19 Things I Did (Or Didn't Do) In 2016

It’s the end of yet another year. I feel as though 2016 flew past me at intense speeds, begging me to hold on for dear life and threatening to throw me to the wolves if I didn’t. At the end of each year, we often choose to reflect on the good, quiet the bad, and completely hide the ugly. I could sit and write a post about all the things I did this year, telling you to look at how successful I was, but, who is that benefiting?

I was inspired this past week by one of my favorite bloggers, Manda Carpenter. Manda is well known for keeping it real, even when it may be difficult. Needless to say, her attitude is contagious (even through a screen) and her latest post 19 Things I Did (Or Didn't Do) This Year encouraged me to create my own list of good and bad from this past year.

“Normally it’s the time of year when I share lessons I’ve learned in these last 12 months or my goals for the year to come, but I feel like that’s so unnecessary. #ImpressingIsExhausting.”

I completely agree with her, so, in turn, here are some things I did (or didn’t) do this year.

1. I visited seven states: and while a majority of them are located in the midwest, I still enjoyed each space for its own.

2. I became Editor-in-Chief of my Odyssey community.

3. I didn’t have a stellar summer internship in an amazing city.

4. But, I did work at a Fine Arts summer camp (while living in a non-airconditioned dorm in the middle of July...).

5. I didn’t spend my spring break somewhere warm.

6. I moved out of my childhood home and into a bigger, more functional space for my family.

7. I FINALLY turned 21.

8. I drank way too much coffee.

9. I finished Kayla Itsines' BBG.

10. I couldn’t stick to any workout plan after that…

11. I worked insanely hard for a semester and got a 4.0.

12. I worked insanely hard for a different semester and didn’t get a 4.0.

13. I bought my cap and gown because graduation is (somehow) quickly approaching.

14. I don’t have a job lined up post-graduation... and to be honest, I don't even have a completed resume.

15. My computer crashed, I lost all of my documents, and I had to pay a ridiculous amount in order to fix it (#BrokeCollegeKidProbs).

16. I hiked mountains in Colorado and realized how small I am.

17. I got in too many silly arguments with my boyfriend because I’m stubborn, but we still made another year of long distance work.

18. I didn’t fly anywhere on a plane.

So, whatever you did (or didn't do) this year, be grateful for all that came and all that is to come. We're turning a new page soon, and you have the chance to do (or not do) whatever you want. Laugh, smile, cry, make mistakes, succeed, whatever - just do it all for you and be happy and content in that.