2018: A Reflection | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

2018: A Reflection

"We all have the opportunity to improve ourselves; mentally, physically, and spiritually."

ItsGenavieve
Dec 21, 2018
University of Arizona
270
2018: A Reflection
Photo by A L L E F . V I N I C I U S Δ on Unsplash

It's actually quite unbelievable how quickly this year has slowly come to an end. I remember watching the New Year's ball drop for 2018 like it was yesterday. Now, in a few weeks, I'm going to see the same for 2019.

I think this is a great time for everyone to take a minute to reflect how 2018 has shaped them into the person that will be entering the new year. Every year we change, even if it feels like we don't. But, it's so important to recognize the big and small changes that have occurred in our lives because that is the only way we can grow for next year. And while I love reflecting on the positive moments I have had it is crucial to acknowledge the negatives.

Maybe this year was the absolute best for some of you, but I know that for many it was the complete opposite. And this is why it's important to weigh the negatives and positives on an equal scale because both sides can affect us in an incredible way. Whatever happened to you this year, know that it happened for a reason and that you have something so much better coming your way.

We have all had bad years, I know I have. At the time I may not have "understood" why certain things happened to us or why we didn't get the things that we wanted. But now as I reflect on those past "bad" years, I know the reasons why things happened the way they did. Use those moments and allow yourself to be molded by them and I promise you will come back so much stronger.

And I get it, entering a new year can be incredibly scary, mysterious, and intimidating; but do your best to start off on a positive note. Be ready for the new year with grace and make it your own! I know that sounds very cliche, but it's nothing but the truth. Being optimistic about what the new year has in store for you will help guide you to all of the right places. And I know this can be difficult for those who have just come out of a rough year, trust me I get it.

What would help me was to think about one thing I was grateful for in my life for that year and I would use that motivator every day in that next year. Before I knew it, that one reason snowballed into thousands of reasons as to why I needed to make that year amazing. Keep that reason in your brain, write it down on a sticky note, journal it. Do whatever you need to do.

The end of the year is a time to be transparent with yourself and it's the most crucial time to do so. Think about what you have done, hold yourself accountable for things that maybe you need to change, and use that to GROW! We all have the opportunity to improve ourselves; mentally, physically, and spiritually. Start today so you can be ready for tomorrow.

Happy New Year everybody!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

6 Unrealistic Expectations Society Has For Young Adults

Don't let the thesaurus-inspired vocabularies in our résumés fool you. We're actually just big kids.

University of Dayton
2267
boy in adult clothes

Well over four feet tall and 100 pounds in weight, many of us "young adults" of the world still consider ourselves children. Big, working, college-attending, beer-drinking children. We may live on our own, know how to cook noodles, and occasionally use a planner, but don't be fooled; the youthful tendencies that reside within us still make their way into our daily lives. From choosing to stay up until 3:00 a.m. playing video games on a school night to going out in 30 degree weather without a coat, we still make decisions that our parents and grandparents would shake their heads at in disappointment. So why are we expected to know exactly how to be a wise, professional, sensible adult? It's not that we're irresponsible (for the most part, anyway). It's that we are young, inexperienced, and still have the sought-after, enthusiastic mentality that we can do and be whatever we want, which has not yet been tarnished by the reality of the world. These are just a few of the unrealistic expectations that society has for young adults.

Keep Reading...Show less
young adults
Lifestyle

20 Reasons Why Pizza Is Basically Everyone's Best Friend

Seriously, who wouldn't love pizza?

Ball State University
2190
pizza
Fandango

There are a lot of foods in this world, but there is only one dish that stands above the rest: Pizza. If you're close to me or at least know who I am, then you know that I'm totally obsessed with pizza. It's one of my favorite things to eat and I will NEVER turn down a slice, even if it doesn't have my favorite toppings. There isn't a day that goes by where I'm not thinking about pizza. I even sleep with a pizza pillow every night! There are many reasons why pizza stands above all other foods, and here are just a couple reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
pizza
Swoon

Why I Love Being Single (And You Should, Too)

Dedicated to February 14

Truman State University
24804
sex and the city
Warner Bros. Television

1. You don't have to feel guilty about flirting with customers for tips (or just for shits and giggles).

2. You can be obnoxiously flirtatious with anyone you want. You are free to be that girl that flirts with everybody and makes 'em all smile (it's especially fun when the guy is as cute as Collin Jost). No shame.

3. Making random men nervous with your superior beauty and intense eye contact just for the hell of it is really amusing and empowering.

4. No one gives two poops if ya legs are hairy (your man shouldn't either but *Kermit the Frog meme* That's none of my business)

5. The toilet seat will remain down.

6. There's more money to spend on yourself.

7. There's always this secret butterfly in your tummy that marvels at the possibility that when you go out this weekend you're gonna meet someone super handsome/wonderful/prince-like and have this moment of dazzling dalliance.

8. Nothing is that serious...you can take it all with a grain of salt...you don't owe anybody anything.

9. You can dance with anyone and everyone...or no one (Hello frat boi w/ glasses, I see you).

10. You don't have to fluff anyone's ego but your own.

11. Free drinks and dinners from single guys (It's not taking advantage if they're offering; a girl's gotta eat).

12. You have more time to learn how to love and improve yourself rather than constantly pouring your energy into another person.

13. You don't have to sacrifice your cheesy Jen Aniston rom-coms and Gilmore Girls for his Fast and Furious/other dumb action movie featuring blonde that is only in the movie to supply a relationship to the male lead and to make him look more masculine/empowered in juxtaposition (In other words, you don't have to deal with a guy being a crabby Patty while you watch your cute movies).

14. You can daydream about what your future husband may be doing right now (and not get stressed/guilty out because you're not picturing your current boyfriend that's crazy about you as your future husband).

15. There is more time to be spent with your girlfriends.

single life
Entertainment

How Girls Night Out Turns Into Girls Night In

To go out or not to go out this Friday night...

Washington College
539
Girls Night In
Milk + Blush

We've all been there - you've been saying since Tuesday after French that this weekend is the weekend. You're finally going to break out those new heels and actually put on eyeliner on and make this Friday night be one for the memory books! That is, of course, until Girls Night Out turned into...Girls Night In.

Keep Reading...Show less
night out
Entertainment

What Is Your Zodiac GIF?

Characteristics of the astrological signs, explained through GIFS.

Eastern New Mexico University
790
zodiac
Wordpress

Whether you believe astrology is a legitimate "science" or not, we have all found ourselves looking at our horoscopes from time to time. The 12 astrological signs all fall under one of four elements: air, water, earth, or fire. Air signs are rational, social, and love to communicate with others. Water signs are are emotional, intuitive, and mysterious. Fire signs tend to be passionate, creative, and adventurous. Earth signs are conservative, realistic, and loyal.

Each sign is determined by the relative positions of celestial bodies to ourselves at our moment of birth, which is said to influence our personalities. Find your zodiac GIF below, based on the traits and characteristics provided by each sign.

***Disclaimer: GIFS are meant to be lighthearted and are based on descriptions of signs from http://www.astrology-zodiac-signs.com/.

Keep Reading...Show less
zodiac signs

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments