An Open Letter To Myself: Closing Out 2013

What I intend to bring into 2014

I can’t believe it’s time for a new year already. 2013 has been a year of blessings, hurdles, adventures and laughs; it has been a year of getting to know myself, and a year of realizations. My love for Boston proved to persevere in moments of strife, just in time for New York to re-capture my heart. In this open letter to myself, I choose not to say goodbye to 2013, but to appreciate the lessons that will pave the way for 2014.

It’s become a personal tradition of mine to spend the late afternoon on New Year’s Eve jotting down my observations of the past year. There’s something about the culmination of a year that ties up so nicely, and you realize that all the pieces were sort of essential for that big puzzle you’re making. You know, your life.

So what do I have to say to myself on the brink of 2014?

1) There is no timeline. This year, you saw some of your classmates go off the beaten path while others followed the track carved out for them since childhood. And guess what? They both work. While you had moments of envy for those following the roads more traveled, you learned that you kind of crave the challenge. This was a terrifying yet remarkable realization, as you began to absorb that there is no mainstream route. These aren’t charted waters you’re traveling, my friend.

2) You spent the first half of 2013 entirely in the company of others, as you celebrated the end of senior year with your friends. In the second half, you spent more time with yourself. The quiet afternoons with a cup of tea were as appreciated as the string of thrilling college adventures. Consider it hitting the pause button for a while.

3) You’ve changed your career path multiple times. You’ve come to value mentors, whether in the form of a best friend, family member or a respected professional. You learned not to be afraid to ask for help; after all, these individuals you so admire once started from the bottom, too. (Thanks, Drake.) The moment you set aside your pride is the moment you just might learn something new.

4) Lean on your friends, but not excessively. There have been plenty of fights and harsh words as well as support during these uncertain months. But maybe just knowing you’re not alone on this complex journey is reassuring enough.

5) You’ve discovered the importance of checking in with yourself every now and then, and gotten reacquainted with writing in a journal. Contrary to the beliefs of some, it’s not a sentimental activity, but a vital and healthy one. You read some of your entries out loud to the ones you care for most, and sometimes you didn’t receive the response you were probably searching for. But sometimes you found yourself completely blown away by the level of understanding. Never stop appreciating that feeling.

6) For the third time, you fell in love with a city. Maybe part of it was the sentimentality of an approaching graduation, but seeing your city hurt wounded a part of you as well. You spent days walking around with your friends, taking in the scenes of devastation and the glimmers of hope from fellow Bostonians.

7) You learned that ultimately, you earn as much as the effort you put in. And that the wheel never stops rolling. It’s never too late to say, “Stop! This isn’t working. I need to try again.” Then, do it.

And with that said, here’s to a 2014 of learning, acceptance and new challenges.