Although it’s coming at a tough time in my life this year, Thanksgiving is always a time to be thankful for what you have. So, I’m going to forget my stress and my life problems and be thankful for what I have, because I know I need to count my blessings despite the fact that sometimes I just want to hibernate for the rest of this year.

My family: I am so blessed to have the family that I have. My parents and my sister really mean the world to me and I’m so happy to have a family that I can depend on for happiness and support. My sister is my best friend in the entire world, and honestly, my parents are too. My mom is my rock & the first person I go to for advice, and my dad is just a constant source of love and support. I am so lucky that I’m able to go home and feel like I’m in my safe place despite what else is going on in my life.

My dogs: they’re literally the most adorable things in this entire world. I love that when I go home I can just squish their faces and cuddle with them and look at them tightly balled up in little donut formations on my bed. They’re actually perfect. And I’m happy that they love me unconditionally even though I’m constantly super annoying and clingy with them.

My friends: I have a few close friends who I can go to about anything. Some of them are friends that I only talk to a few times a year but feel like we’re just as close as the last time I saw them. Others I see all the time—like my roommates—and they continue to love me and support me even when I’m at my worst. Oh, and they see me first thing in the morning with no makeup on, so shout out to them for that also.

My school: Although I don’t love everything about Arcadia, it’s really provided me with such an amazing education. There are a few select professors who have helped me since freshmen and taken my education as seriously as I do. I feel grateful that I can honestly say some of my professors have changed my life.

Even though I’m not in the happiest place this year, I’m thankful for so many things in my life that I know I will always be able to rely on. It’s important to keep going even when you don’t feel like it, and accounting for the things in your life that provide you with happiness is a good place to start.