In attempts to find some sort of joy in my life again. I have searched in many places to find that joy that has been missing in my life for far too long. I have searched for a relationship, in hopes that, that may fill the void I feel in my heart, I have searched for it in new friends, as well as old friends, and I have searched in music because it has always been the only constant in my life, and for a while those new things made me feel joy again. They made me believe that there was still happiness to be found, and that I could learn to laugh again. And for a while I believed that was enough, and than I remember a quote from a show I watch religiously that reminded me "People always leave." It may not be in a dramatic way, or a way that is negative, but people do have a habit of leaving. Friends go on missions, or move away to school. Family members move on and start families, or have lives of their own. And sometimes you wake up and realize you are still here. You haven't moved left or right, and you haven't moved backwards. You just find yourself in the same place you were a year ago, while everyone else is moving on.
That is where I am. I am moving forward, but some days I feel as if I am in slow motion. When so many of my friends moved away for college, or left shortly after graduation for missions, I found myself living at home, and going to school nearby. Don't get me wrong I love being home, and I love going to the school that I go to, I love spending my time with my family, and growing my relationship with my best friends. But some times when I look at the joy of those who moved away, and those who are gone on missions, and I see all the adventures they are experiencing. I feel complacent, and envious of them. I feel as if I am going no where. I always thought that a year after high school I would be up in Logan, spending my time making new friends, and living the life I hated waiting for while I was in high school. Now as a year has paced since I graduated I have taken a look into what has happened in a year, and decided to take a look into the things that have happened in a year the have show me how I am not complacent that I am moving forward.. so come along with me as we timeline the past year..
June 2013: I went on my first vacation without my family. I became best friends with the three greatest girls, that make me so happy. I said goodbye to my sister as she left for the next 18 months to share the gospel with the people of Tuscan. I traveled to the other side of the country to spend a couple weeks with my family in Tennessee, and experienced my first airplane ride. I lost my best friend. I experienced the greatest loss I have ever felt in my life, and fought my way through.
July 2013: I fell in love again with a guy who made me laugh, smile from ear to ear, and made me feel like a princess every time we were together. I had a stay-cation with the three girls I practically grew up with and learned that even though we may never be as close as we were in that moment, that I would always be there for them no matter how long it will be between conversations, that they will always be a part of who I am.
August 2013: I said goodbye to the person who has always been by my side, as he left to serve a mission. I sent off my best friend at she went to SUU for school. I learned to be okay with the silence that came with saying goodbye to the people who filled the silence I had in my life. I had my heart torn out by the boy who made me fall in love, and felt like I wasn't ever going to recover, but instead was taught again the importance of forgiveness, and learned to get up and dust myself off, and that my worth was not determined by man, but my God. I was reintroduced to five amazing, and beautiful men that have reminded me how it feels to act like a immature teenage girl. Who make me feel like everything will be okay. I celebrated my black sisters birthday, and was reminded how much she does for me, and how lost I would be without her.
September 2013: I started my first semester of college, and was thrown head first into the most stressful, rewarding, and creative Interior Design program. I was reminded how it felt to be a seventh grader again, having to start over in a brand new school, only this time I didn't have my girls by my side to soften the blow, I had to face this new adventure alone, and remind myself how to let people get to know me. I met a girl who seriously made the first semester of college bearable, and became my first true friend at LDSBC, who was there through all the craziness that came from that small communications class. I met a boy who made me forget about the pain I still felt from getting burned from the last boy who I let in, he made me laugh, and feel things again. And I said goodbye to my best friend as she left to go to BYUI.
October 2013: I was reminded how infuriating the dating scene can be, when people play games, and was reminded of myself from many years ago, when the game was taught to me. I was introduce to some pretty entertaining people, and had some good laughs with them, and got to become closer to my cousin, who I realize was more like me than I had ever imagined, and am grateful for everyday. I became friends with some amazing girls in my program at school, and was able to have friends who related to the stress I was feeling from school whose creativity, and drive inspire me everyday.
November 2013: I faced my first holiday without my brother, and made new traditions with my family. All in hopes to make the next couple months bearable. I was reminded of my love for designer fashion, even though I still cannot afford any of it. I got my first real job, outside of babysitting, and lawn mowing.
December 2013: My best friend came home early from his mission, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't grateful for his return, he helps me in more ways than he will ever no just by existing. I finished my first semester of college, and was ever so grateful I ended up not having to experience finals. I barely remember Christmas. It was all a blur, I just remember going through the motions, attempting to find the strength I needed to get through it without becoming depressed.
January 2014: I had an amazing celebration of bringing in the new year with my girls, as we fangirled, acted like complete crazy people, and laughed until we cried. I started my second semester of college, and was grateful to have so many classes with friends, who ease the stress that comes with 17 credit hours, and working part time. We got tickets to see the five most amazing boys! And started counting down till the day our dreams come true.
February 2014: This month was the hardest month I have had. Deep down I had an internal battle with myself to get out of bed each day, fight the demons in my mind, and attempt to replace the darkness I felt surrounding my life with brightness. I celebrated my 19th birthday with some amazing people. Shared my love of card games, and dirty drinks with others. I was reminded how hard I fall for people, even when they aren't there to catch me. My ginger sister got her mission call, and I have never felt so much joy, and sadness in one moment than that. I am going to miss her but I am so beyond proud of her everyday. Her testimony inspires me, and strengthens mine.
March 2014: I finally experienced finals, and the stress that accompanies them. I bought tickets to see my second favorite guy in concert, and cannot wait to see him live. I got to judge FCCLA state in Layton, and was remind how much I loved being a part of something, and making friendships that I will remember forever.
April 2014: I finished my second semester of college, and was ever so grateful to have my freshman year out of the way. And have continued to work every day since then on myself, and to get myself back to where I want to be.
Here I am a year since graduation, reflecting on the memories, trails, heartaches, and laughs. To be reminded of the blessing my life is, and grateful for all of the experiences. I have learned to find the joy in the little things again, and for that, this past year has been worth every minute. I may not have moved away, or gone on a mission, but I have learned so much about myself, and who I can rely on that it all has made me stronger. This past year will be one I will never forget, and I look forward to the years to come, and the many adventures that accompany it.