prevents you from enjoying the now, and also the future. In many cases, you just have to be like Elsa and "let them go."

10) I am me, and nobody can change that

One of the things that comes with the emotional territory of anxiety is questioning yourself. "Am I good enough? What will I be?" Sometimes, it is easy to think that you are good, but not good enough. And you know what? At this moment in time, you are you, and there are people who love you. It is so easy to point to the negative and not the positive. However, when in doubt, stay golden.