Dear 2016

Everyone jokes that 2016 was a horrible year and in some respects, it was.

For me, 2016 was a year that started off with moments I can only describe as make or break moments. The moments that made me pause, take a breather and regroup.

I always find that it is in these moments where the most personal growth happens. You learn things about yourself that you didn’t before. You learn how to pour your energies into activities and school work so you don’t get caught up in your own mind. You also learn that it’s okay to take a moment to feel your emotions completely on the days when the distractions just aren’t cutting it. You learn which friends take the time to understand what’s going on and which ones leave. Which you also discover is an alright thing, because if they didn’t care enough to ask what was up then they probably shouldn’t be there in the first place.

For me, 2016 was learning how to be independent while still being connected. It was the first time I lived in my own apartment and learning how to function in that space instead of becoming lost in it is a set of skills I’m proud of. I also learned ways to make myself happy. And by no means am I saying that I suddenly have the all-knowing answer to that existential question of happiness but I feel like I’ve made progress from where I was a year or even 3 years ago.

From the media and the world, I learned that compassion goes a long way. Humanity isn’t perfect and we never will be but there is so much that can be changed by changing the way you lead your own life. Making yourself a little kinder and warmer in a cold world is never a bad thing.

The New Year is always built up as this grand opportunity for a huge change. But I’ve found that change doesn’t happen as quickly as the 60 seconds it takes for the clock to turn, it happens day by day sometimes even month by month.

Thank you 2016 for teaching me about strength and independence. Thank you for lessons on compassion and friendship. 2017 I look forward to getting to know you day by day and month by month.  I hope you look forward to getting to know me too.

Love,

A.