What Will You Do In A Year?

A year. 12 months, 52 weeks, 356 days. Unless it’s a leap year. 356 days seems like a long time but this lapse of time has the ability to mean so much more. A year can give you hope. Hope for happiness, hope for change, hope to chase your dreams. This next year can give you all of these things, but mostly this next year should challenge you to face your fears.

Where were you a year ago? Living at home or moving out? Hanging with friends or spending time with family? Were you single looking for Mr. or Ms. Right? Stop and think for a second, what did you want in that moment? Did you gain what you wanted? Did you strive to reach your goals? Why not? Think about it, did you not try hard enough to get where you wanted to go?

Exactly a year ago I was stuck in a relationship that I thought was good. I thought he was the right one, my forever. A step back made me realize that this wasn’t true. Could I blame it on him, No. I was slowly hating my life and finding ways to get out. Then one day it clicked. Life is too short to suffer. I was the keeper of my own happiness and I was the only one who could make a change.

Now I’m single and happy. I no longer feel suffocated and begging to please. I am being selfish for the first time. I’ve learned how to bake and cook. I spend my spare time looking up recipes. I can now make the best cookies from scratch. I make healthy dinners every night. I have more girl’s nights and I have realized who my true friends are. I am happier then I have ever been. A year ago feels like a lifetime ago. But I will never forget what being unhappy has taught me. It’s okay to cry and take control of your sadness. It’s ok to walk away from everything you have ever known. You will be okay.

Although I have made changes in my life I believe that there is always more to learn. That’s why this year I am going to continue to grow and learn from my experiences. In the next year I am going to travel and see new things. Meet new people and make new friends. Learn to be content with being alone. Focus on myself and my mindfulness. Be more kind to those around me. Be more kind to myself. This next year, like every other one that follows it, will be a year to grow.

Learn from me, this year don’t let time fly by. Take hold of the next 356 days. Make the best of this time and decide what you really want from life. This can be moving forward, or staying right where you are. I’m not saying that you have to be single to be happy. This also doesn’t mean that being single means being alone. Don’t make stupid resolutions that you aren’t going to follow. Don’t make a list of things to change. Just do it. Live life each day striving for what you want.

Make the most out of this next year. A year from now you will be looking back wishing that you had.