With the end of another year quickly approaching, it's easy to fall into the fast paced routine of holiday shopping, final exams, and of course, the realization of all of the things that you didn't do this year.
At the beginning of 2016, I set myself with the task of creating a yearly bucket list, as well as with the plan to take one photo for everyday of the year. The bucket list, with tasks such as trying a new food, ordering desert first at a restaurant (which I have yet to complete), drinking more water, using reusable shopping bags, and so on, has almost been completely checked off. The photography challenge, on the other hand, will not hit a perfect 366 photos for this leap year, but will end on a number a little closer to 250.
While reviewing my year, I began to realize all of the things that I didn't complete, and in all honesty, like many people, as another year comes to a close, became frustrated with myself. I had a whole year to apply for that job, or try that new thing, or be able to do that whatever it was, so what happened? How did I let a whole year go by and not achieve those things; especially if they have been on my to do list many a time before? But as I continued to go through my photographs and somewhat achieved bucket list, I realized some of the most amazing things that I did accomplish were not on a list, or captured in a photograph.
2016 was filled with so many moments that I could have never imagined happening upon entering into the new year. From creating amazing friendships, to taking unexpected roadtrips, to seeing live music and theatre that changed my life, so many of the experiences from the past year that I am so grateful for are essentially immeasurable. No amount of photographs or bucket lists could describe the unexpected memories and moments of the past year, a thought, I feel, should translate to every year.
So here's to every year being filled with unexpected moments that you would have never thought of being on your bucket lists, photos of views have yet to see, and people you will never forget. Here's to 2017, and all of the things you have yet to even imagine.
