Looking Ahead: 2017

It's been 2017 for a few days now and the wonder and magical feeling of the holidays is slowly starting to fade, and with it, that feeling of having the ability to do anything is leaving too. I never was one to make new year resolutions because I thought that after a few weeks my motivation to do anything would vanish. Each year I say that it'll be different and I'll change but then I hit a bump and slowly revert back to my routine. *Sigh*

That slow relapse back to routine is something I just can't seem to overcome. I sometimes hate myself for it but ehh it happens. This year, however, is going to be different. Since I know the person I am, I had to do something drastic to get myself going and to make sure that I kept myself in check. That is why I have made the decision to leave the country for a few months (Surprise! for all the people I haven't gotten around to telling yet). Today is January 5th so in 21 days I will be boarding a plane and headed to Argentina.

Thinking too much gives me the time to back out which is never going to help me grow.

I'm a pretty practical person who likes their routine and can easily get stuck in it. I'm all for self growth and being the best version of myself but I'm also reserved and kind of a procrastinator. I was so used to my little zone of comfort that I rarely did things to step out of

said comfort zone and on the off chance that I did wander out, it would be brief and I'd just find myself going right back to it. I was always the person who did the most extreme things jut to shake my world up a bit. I was shy so instead of getting to know people by joining clubs I decided to take a leadership position that forced me to talk to hundreds of people. I was terrified of public speaking, so what did I do? I volunteered to give multiple speeches to hundreds of people at a time. I had mild anxiety in certain types of situations, so instead of taking things one at a time I decided to go bungee jumping and told myself that if I could dive off of a cliff then I could definitely handle different social situations. I say all of this just to say that I have to jump right into things without putting too much thought into it because thinking gives me the time to back out which is never going to help me grow.

I'm only 22 and I've started to notice that I'm getting way too comfortable with my current life routine.

I'm only 22 and I've started to notice that I'm getting way too comfortable with my current life routine. That's no bueno, so 3 months ago I told myself that I would do something so drastic that I would be forced to change. Hence, Argentina. I'll be 100% immersed in the society and culture and hope to change for the better. I no longer want to live my life being boring and comfortable.

I don't feel anything now but I know as soon as I board that plane nervousness, anxiety, and a sense of dread will overwhelm me. But I also know that a great deal of excitement will be there too, so it will all even out (fingers crossed).

So here's to 2017 where I'll keep the magic alive. My year of new adventures, new emotions, and some self-discovery. I'm diving in headfirst and can't wait to see the person who comes out on the other side.

Let's all keep the magic alive together everyone!

-Annalise