It is time (maybe a bit past) for the slew of “new year, new me” posts, articles, declarations, isn’t it?
Every year it is the same thing, everyone claims that this new year will be better than the last. People complain about what a terrible year the current one turned out to be or raves about how it was such a wonderful year.

Well, as always, it’s time for my “no resolutions, but this is what I learned” post.

Life has been a whirlwind lately and it has been nearly three months since I have blogged, which says a lot. Even when I was a full time grad student, an intern, and a part-time nanny I still made sure to post every month (which really is not all that often). Writing is one of the best ways for me to relieve stress, yet in time of extreme stress, it is always the first thing to be pushed to the side. *sigh* funny how that works.

2016. 

It was an interesting year to say the least. There were a lot of highlights including finishing my master’s degree, traveling to Italy, spending two weeks in New England, meeting my niece, moving into my first apartment, getting my first “adult” job, and beginning the journey of what we call a relationship.

Graduating with my master’s still seems a little surreal to say. It has now been eight months and my first loan payment hits next week, but I still hesitate to say I have my masters. Traveling to Italy was incredible and enough to only make my thirst for travel even stronger. Getting away to New England was a much needed get away that allowed me to relax while also getting a major wake up call that was absolutely needed. Meeting my niece was one of the best moments of the year and watching her grow this past year has been such a joy, she really does bring joy to everyone she meets. Moving into my first apartment was an exciting adventure that has pretty much been a disaster since day one, but I am proud of this place and that my roommate and I worked hard for it. My first job has been challenging, exciting, exhausting, stressful, rewarding, and so much more. As for this so called journey… it really began in 2015, but 2016 held the majority of it as well as the actual start of the relationship and let me tell you, it was and continues to be a huge blessing. 

Twenty Sixteen was a time for growing and figuring out who I am and who I want to be. It was a roller coaster ride that seemed to go down hill at a rapid pace and ever so slowly crawl back up only to crash down again.

The year began with me feeling completely lost, confused, and hurt. It is safe to say I went a little crazy for the first part of the year. I tested limits and pushed myself to the point of almost breaking, until I did break. I also learned how to put my personal feelings aside to be there for someone else even when it hurt me to do so. I learned that sometimes you have to let go of something in order to determine if it truly is worth holding onto. I learned that when I think I cannot handle anything else, I can actually probably handle about twice that. I learned that no matter how many times I push my relationship with God to the side, He is always there waiting patiently for me to come crawling back (However, I feel like I learn this on a regular basis).

I was ready for 2016 to end, not because it was a terrible or horrible year, but because naturally when one year ends another begins. It is the first time in many years that I did not watch the clock strike midnight on New Years Eve with expectations that everything was going to change and that I was finally getting to leave the past behind me and move on. For the first time in a while, I watched the clock strike midnight with contentment.

2017.

So, what will this year hold? We are eight days in and so far it has been a pretty good year. I am still totally and completely in over my head at work, but the work I get to do is more than worth it. My apartment is {currently} not a disaster, but last time I said that water started spewing from kitchen cabinets and the ceiling. I do not think I could be any happier with my relationship and the man that I get to talk to every day and see *almost* whenever I want to (and anyone who knows my {short} history with relationships knows that this is a big deal).

I do not do new year’s resolutions because I am constantly making goals for myself. Right now, my goals include: learning how to be calm and organized in complete chaos (aka my job and apartment), taking care of myself physically as sickness has seemed to take root and does not want to ever leave, taking care of myself mentally by writing and reading more often, and continuing to strengthen my walk with Christ because I believe that is the absolute key to being mentally and physically healthy.

While I do not want to rush 2017 in the least bit, it will be interesting to see what the next new year’s post will consist of. I have thoughts and ideas of what I want 2017 to look like, but as we all know our plans hardly ever go according to plan. 

So, here’s to a new year.

And always remembering that life is A storm You can Weather