2018 was wild.
Turn on the news, scroll through social media, or say the wrong thing during a Holiday dinner with family, and you’ll very quickly understand just how fractured the United States, the world, and our society is. There is dissension, division, and divisiveness that permeates every facet of our lives. Everything is problematic, people are constantly triggered, and civil communication frequently turns into combative arguments.
I’ll admit, I don’t always help ease the tension either. My blog can be heavy at times. I write a lot about mental health, the state of Black America, and a lot of other heavy topics. But at least for December, I promised myself I would focus on the positive, and keep my blog light. It is the holiday season after all. And although I hate the fake cheerfulness we are oftentimes subjected to this time of year, it is still a welcome reprieve in a what is the start to a very cold, dreary, and dark few months (or in my part of the country 6 months).
The best way to sum up this year is just, wild.
Wild has become a catchall phrase for the unbelievable, ridiculous, and WTF stuff that happens seemingly every day. Though I could delve into the millions of wild moments 2018 brought us collectively, I won’t. There are many other outlets for that. Instead, I’m focusing on the wild year that was my 2018.
I have gone through so many twists, turns, and reinventions of myself over the past 12 months I am shocked I’ve made it to the end with my sanity intact.
The start of the year was a challenge. 2017 ended with me feeling quite lost and entered the new year without a clear direction. The growing pains of adulting were hitting me hard. My career path was making me unhappy. I learned how to navigate relationships and meet new people in a small town. I felt swamped by the financial burdens that being an adult brought (student loans, car payments, and exorbitant rent oh my!).
Through all this came the biggest positive of 2018. I started this blog. After being unsure about myself for years, I finally stopped being afraid and became a blogger. Though I’ve always blogged for other sites, to make a blog on my own really was a test of my willpower to keep writing after college.
Anxiety was a huge buzzword for me this year. It was only recently though that I realized, I cause a lot of the stressors in my life. This isn’t to say that otherwise, my life would be easy peasy, it’s just that, I have always struggled to accept the things I can’t control. This year, I constantly found myself in positions where my life could change in an instant, and I had no idea how to deal with them in a healthy way. Now, I feel much more equipped in handling the unexpected things life brings and I am so excited to close out this year strong and start off 2019 with a renewed sense of self.
Speaking of closing out the year strong, I have to take a moment and reflect on the incredible experiences I’ve had all year long and they’re not stopping anytime soon. This year I traveled to Boston, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Toronto, and Italy. Even with just 3 weeks left in the year, I’m adding Las Vegas and Orlando to my list of vacations in 2018. I love exploring new places, whether it’s a place an hour away, or a few time zones away.
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This year was a huge milestone as well, as I turned 25. Some people say 25 is a turning point in your life. It’s that barrier between being a fresh out of college adult and a slightly seasoned pro at adulting. Though I tend not to believe the hype about age, this did prove true. I became more self-assured and resolute this year, I started to reexamine relationships: ending some, adding new ones, and even rekindling abandoned ones. Most importantly, I started to find myself in the workplace and made some huge realizations about what I wanted in a career. I started the year off looking for any way to quit my job and ended the year with a promotion I was not expecting. Even better, I didn’t lose sight of my goals and despite all of that, I’m in the process of applying to graduate school and am eagerly awaiting to see where I get accepted.
2018 was wild, but it also has given me many reasons to celebrate. So for that reason, I’m keepin’ it light this month. Lot’s of fun posts, exciting giveaways, and joy and cheer.
What was a highlight of your 2018? Let me know in the comments below!
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It sounds like you had an amazing year girl!!! There were some ups and downs, but you seem to be very reflective; which means that most likely you were able to see the lessons in all of the downs. I hope you have an amazing New Year!!! 2019 is going to be “wild”, as well!
Def sounds pretty wild if you ask me. 2018 just came and left it feels like, I thought it would be a year of change, it was still a year of lessons and trying to get things under control more or less.
I totally agree that 2018 was a wild year as well. I am a year older than you and I feel like I still don’t have my stuff together haha.
sounds like you’ve experienced quite tremendous growth through your circumstance and experiences. you’ve got a great head on your shoulders and i love that you shed light on the heavier topics, thanks for sharing your accomplishments. cheers to you!
As I was reading I was thinking, “she must have turned about 25” and then you said you did! It’s really a wild age where so much falls off, overwhelms, and expands and grows. And this year as a whole was definitely wild lol
Definitely sounds like you’ve had a wild year! Ready and looking forward to all the good things coming in 2019
I’ve had many highlight this year and it’s hard to pick one — so I’ll pick a few. I’ve had some crazy life changes that only a few people know about, I’ve lost relationships but gained new ones, started my blog, and purged some serious toxicity. 2018 has been wild AF but it’s been great!!!!
I need to start examining my 2018. It was definitely wild in the fact I started the year with a go i job, found a new amazing job then loss my boss to another company ?. But over all it was another decent year of growth as I get ready to head into 32. Great post and I just can back from Orlando!
I’m on the same page with you. I turned 26 and it was a year of revelations.
Anxiety is something I deal with too and it is NOT easy. I can’t wait to read some of your posts!
I only hope I can be as wise, adventurous, and bold as you by the time my 25th birthday rolls around.
I think a highlight of my year was making the choice to start seeing a therapist! It was probably the best decision I’ve ever made!
Girl, good for you, I was a mess when I turned 25! And you’re right, there’s no other way to describe this year other than wild!
Learning to stop being afraid is one of the best feelings ever. Recaps are great for growth love the post
My highlight of the year is starting my blog as well. I have been contemplating it for a while and finally took that step.
Congratulations!
I think it is important that we acknowledge the low and high in life. The low’s keep me humbled. The low gives me the eagerness to keep pushing and working towards my purpose. Of course the high’s will give you the sense of accomplishment/self-worth. Although, 2018 has been a rough one for me, but with a lot of accomplishments. I am thankful and ready to tackle 2019.
Same! I feel like I tend to focus on the lows so much though so I wanted to make a stronger effort to look back at all the highs
My highlight of this year would have to be recognizing a bad situation (personal and career) and being strong enough to walk away from both.
Taking that first step is always hard but I’m glad you did!
Being able to look back over your year is great. It shows you so much about your growth.