I've made many amazing friends over the past year thanks in part to my previous job and the new career path I embarked on in April. Through these experiences, I've been lucky to grown to share bonds with people that I feel will never be broken. Many of my work family has become personal family to me as well and I'm thankful for each and every person I've met.
This year, I was able to reconnect with several friends from my past. Although we may now be spread across the country, and even the world, the stories and laughter we have shared brings back fond memories of years before and I look forward to staying in touch.
I've loved and lost, felt the tears of both joy and pain, and know that in the long run that I will emerge a stronger person for the struggles I've experienced.
The last several months of the year have been plagued with some of the darkest times of my life. Although I've had my friends and family with me through my journey, at times, I've felt extremely isolated. Mental illness has taken form in extreme anxiety and depression. Battling days where I physically don't have the energy to get out of bed paired with not having an appetite to eat and the weakness it's caused has put even more strain on myself. Being sad and crying for no reason doesn't feel natural to me, a normally fairly upbeat person. Feeling like you've lost your sense of identity is not only frustrating, but heartbreaking as well.
Over the next few days, weeks, months, and all throughout the upcoming year, I will be working towards reclaiming myself. Finding the tools and support system to get my feet back on the ground and the smile back on my face. There are going to be some big changes in my future, as I will not let mental illness define me.
I'm looking forward to this year, to pushing myself to be the most positive person I know how to be. I'm excited for the future and where my path will take me next.