Gratitude | The Start of 2017

In Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston wrote, "There are years that ask questions and years that answer." 2016 felt like something in-between. It was a year of immense transition, self-reflection, and healing.

Of all of the growing that I have achieved since moving to NYC, 2016's growth is one for the books. I quit my well-paying job in order to prioritize my health, passions, and values; I flew across the country to bring in my 23rd birthday (San Francisco, California); I traveled by myself, internationally, twice (Martinique + Portugal); I became closer to, and shared myself with, both new + old friends; I (finally) learned how to let go of toxic relationships; I opened myself up to new love; I lived a life I would have never imagined.

The growth has been challenging, but not as painful as in past years. I'm well aware that I'm on a steady incline - that this is the 'glo-up' that everyone talks about. There are still days that I'm short-sighted and moments that I catch myself comparing my trajectory to others'. But what I'm realizing is that this is my life and no one else's. I am learning and growing at exactly the pace I need to; I am endlessly working toward becoming better and better versions of myself. 

I feel hopeful moving into 2017. I think that, politically, it's going to be a trying year. But emotionally, I'm better than I've ever been. Somehow I keep learning, keep pushing, keep growing. Somehow I manage to consistently one-up myself. In 2016, I did a lot of self-reflection and healing; I asked the universe to help me to become more aligned with my purpose, and to teach me to learn to let go of the things that do not serve me. And, as rough as it was at times, I learned. As the year closes, it truly feels like the end of a long, long chapter. 

For 2017, I feel something powerful brewing. Thinking about the new year almost brings me to tears, but they're tears of joy -  I don't know what I'm so happy about just yet, but I feel in sure that this is going to be a powerful and positive year.

I'm on the cusp of blooming. I'm ready to dig deep.

How is the new year feeling for you?