A year ago, my life was so different. I was a senior in college, in a great relationship. I had an internship. I was surrounded by amazing people. But I seriously felt like I wasn't happy, and I wasn't living the life that made me the happiest.

After breaking up with my ex-boyfriend, things felt more right but not as right as they should have. I started doing what I wanted. I honestly had the best senior year of college, with the exception of boys who confused me to no end and honestly drove me crazy at times.

But it made me realize that the thing you really want isn't the easiest to get. Maybe the person you think you should be with, you shouldn't. I decided not to spend my time chasing the people who weren't willing to chase me.

My internship was great. I was learning a lot. I was working with really great people. I wished and hoped I could work in an environment like that every time I was working in a position. But the environment took a turn.

I felt like I was walking on eggshells some days going in the office. I felt like I wasn't satisfying my bosses with what I was doing. It became more of a chore to go there every day than something I looked forward to.

So, I removed myself from the situation. It made me realize you're never stuck. You should never be forced to do something that I don't feel completely happy and appreciated in. There are always bad days, but the bad days should never outweigh the good.

Following my graduation, my mom decided she wanted to live in Florida, a dream I didn't share. So, I made the decision to stay in New Jersey with family and let my mom live her dream.

But I realized how much you can miss someone you've never lived your life without. I realized that, at some point, you have to really be an adult, even when you aren't on your own. This situation has a happy ending considering my mom will be back in New Jersey for good in a few weeks. She decided Florida is more of a vacation place for her, not a home.

Throughout everything that's happened in my 23rd year of life, I learned that every day is a lesson. Things are going to happen that you truly probably have no control over, but you have to learn to overcome them. You have to learn that life isn't always going to easy, but how you handle it speaks volumes.