Picture your life 5 years ago. Where were you sitting during this time of day? What was your passion? What were your goals? 2011 may seem far from this point in time, but it really wasn't that long ago. Within 5 years a lot has happened to yourself and to the world around you.

In 2011 I would have been 15, turning 16. My one goal in life was to be able to drive a car, and my main focuses were my friends and boys. I was living at home as a high school student, and I could never actually picture myself past the age of 17. It was hard for me to imagine my life and my future, because every time I tried, all I could see was black. Looking back on it, I probably felt as if nothing was ever going to be different or get better from that point on. Or maybe I just didn't ever think I would turn into an adult. That being an angsty teenager was all life would ever be.

I don't know how I made it through those 5 years. I especially don't know how I ended up in the position I am in today- being more than okay. I went from not being able to see a slice of light to having my entire tunnel turn into day-time. My dreams changed from only wanting to move out and find a husband to wanting to be able to support my own self and enjoy life for what it is.

I am now 20, an age I never thought I would see or live as. It's actually amazing to think that I am now this person I could never picture myself being. In the moment, living those 5 years felt as if I was sitting in a car that had to make a pit stop every 5 minutes. Now, I don't know where the time went, honestly. Those pit stops along the way helped form the person I am now. I am finally happy- a feeling I thought I would never consistently feel. I can see myself turning 25 someday, getting married someday, having a career, and signing for my first house. It's amazing how a little bit of happiness can turn into your flashlight to guide you through the rest of the tunnel.