2016, I can’t figure you out yet. Granted, we’re only 4 months in, but those past 4 months in retrospect have presented me with a mishmash of situations that have left me ranging from z) sobbing until I couldn’t breathe, until my eyes were red with fatigue, to a) bubbly, laughing uncontrollably and hopeful in every sense of the word. I like to say I think I understand why the bad occurrences happened, and that I’ve grown from them, but I can’t deny there are days where I’m still practically immobile from grief, maybe triggered by something stupid like a Timehop post. I’m not always at 100%; I’ll mope, nag, lay around and feel sorry for myself more often than I’d be proud to admit. Things aren’t always looking up for me and new stresses seem to be added to my supposed never ending pile of responsibilities. But there’s good parts to it all. I’m almost done with school this semester, which means I’m one step closer to completing my bachelor’s in psychology. I have a secure support system helping me figure out what I should do with my degree. I’m hopeful in sending in applications for a new second job that won’t be related to the food industry and will give me new experience in a more professional work environment. I have Photoshop and Illustrator downloaded, meaning I have easier access to obtaining practice in digital art. I’m watching what I eat more and I have a membership with a gym which I’m hoping to visit at least 3 or 4 times a week. I have friends that make me feel special and help me to appreciate all that good things that I do, even when I can’t see it myself. I’m a growing adult who has come a long way since a year ago; I have new experiences, new friendships and new knowledge under my belt and I’m striving to better myself even further by this time next year. Times aren’t perfect. I have flaws, I have lost important people, I still give in to my late night junk food cravings and I still can never muster up enough energy to clean my mess of a room. But I’m lucky to the point where I think of my blessings and I smile so widely I feel like sunshine is radiating off of my face. I have a good life, and I’m trying to remember that whenever I compare myself to someone else. I am me, I lead a unique life with unique circumstances and while another person may have something I do not have, that some person could be thinking the same thing about me. I am motivated, diligent, and most of all, I have hope that this year will be abundant in lessons, acts of love, and progress.