2016 was a very tough year.
Very early on in April, I had my heart brutally broken. And I spent the better part of the year hating myself because of it. I felt small and insignificant. I doubted my value, my self worth, and my ability to be loved. I felt both fear and shame that who I was just wasn’t good enough.
Bless my brother, my parents, and my roommate who were so extremely patient and supportive, as they watched me cry myself to sleep almost every single night for months on end. I have never been so absolutely inconsolable. As hard as it all was on me, I know how hard it was for them as well. But they did their best to help me put back the pieces of my heart and my life together. They helped me rediscover that there is still life outside of love, and that there are still endless possibilities to pursue new passions, to embark on new adventures, and to find a renewed sense of purpose. And little by little, I started to recognize bits and pieces of my old self again.
2016 brought so many twists and turns that challenged me every step of the way. It pushed me to come face to face with some of my biggest fears and and reflect on my biggest regrets. The year changed me. And I’m sure in ways it fortified my sense of self and made me stronger. Looking back on the year, I can accept the things that happened, and I can forgive myself for the things I didn’t do.
But 2016, you are definitely not a year that will be missed.