Loss happens to all of us, and there is very, very little we can do to prevent it. However, what we can do, is try to learn from it and better ourselves to keep on moving forward. We have to learn how to accept what is, and look forward to what's going to be.

For me personally, I've experienced enough loss in the last year and a half to last me a lifetime. Loss of a parent, loss of a significant other, loss of friends, and at times loss of myself. If you asked me two years ago if I'd be where I am now, I would have never guessed that any of these things that have happened to me would have happened.

I've learned so much from losing a parent. Ultimately, that it's something that nobody should ever have to go through, especially at only 19 years old at the time. Losing someone so close to you can really open up your eyes to the world around you and how precious and delicate life truly is. You really never know what's going to happen tomorrow. So live today like it's your last day (as cliche as that sounds). Most importantly, do not take your parents (or anyone for that matter) for granted. I would give absolutely anything to have my mom back here to guide me and for a shoulder to cry on.

Losing a significant other is never easy, but it helps you mature in so many ways. You learn more about yourself and what you look for in a partner. I believe that everything happens for a reason and that if this relationship didn't work out, it wasn't meant to be. Even though it completely sucks in the moment, and probably for months after, it will help you in the longrun and you will be thankful that everything happens for a reason.

Throughout all of these things that have happened to me, I really did lose myself at a point. I felt as if I had nobody and everyone was against me. Feeling this way was obviously not healthy. However through the help of family, friends, and (The Odyssey!) I was able to eventually find myself again and return to my healthy ways. I'm not saying that there aren't still times where I get upset about the things that I've lost in my past, but it just doesn't affect me in the same way that it did three months ago.

We can learn so much through loss. It's something that sucks to go through, but it's a part of life and something that is ultimately inevitable. Take the loss in your life and turn it into a lesson. Turn it into something that you can use to better yourself. I promise you, you will learn so much and look at the world through different eyes, and you'll be thankful you do.