january thoughts

January and I have a close bond. It's a month of fresh starts and new years, for both the world and for me. I love this time of year because everyone seems so sure of themselves, in the best kind of way. Yes, it's the time of year for sometimes unrealistic goals and expectations, but sometimes it's just what we need to feel inspired. January does that for me, anyway. In January, on this Sunday, I turn a year older. While I realize that I still have so much to learn in the years to come, I think that this past year, if anything else, was a year of personal growth in so many ways.

This past year, I learned how to survive a classroom of thirty small children and still leave them each day ready to return the next. To this day, when I see them learning and growing because of something I taught, said, or did, I know I'm where I'm supposed to be. In 2013, I learned that living on your own can bring along some of the most liberating, exciting, frightening, and amazing times of your life. More than that, living on your own with other people, one of whom is your significant other, can be all of that and more. (Plus a few more happy hours.)

Sometimes in this past year, I cried. I cried tears of exhaustion, tears of happiness and sadness, tears from watching a Parenthood episode or a Google commercial, and of course, there were a couple of just because tears, too. 2013 was good for the soul. This year, I traveled. I visited a few of the best friends in a few different cities and rekindled my love for seeing new places and trying new things. I went through phases, realized that I have a lot of passions and goals that have yet to reach their full potential, and began to understand that there are plenty of things I still want to do with my life; some of which I'm sure I haven't even discovered. Yes, 2013 was absolutely a year of growth.

I celebrated the end of 2013 in New York, where I realized a few things about how I want my life to look in 2014. For one, I want this year to be filled with lots of traveling and new experiences. Getting a chance to spend time in Brooklyn made me realize that I would love to visit, or even live in, new cities in my lifetime. I want 2014 to be spent with the people that make life better, just by being a part of it. This year, if there's something I want to do or learn or try or experience, I don't to wait or make excuses or be afraid. I just want to do. I want to spend more time living outside of my comfort zone, yet also spend time being comfortable and content. 2014 will be a good year, I can just feel it.

In two days, 2014 makes me turn 24. This number makes me feel old, yet still young -- a little bit stuck in the middle, if you will. I'm determined to make 2014 and 24 the exact opposite; just where I'm supposed to be. Next time you hear from me, I'll be 24 and "stuck in the middle" perhaps, but definitely enjoying the show. And, of course, always making room for chocolate.

Happy Friday, friends.