2017 Wrap-Up

my mom got me this calendar and one of those candles :) kinda super aesthetic.

I know, I know. This is the most common post title in the blogging community these days. But it's simple and easy and we are wrapping up the year, after all. 

2017 was a crazy, amazing, wonderful year. Not meaning it was all fun and every day I was happy and only good things happened to me. But I grew up a little more this year and became a little more of the person I'm hoping to be. 
It was anything but a boring year. 

Some highlights...

I turned 18. I started Senior year of high school. I got accepted to college. I had my first job interview. I rediscovered my immense love for sushi. I figured out that happiness isn't something that happens to us, it's a choice. I exercised regularly. I started spiritual direction and learned to take my relationship with God more seriously. I consecrated myself to Mary. I learned to properly drive in LA (sort of). The Thomas Fire came hurtling through my hometown and burned so much. I spent the first half of the year plotting my new book and spent the second half writing it. I took the SAT. I went to a two week college program over the summer, which definitely was two of the best weeks ever. I celebrated my three-year blogoversary. I went to Palm Springs with a bunch of my family. I participated in Kate's Blood Race Blog Tour! Over spring break, I went back to the East Coast which was an awesome trip. I privately published my last novel and held it in my hands for the first time. Back in January, I went up to San Francisco for the West Coast Walk For Life. 

It was a good year. 

I'm not really setting any goals for myself this year, as 2018 is probably going to be the craziest year of my life so far. I'm going to graduate high school in five short months and then in eight months I'll be off to college. I do have plans for this blog once I leave home in August to a new home where there is no consistent wifi... I do have plans, and I'll let you know what those plans are once that time comes. 

2018 is going to be a mountain. But I'm taking it step by step. 

Over the year I kept a list of things I learned throughout the year. I've done this for the past two years and I really like it (here's 2015 and here's 2016). Here's a compilation of what I learned in 2017: 

//Don't lie. Ever. 

//Stress is the worst, but tea helps

//Live in the moment!!

//You can be stressed and happy at the same time

//Take initiative!

//Beautiful little things happen :)

//Don't live a life of missed opportunities

//It's easier to be happy

//Who cares? Be happy anyway

//Sometimes it's not worth is; and you should be able to distinguish those moments from the moments where it's worth everything

//Hardship passes

//Compliment people :)

//I don't like competing

Let's talk!! How was your year? Do you have any goals? Happy New Year and thanks so much for reading!!