2017 Reflections

Happy (Belated) New Year!! As the year is starting off, I wanted to take some time to reflect on the past year before coming up with my 2018 New Year Resolutions (obviously procrastinating is still something I need get around to working on).

2017 has been a roller coaster, that’s for sure! I began the ride having just fulfilled my glamorous dream of moving into the city. Soon after, friends from all over (one even flew in from Seattle) celebrated my birthday with me at a foam party I threw in my boyfriend’s garage. My heart was so full of love and happiness, I was on top of the world.

Over the next months, I hit a few twists and turns at work, but overall, I was living it up in the city. In June, my best friend moved in with me! Between rooming with the bestie, coffee breaks with work friends, weekend adventures, and nights in with the boyfriend, I was on my way to the Friends/How-I-Met-Your-Mother life I’ve always idealized my 20’s to be.

That is, until my manager threw me in for a loop. He dangled a promotion in front of me, like a stupid carrot, so that I would work my ass off, only to yank it away and lay me off instead. In all honestly, I was actually relieved. I flipped my shitty situation up-side-down and gave myself a well-deserved break as I moved in with my loving boyfriend and spent two weeks traveling in Spain with some old friends.

When I returned, I dove straight into the job hunt, but every awkward interview or disheartening rejection rattled my diminishing self-esteem. Bored and uninspired, I lost a sense of purpose. Much like Betty Draper, my days were spent waiting for my boyfriend to come home from work. Thankfully, in a sharp turn of events, my boyfriend left his job and I was saved from boredom. I ended my year celebrating my favorite time of the year surrounded by dear friends and family.

Looking back, I’ve actually had a pretty great year! I can’t believe how crippling and addicting negativity can be. It became so rampant that I let a job (or lack thereof) define my purpose and self-worth. To help rebuild my confidence and regain a sense of purpose, I spent the whole first week of 2018 decluttering the apartment. I figured that by symbolically purging all unnecessary negativity in my life, I can make room for a life full of love and passion. I’m off to a good start so far, and I’m very excited see what this year will bring I’ll make of 2018!