The craziness that was 2013, and the craziness that will be 2014

2013 came and went like a whirlwind. It seems like I barely got used to writing 13, and now I have to adjust to 14. I can't believe it. So much happened and so much changed. But in the end, I wouldn't go back and replace any of it. Here's some of the most meaningful moments of 2013:

1) I had my last semester of college. This was heartbreaking. And terribly exciting. and terrifying. And lovely. And about 500 things/feelings all rolled into one. I worked so much (just under full time) at both of my lovely jobs (in admissions and at the library) and took mostly easy classes. It was the best semester yet.

2) I graduated college.

....With some of the best social workers I know! I'm honored to have had the experience of going through undergrad with these people.

3) I went on a cruise. And never have I ever been more relaxed than when I was on vacation with my best friends.
 
If you EVER get the chance to travel with your friends, DO IT.

4) I went to Guatemala. I was able to see this sweet face again:

And made life-long friends with the people I traveled with. Even though we got stuck in Miami for a day (bummer, right), we still had fun (however, we were getting kind of sick of each other... and we were really sunburned and barely had any clean laundry left...)!


5) The summer of 2013 was the first summer I wasn't able to be at camp all summer in over 5 years. And that was really hard. But I was able to go for a week, and some of staff training. And I had an incredible internship that made it okay. AND I MADE A PERFECT DOUGHBOY.


6) The fall of 2013 brought me my first job. While it hasn't been perfect, it's been something. I appreciate having the opportunity to create new connections, and gain the experience of working.

2013 was a pretty spectacular year. These things are just a few of the awesome experiences I've had, and I'm so excited to begin creating new ones in 2014.... So here it is, my New Years resolution for 2014:

In the year 2014, I will strive to surround myself with and create friendships that make me want to be a better person. I want to be encouraged by those around me, and hope to set this foundation so that I can be this for other people. After graduating, I feel like I need some more people in my life, and hopefully 2014 will bring that for me. 

Trying to Reform the Hoarder in Me. Also I Can't Say No.

Two very big problems I have are that I am a really bad hoarder, and that I also can't say no. in some ways, they're related in that by not saying "no," I'm hoarding experiences and people. (I'm not really sure if that makes sense, but it makes sense in my mind).

Here's some big news that needs to be said before I continue writing this post, and there's no really good time to say it.....

I'm moving home for a little bit. I'm not sure for how long, or how I'm going to like living back in Marion for a while, but it's what I need to do. It simply makes more financial sense, as well as more emotional sense. I've been kinda bored living where I was, and so now at least I'll have my family. :)

Anyways, back on track. I'm redoing my bedroom. This bedroom has been mine since junior high. Needless to say, we've been through a lot together. And honestly, this is a big problem because of one of my previously mentioned problems (the hoarding). I simply can't throw things away because I think "I might need it one day!" or "so-and-so meant so much to me when I was in fourth grade" (let alone the fact that I haven't spoken to so-and-so SINCE fourth grade, AND they were one of the ones who caused a lot of drama in eighth grade...or something). Anyways, there is so much stuff that I haven't really touched/looked at since going away to college. And I'm throwing it out. Well... most of it. As much as I can handle to throw out.

I'm a new person. I'm beginning a new chapter. I'm an adult (usually). And I need a new space. So I'm redoing my room, and trying to throw away as much as possible. I took down all the pictures of people that I no longer talk to, I got rid of posters of bands that I haven't listened to in years, threw away most of the knick-knacks that I got from White Elephant gift exchanges. And it feels great. I am excited to start this new chapter in my new space, and I can't wait to show you pictures when it's done. Because it's going to be absolutely fabulous.

So not only is my new space changing my hoarding habits, it's also changing my "can't say no" problem. I was invited to go ice skating tonight with my best friend and her friends (or just my friends... cause they are), And I said no! Well. Kind of. I said I'd join them for dinner then go home because I need to finish painting my room by Saturday. Usually I would have said "YES. I'LL DO IT ALL AND THEN NOT PAINT MY ROOM AND HAVE TO SLEEP ON THE COUCH WHEN MY SISTER COMES HOME. So maybe this means that I'm in the process of fixing two of my problems, or maybe I'm just excited about getting a new space... I don't know. I'm just enjoying the process.

Unfortunately, I don't have any before pictures of my room, but I'll be sure to show you the after pictures! :)

I'm also excited about living at home because it means I get to be with ETHEL!!!!!!!