When 2016 started I had genuinely hoped that this would be a good year. I really hoped it would be the year that I turned my outlook on life around and the positive energy I was trying to put out would come back to me. Now that the year is a little over halfway over, I can honestly say that this has been one of my most trying years. This summer alone brought so much stress into my life that I'm shocked I genuinely haven't lost my mind. So in an attempt not only to maintain what little sanity I have left and to keep myself focused on the positive, I have come up with a list of six things that I am grateful for this year so far.

1. Seeing Panic! At The Disco

My friends and I probably have an unhealthy obsession with Panic! At The Disco, so being able to see them from the second row with my best friends was an amazing experience. Brendon Urie is such a talented singer and performer that even if you didn't like the band, the concert was still great.

2. Doing A Color Run

Well technically it was a "Rainbow Run" held by my school and I may have only ran in the very beginning and then walked the rest. However, it was a great experience and for a great cause that is close to my heart. As always, having your close friends with you makes the experience that much better.

3. Spending Time With Family

I've said it once and I'll say it again, but I really do value time spent with my family. Besides, they're the only ones who understand just how crazy you truly are.

4. Seeing Guns 'N' Roses

Because my brother and I are the greatest kids to ever exist, we bought my dad tickets for Father's Day to go see one of his all-time favorite bands. As a Guns 'N' Roses fan myself, I can say this concert was on a totally different level than any other concert I have ever seen. Despite the fact that I was sick, I still had an incredible time and think that it might be one of the top concerts I've ever been to.

5. Taking Another Trip With My Friends

I wrote a previous article about the first beach trip I took with my friends to the Jersey Shore and I am so happy that we got to take another one. Even though we didn't have as much time as the beach, my summer wouldn't have been what it was without that time at my favorite place with my favorite people.

6. My Second Ever Article Getting Over 9,000 Shares

While this is a slight shameless promo, I was genuinely surprised when this article took off. It was only the second article I had written and I'm still not sure how or why it took off. It is easily still one of my greatest accomplishments and you can check it out here.