2015 has come and gone, and it has been a year filled with happiness, lessons, adventures, and friendship. I have had some wonderful opportunities in 2015, and it will be exciting to see how they turn out in 2016. I am starting off the year by preparing for my   first big solo adventure. January 22^nd I will be leaving to spend the next four months in Southern France, and hopefully travelling throughout Europe during that time as well. As we get closer I am getting more anxious, but I know that it will be a wonderful experience that will set the course for the rest of the year.

My goal setting for each year usually looks something like: workout more and focus on healthy eating. While those are fine goals to have, I like the idea of having more generalized goals looking long term, not just for 2016, but to continuously build upon for years to come. It’s nice to have room to grow during the year, and adjust as life changes.

For 2016, my five words are: adventure, love, health, career, and happiness. Beyond the upcoming adventure, I want to seek adventure in the little things in life. 2016 will hold my last summer as a child, and will begin many lasts with senior year. Each moment is special, and taking full advantage of those moments will make lasting memories. I am incredibly lucky to be surrounded by friends and family who I love and feel loved by. I am looking to build on these existing relationships, and I look forward to new loved ones coming into my life throughout the year. Health is always important, but this year I want to learn to work better with what the universe has given me, and how I can radiate positivity every day.

2016 will hold many career outlooks as I begin my senior year, and complete (hopefully) my last internship this upcoming summer. The time to narrow down post graduation opportunities has finally arrived, and I cannot wait to see what comes of it. And last but certainly not least, happiness. This is something that my mother always says you need to teach yourself, and that happiness does not come easy. 2015 started very uneasy, but as the months went on I could feel myself getting happier each and every day. Of course there were days that were harder than others, but the reminder that happiness is something that I am in control of made it easier.

I ended 2015 on a very high note,finishing a wonderful semester with amazing friends in Miami, and coming home to spectacular friends and family in Chicago. I started the process of teaching myself happiness, but I know that in 2016 there will be even more room to grow and incredible lessons to keep me on this path. Happiness most certainly does not come easy, but 2015 taught me that you can be in control, and now it’s time to execute that mentality in 2016. I cannot expect exactly what will happen, but I can expect to enjoy how my five words play out in the end. Happy New Year to all!