I had so many ideas for my new years blog post. I was going to tell you ten things that I’ve learned this year. I was going to tell you how to become a better person in 2016… I was going to pretend that I had all the answers, and that’s not what I want for this website… our community.
In the beginning of 2014, my family and I went through something devastating. Our hearts were shattered, and I honestly do not think any of us have fully recovered. I spent most of the year wishing 2014 would end. Then when the New Year came around, I had all these elaborate plans… that never happened.
When I sat down a couple weeks ago to think about my New Years resolutions and all that I have done this year, I finally accepted: this has been a year of healing. Of course there were a few things that I accomplished. Like, making this website a reality (which I couldn’t have done without the help of my husband), and learning how to take decent photos.
But looking back on everything I did, I was healing. Every walk by the lake, every photo taken, every coffee with a friend, every hug I received was me recovering. I was putting the pieces back together without even knowing it.
I’m not going to tell you that I have completely moved on, and I no longer feel the pain. I have good days and bad days. I’m not even going to tell you that time heals because I think that is a complete lie. I just want you to know that if you feel like you have not accomplished much this year, and you have barely been making it through, I understand. I get it. You are not alone. But please know that the time has not been wasted. Your body and mind need time to grieve, and sometimes that can take a month. A year. Maybe even two years.
And please do not feel embarrassed listening to other people brag about what they have achieved in 2015. They may not admit it, but at one time, they probably had a year of grieving… and a year of healing.
No matter what you have done or not done this year, just know that you made it. You survived another year. That IS an accomplishment.
It may not happen tomorrow or the next day, but it WILL get better. You WILL heal.
Happy New Year, my friends. Embrace the changes that 2016 brings, and be thankful for another year alive.
All my love,
