2017 was a good year. I have not been able to say that in the past few years, but damn it, 2017, for me personally, was a good year. It was a year that flew but also felt like forever. It was a year where I realized who my real friends are, where I learned how to become so much stronger by letting go and by being busy, where I learned that my life is transient and I have to stick with it no matter how much it hurts sometimes, where I truly, for the first time since 2014, can say that I think I am really, actually happy to be alive. I am too strong to feel otherwise. Even if Iām not happy all the time about it because, no doubt, I still have those incredibly low moments where I donāt leave my bed for an entire day because I just canāt get out, I can feel what itās like to have reasons for moving forward in amazing ways.
Things that have helped me believe in this year:
1. Friends. I have made some friends this year that I love so much, and feel that love in return. I have also lost some friends or seen who they really are and realized that I cannot change someone Iām unhappy with, and thatās ok. I canāt love everything about everyone.
2. Running an organization as president has been the hardest, but most rewarding task Iāve done in my life, and I love that I can be powerful enough to get shit done.
3. Becoming a real adult, which is scary but exciting. Getting into grad school, doing real people things.
4. Spending 3 months in Spain was the biggest highlight of my year. It was wonderful, and I miss that place dearly with all of my heart.
5. Thereās all the hatred that goes on in this world, but all the love that is stronger than hate. There is anger in me, and things I wish I could do in the world, but I am small. And Iāve started somewhere. And Iām powerful with what I can doā¦so far.
6. And then thereās the little things, like Sam Smithās new album, beautiful writing, bagels, goat cheese, words my patientās have said to me at the hospital, and something Iāve especially come to terms with this year: the unknown. I donāt know what I believe in spiritually, I donāt know who I will be working with in my career. I donāt know many things, but this all means I am open-minded, and Iām learning to love that uncertainty.
In 2018, I want to rid all the hatred in the world. But that is the most unmanageable place to start, so Iāll start with a disability advocacy event. I want to self-publish my poetry book and gain a following. I want to eat healthier and maybe find a workout I enjoy besides running. I want to travel this summer, but also work and learn how to better manage money. I want to continue to be strong, most importantly.
If youāve read this all (probably not because itās super long), happy new year, and cheers to 2017 but mostly cheers to the newness of 2018.