
Dear 2016,
I want to start out by thanking you. You threw a lot of changes, hardships and surprises my way, but every one of them taught me something and made me stronger. I also want to thank you for all of the beautiful, fun, magical moments you brought to me. If you talk to 2017, tell it to send a few more of those my way this year.
I started out the year pushing myself out of my comfort zone and signing up for an improv class. That decision turned out to be one of the best of the year. Improv brought me a new group of friends, gave me a hobby to focus on once a week, and also taught me countless life lessons. Though I decided to stop improv a few months ago, I will always be grateful for the time I spent with it in 2016.
You brought one of the biggest changes of my life in March, 2016, moving into my very own apartment and learning to live all by myself for the first time. I remember agonizing over the decision of whether or not I wanted to live alone, but now that it has been about nine months, I am so glad I did. Being by myself has forced me to be more independent, and has also made me to learn how to balance alone time with social time, something I think I have been doing a great job of in the last few months.
2016, you really made me work for things this year. You pushed me to stop being lazy in life, and to go after what I want. This has manifested in many different aspects of my life, from improving my physical and mental health to being happier in my social and work life. I feel much more confident in what I want and what I need to do to get it, and I know I will only continue to be better about this in 2017.
You really tested my ability to stay positive during the last two months of the year, but in doing so, actually taught me to be more optimistic. At times it felt as though the hardship and tragedy was never ending; a breakup, the loss of a childhood friend, changes at work, political strife in our country. Through it all I managed to stay positive, and learned healthy coping mechanisms to get me through the days. I also learned the important lesson that no matter how bad things seem, there is always something to smile about.
As I write this in the new year, I am so happy with where last year took me. I learned so much about myself and I grew a lot as a person, and I can honestly say that I am the happiest I have been in a while. I have an incredible support system around me, from friends to family to coworkers, and in some cases, these relationships have been strengthened by the tough times I had to face.
So thank you, 2016, for all of the moments that made up this year, good and bad. I wouldn’t be where I am right now without them. I can’t wait to see what 2017 will bring!
– Shelly
This is beautiful, Shelly. Happy New Year!
Thank you! Happy New Year to you too! 🙂
This is such a wonderful post. I’m so happy for you that you learned and grew so much. May 2017 be just as wonderful!
Thank you so much! Hope you have a wonderful 2017 as well! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Nice post!
Thank you! 🙂
sounds like an amazing year! great post:) come check out my blog at http://www.poshandspicy.com would love to get your imput xx toby
Thank you so much! I’ll definitely check it out! 🙂
I love improv. So much fun! I Hope 2017 treats you well!
Thank you! Yes, improv is a blast! Definitely learned a lot from it too.
Happy new year. Hope it turns out well for you.
Happy New Year to you too! Thanks for reading!
Happy new year! May 2017 turn out just as wonderful!
Thank you! Same to you! 🙂
Wow, 2016 sounds like a very up and down year, but what a great reflection! I hope 2017 has a lot more positives and life lessons for you!!
It definitely was. Thank you! I hope the same for you! 🙂
This is so wonderful post. Happy new year. 🙂
Thank you! Happy New Year to you as well! 🙂
What a sweet and well-written post! It sounds like you are ready to tackle whatever comes up this year and make it a good one, no matter what happens. 🙂
Thanks so much! I’m definitely looking forward to 2017 and hopeful it will be a great year! 🙂