Dear 2017,

Man, what a year. I went through a lot and I definitely learned so much more than I had expected. There were a lot of great moments and not-so-great moments. In order to properly ring in the new year, I thought I should compose a goodbye letter to you, the year that definitely made my head spin.

For starters, I started out this past year a little rough. With our newly elected president and still dealing with one heck of a break-up, you threw me for quite a loop right off the bat. However, the year was far from all bad.

2017, you were the year that I came face to face with my demons. I confronted my anxiety, my sexual assault, my flaws, etc. I learned that I do not have to suffer through hardships and pain alone. I learned that there are people who have gone through what I have and are willing to share in the healing processes. I learned how to forgive the people and things that caused me pain, for my own betterment. I was able to realize my flaws, stare them in the face, and embrace them.

Not only did I confront these things, but I did so publicly. Joining the Odyssey gave me a platform to speak my truth and be who I am without any apologies. That leads me to the next subject, I joined the Odyssey in 2017 and it has been one of the best things I have ever done. Being a creator for the Odyssey has provided me with an artistic freedom I didn't know I had desired. I can write anything I chose and feel proud of the pieces that I have created.

You also brought me one of my favorite humans. In late January of 2017, I met my boyfriend. Though we met a little unconventionally, my relationship has been one of the best surprises I received in the last year. The year has brought me someone that is completely different than anyone I had ever met before. He has challenged me in every way imaginable, pushed me to be my best, and has shown me the kind of love I never knew existed. Of all of the things you have thrown at me, he has to be my favorite.

I had the opportunity to learn which of my friends would be permanent and which would be the ones that leave. Though some may see this as a bit of a negative thing, I appreciate it. The friends that proved to be the ones that stay were the ones that have helped me through some of the hardest parts of my year and I owe them so much.

The most important thing, however, was the amount of growth I did in 2017. I started 2017 as a frazzled mess. But through the support of my friends and family, I had the opportunity to improve on my shortcomings and get my life more together. I am much more put together and I have goals set in place that I would not have even thought of at the beginning of the year.

So 2017, here's to you and everything that happened in my time with you. I will take your lessons and memories with me as I navigate through 2018. I can't say I'll miss you, but it definitely hasn't been the worst year of my life.