It is safe to say that no other year has impacted me quite as profoundly as 2018. I have had countless life changing experiences and decisions I had to make over the last 365 days, that have begun to form the person I will become. This year was filled with some incredible highs where I thought I could take on the world and felt invincible as well as some incredible lows where I didn't think I would be able to continue.
I often compare my experiences in 2018 to those of Holden Caulfield in "Catcher in the Rye". This year I wasn't just dabbling in adulthood as I had in the past. This year it was finally time for me to really grow up and begin becoming a responsible, self-sufficient adult. In the end of Catcher in the Rye, after a tumultuous journey, Holden finds himself caught in the rain. Rather than run to get out of the rain or open an umbrella, he just stands there and allows the rain to soak him. In the novel the rain symbolizes Holden being cleansed of his youth, he is finally able to let go of the terrible things he had experienced.
This New Years is my rainstorm. This year I am using the new year to finally let go of the things in my past that continue to cause me stress and anxiety to this day. I also want to use this new year to continue becoming a more self-sufficient adult. I spent the last few months living on my own in Chicago constantly stressing about anything and everything that could go wrong. This is going to change. I want to be cleansed from these bad habits and move on so I can become a better version of myself.
2019 is going to be a year to remember, but first lets take a look back at some of my favorite and most important moments of 2018!
#1 MY FIRST NEW YEARS KISS
I didn't do anything wild and crazy for New Years last year. Instead Sean and I had spent the day before road tripping with Rocky from Georgia to Illinois.
Completely exhausted from the drive we opted to spend New Years at his parents house just hanging out and watching the New Years shows. When the ball finally dropped and the clock struck midnight I got to have my very first New Years kiss. It will definitely be a New Years I will never forget!
#2 My Last Sorority Recruitment
Let's be honest I probably complained about around 60% of sorority recruitment, between 5:30 AM wake up calls and 8+ hours of speaking to strangers it is absolutely exhausting. However, if I'm being honest I'm actually going to miss it this year. As someone who can be pretty shy especially with large groups of people, recruitment gave me the opportunity to begin connecting with girls in my sorority I hadn't gotten to know yet. Even though we were completely exhausted, everyone always came together during recruitment for one common goal and I loved that aspect of it.
#3 I Turned 22!
I had some mixed feelings about turning 22. In a way its the first age I've turned that I wasn't super excited about. 21 you can drink, 20 you're finally out of your teens, 22 congratulations you're going to graduate college and your whole world will change.
Regardless, I had an amazing night with all of my best friends who planned me the best birthday party I could have asked for. I even gained my beautiful grandlittle, Lauren, on my birthday who I couldn't have imagined my last semester without!
#4 Celebrated 1 Year with my Boyfriend
365 days later my wonderful boyfriend was still able to put up with me. I would not have wanted to have 365 days worth of experiences with anyone else in this world, he completely made the ups and downs of our relationship worth every moment. As Colbie Caillat and Jason Mraz say "I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend."
#5 Last Quals
At Indiana University we have the Little 500 bike race every year and teams have to Qualify for the race at Quals. This was always one of my favorite days of the year because it is just one big party beginning at 7 am. Not to mention my sorority did manage to qual in 1st place the last two years!
#5 Last Little 500
As someone who grew up with a love for attending sporting events, the Little 500 bike race was one of the best days of the year. I got to hang out with my friends all day and then go support girls I actually knew and loved compete in the race. The girls on DGBT baffled me every year with their dedication to training and their skills during the actual race. I loved getting to cheer them on with my entire sorority!
#6 College Graduation
College graduation was a pretty big thing that happened to me this year... I've talked plenty about it before so lets just leave it at YAY me for graduating!
#7 My First EDM Festival
I never really saw myself as an EDM Festival girl but I was excited to give one a try. About a week after graduation I went to Shaky Beats in Atlanta with my boyfriend and best friend. I loved my experience and I was there with two best possible people I could be. I gained a new level of confidence at the festival, as it was the first time I was ever able to completely stop caring about what others thought of me and just enjoy myself. I can't wait to attend many more because now EDM shows just make me happy!
#8 Spending my Last Summer at Home
This was a really strange sensation. Realizing that this was most likely the last time I will ever spend a significant period of time living at home again. It was strange living at home and realizing that the safety and security I felt there was quickly going to be taken away and all of the responsibility shifted immediately onto my shoulders. However, I had an amazing summer with my wonderful family and my even better pup Mackey!
#9 Started this Blog!
This was another risk I took this year that was very much outside of my comfort zone, but it has given me extreme happiness and improved my confidence immensely. I have always wanted to find some sort of creative outlet where I could publicly share my thoughts, but was also far too nervous and afraid of what others might say. Finally, following through with making this blog is definitely one of my biggest achievements of 2018!
#10 Moved to Chicago with my Best Friend
If you've been following my blog then by now you know how much I despise change. Therefore, making the decision to move to Chicago rather than home was a HUGE leap of faith. I knew however, that moving to Chicago was going to be the best for me professionally and emotionally at this point in my life. Although, ask me how much I love it in a few weeks when Chicago winter really starts....
#11 Got my First Big Girl Job
I've discussed how disappointed in myself I felt because I didn't graduate with a job, but I am so incredibly grateful that my post-grad journey happened that way. After working part time at two Tommy Bahama stores for 3+ months I finally got my opportunity. I had to endure a month long interview process for my current job but I love it and I'm learning invaluable skills every single day. I would not have wanted it to go any other way!
#12 IU Homecoming as an Alumni
Visiting IU as an alumni was incredibly fun but also very eye opening. It was amazing to be somewhere that feels like "home" and pick right back up where I left off with my best friends. However, I finally came to understand that I no longer wish I could be back in school, I am finally content with moving on and growing up. Plus I honestly can't keep up with them anymore... I am old.
That's all! My favorite and most influential moments of 2018 in one blog post. Thank you all for being a part of my life this past year. I truly would not be here today without the support I have received from each and every one of you.
XOXO,
Rachel