Things I Learned In 2015

This year was clearly written at the end of 2015. I hope you enjoy this blog post that I just found!

As this year comes to a close, I have learned the mistakes I’ve made this year have really cost me a lot. I’ve lost people that I really love and care about; people that I would still to this day give up anything for. I’ve lost friends and family who decided I “wasn’t worth their time.” I’ve gotten surgery and I’ve been to the hospital 4 times this year. I’ve gotten a new job that I absolutely love and adore with every inch in my body. I’ve learned a lot about myself and I react to different situations. I’ve grown up and I’ve learned how I want to change myself for the future.

This year I’ve had a lot to be thankful for.

For starters, I have the most wonderful best friends in the whole world. No, I have the most wonderful and supportive and incredible best friends in the whole world. I would not be making it into 2016 without them. Through out 2015 I have dealt with so many different issues and each one of my best friends has been there to support me. Some best friends I have lost along the way but I do want to take a moment to recognize how thankful I am for each.

Ashley, you are actually my twin. (Sorry, Emily). I am so thankful that on March 21^st 2015 I met you at LifeWay. Thank you for changing the way that I think about a lot of things in life. Thank you for being my best friend this year. Thank you for always looking out for me and telling me to go home when I’m sick at work and always making fun of me. But most of all, thank you for all the late night Fridays and Saturdays and the last minute trips to Jacksonville and Tampa with Jewel. I love you.

Kathryn, this year we have grown incredibly close. After living with you for 3 months-ish, I think it’s safe to say I’m part of the family. Thank you for the last minute sleep overs and trips to the movies (you’re the reason I’m addicted to watching and going to the movies). Thank you for being so understanding and loving even when I’m an awful friend. Thank you for taking care of me before, during, and after my surgery. I love you.

Lauryn, you are forever going to be my Disney princess. I love you to the moon and back. Thank you for all the hour long phone conversations. Thank you for always having my back even from like 2 hours away. Thank you for staying the same and always being there to pick up with me right where we left off, like no time has passed. Thank you for the last minute campus tour of UNF (your school is perfect). Thank you for always being so reliable and wonderful and sweet. I love you.

This isn’t everyone that has impacted my life, that is for sure. SO many people have had a huge impact on my life and I am so incredibly thankful for everyone that has stuck around.

This year I have learned more about myself. I have learned that I have depression, anxiety and PTSD. Not only that but I have learned how to deal with them. I have also learned that I have endometriosis in my genes. I’ve learned that my surgery really messed with my memory. I’ve learned that I am a visual learner. I’ve learned that if isn’t written down, I wont remember it. I’ve learned that writing and blogging is literally my most favorite and most loved hobby that I have. I’ve learned that my heart can handle more than I thought it ever could. I’ve learned that going on trips and trying new things and just getting out is my most loved passion and I can’t wait to see where I go in the future.

This year I’ve also learned many things about life.

• Moving on is okay. This year was the year that I finally freed myself from a weight that I have been carrying for a year. Moving on from a person who was there through it all and who I loved the most for so long, was so incredibly hard. I fought it. I didn’t want to give up. I didn’t want to call it quits. But when I did, I realized how happy and free I was. Ironically, October 31^st 2015, I told myself that was that and I was done and it was my turn to be happy.
• You truly will find some incredible best friends in your lifetime. My last two years of high school I met my best friends and I could not be more grateful.
• Life is not fair and life is hard. This year I have dealt with losing friends, boyfriends, dealing with car problems (and lots of them), etc. But in order to fully hear what God is telling you to do, you have to stop and listen. Forget the hassle and the rush and the pain and just listen. What is he telling you to do?
• It’s okay to be weak and ask for help. This year (March 13^th to be exact) I was taken to BMH and I received the help that I needed. I still find myself struggling but I’m certainly not where I am. You will have your weak days and that’s okay. It’s okay to ask someone for help. It’s okay to be weak and ask someone to just be there for you. But DO NOT GIVE UP. You are worth it and I promise that you will make it. No matter what you’re going through right now, you can do this.
• School is worth it. As much as I was dreading going to school again, college has been incredible for me. I have met some incredible people that are changing my life as we speak. Since I am finishing this blog post about two months later than I intended (February 2016 now), I have realized that the friends I have made in college have been so incredible for me. This semester I have met and become closer with people I thought I would never be close with or nonetheless even talk to again. I am so thankful that I decided to continue my education. It’s hard but it is so worth it.
• Another thing I learned about in 2015 is I see a crap ton of movies. I’ve started making a memory jar and I fill it with all of the fun things I did that year and on New Years Eve we go through our jars as a family. Turns out 2015 was the year for good movies to come out…. That and I’m just a movie addict (thanks to Kathryn and the Shaw family).

I seriously can't wait to see where 2016 takes me. New adventures, new blogs, new experiences, and new amazing stories to tell. I hope you're ready for this ride with me.