new year

{be kind, 2017}

in

Phew, 2016. You really did a number on the world this year. From all the tragedies across the globe to beloved celebrity deaths, you were simply ruthless, torpedoing through all of our hearts as the days, weeks, and months went by as we wondered, "when the fuck is 2016 going to end?"

Source: a meme account, all of them, because they all steal from each other anyway.

Source: a meme account, all of them, because they all steal from each other anyway.

But despite the whirlwind of negative media, 2016 was a great year of personal growth. I think I finally learned the true meanings of friendship through the people I'm happy to call my second family (#NoNewFriends), and I mustered up the courage to do something for my own sake.

2016 was a year of adventure, both physically and emotionally. While I found myself in Europe for the second time ever, more importantly, I learned the everlasting importance of female friendships. I admittedly used to pride myself with the fact that I had more male friends (lol, what a frickin' LOSER), but there was always something lacking, something that you can only understand over bottles of wine over pizza or a night of facemasking with a group of gal pals. I also realized how much love others had for me, even at my ugliest times. If that ain't love, I don't know what is, because trust, my ugly is ugly. Coming to this realization was also extremely humbling and has give me a lot to reflect on for the upcoming year.

I've also realized how ugly others can be this year. I'll leave that with this: don't invest time in people who don't value your time.

Creatively, I failed this year. The flame from my ambitious self in 2015 that furiously typed out blog posts and whipped out the camera to snap pictures has burned out. I'm eager and ready to bring that person back. PREPARE YASELVES.

I think my outlook on life is more or less the same from my first post of 2016. I find it funny that I'm entering 2017 in a completely opposite manner than I entered 2016; I was starting my job going into 2016, and now I'm entering 2017 having left that exact job. Funny how life works, but when it comes down to it, you have to do what you need to do in order to propel yourself forward. Upwards and onwards, I say!

Wishing you all the happiest, safest, and healthiest of new years. Cheers to more adventures, experiences, and more! :)

{2016 january playlist & 2015 in review}

in ,
{Photo credit: Harley Quinn & Co.}

{Photo credit: Harley Quinn & Co.}

So much has happened in 2015 that I don't even know where to begin. As each year goes by, I seriously wonder where all the time went because the days seem to fly by quicker than they used to. 

Some of the highlights of 2015:

....And so many more amazing moments.

As far as "resolutions" for 2016 go, I'm just going to focus on myself and my growth, both personally and professionally. This year has been a whirlwind of emotions with my trying to please others while putting my own priorities on the backburner. It's okay to be a little selfish when it comes to yourself. Also remember, just because you're progressing more slowly than others doesn't mean you've failed. Go at your own pace, and success will meet you on the other side. This really goes for anything you're going through. There's no use in stewing and grumbling about the accomplishments of others when you can be exerting that energy on your own growth.

As amazing 2015 was, there was just so much negativity oozing from the crevices of the good days. This isn't much of a resolution as it is a mental note throughout all aspects of life, but a positive mindset is key. Follow me to the path of posi vibes. LIIIOOOON! (Channeling DJ Khaled... but ok, I'll stop.) Piggybacking off my 2015 resolution post, I'm continuing the same idea of purging and such.

And I'm going to post more often. I'm going to try to incoporate more writing in this blog as opposed to just photos, completely the opposite of what I said in my first refresh post. Oops. Whatever—things change (new year, new outlook), so prepare for more musings.

I hope you all have an amazing 2016. Thankful for all the new friendships I've made this year and for the old friendships that I was able to rekindle for the good. Definitely had a rough end of 2015 (and beginning of 2016), but there's no use dwelling on the bad days because it can only go up from here. Looking forward to the opportunities ahead and all the wisdom 2016 has to give.

And of course, this month's playlist. Getting back into the work place means more tunes. I hope!