Well, this is it. My last article. The last of my published words. I've been thinking about what the topic would be for this article for awhile, and I could never conjure up that 'WOW' factor. Then I was thinking, what would I want everyone to know if I was leaving forever? What would I want people to remember me by? Then I felt like the tiniest spec of dust aimlessly floating around in the universe because I couldn't think of one damn thing. It's been a week since my last article and not one damn memorable thing has crossed my mind.

I feel like I have lived most of my live very negatively. I tend to be selfish, I tend to put myself first, and I find myself complaining or worrying around the clock. Around junior year of high school I hit a wall and not just any wall, a concrete, brick, thorn-ed, tall, thick wall that made me lose my drive to be the ultimate best. I lost my competitiveness, I lost my will to care, I lost it all. It showed in my dancing, in my grades, my health, and in my relationships. I was suddenly okay for settling for second, then third, then sixth, then not placing at all. My drive to strive for perfection was washed away and I just simply settled. I was never this girl growing up.

I got to college and wanted to die. The first two years have been wiped from my memory because they were so unpleasant for me. The sad part is that dance suddenly became a chore and my interest was shrinking. However, I made the dean's list every semester, but did I retain any information? Hell no. I showed up, did my work, met deadlines, kept quiet, and waited for summer to arrive so I could return home to my comfort zone.

As my sophomore year of college was coming to an end, I started working on my health. I cut out all sugar from my diet and sometimes went to the gym twice a day. I felt great, looked great, and my confidence improved times twenty. Then the summer before my junior year of college happened. I made new friends out of old classmates. I was invited into a friend group that was around me since eighth grade that I simply didn't even acknowledge. This group of nerdy (no offense), car obsessed, video game playing, down to earth, kind-hearted boys welcomed me with open arms, bonfires, late night drives to Taco Bell, and endless amounts of humor and memories. With them I actually felt like I belonged as we spent nearly every summer day together.

Then it hit me. I owe them a thank you because they taught me more about life in two summers than my first two years of college did. I slowly grew out of that girl who complained and swam in negativity. I felt more care-free and at ease with myself. It seems ever since I met them I've been working on myself with staying positive, not complaining, lessening my worries, and overall enjoying the simple things in life like a pontoon boat with no chairs. Or cruising on the highway well over 70 mph in a Corvette or Subaru. Or wiping off the layer of dirt that covered your clothes from riding in the mini van with the windows down. Or always having a sober driver because your pastor friend likes to party too. Or getting sent YouTube videos and memes at 2am so you start your day with a laugh.

Now, time for the conclusion. If anything I want to leave behind the idea of surrounding yourself with good people. Humans are social beings and we need social interactions in order to survive. Think about it: why are jails torturous? Because they cut off human interaction and promote isolation.

I also want to leave behind the concept of listening to your body. Listen to what your body is craving and feed it greens, veggies, fruits, and protein. Listen to your body when you feel restless and give it 30 minutes of cardio. Listen to your gut when you're in a situation that doesn't feel right and get out. Listen to your intuition when you meet a stranger and just know they are going to have some sort of impact on you.

With that being said, here I go very cliche starting the next chapter of my life.