I took this photo around this time last year.

It feels weird to pause and celebrate accomplishments and small wins, but I made it a goal of mine this year to let myself pause and give myself a pat on the back because it’s okay to be proud, just don’t brag.

It’s been a year.

It makes me warm when I look at this photo because I know that the smile behind that camera was genuine and I was at peace with myself and life. I stopped running from my problems, embraced my failures and flaws, and turned what I thought was a dream to reality.

I’m proud.

In the last year, I managed to strengthen friendships with those who have my best interest and are positive lights in my life. I feel confident in the workplace and I’ve managed to take on so many new responsibilities. I successfully moved to NYC and settled-in quickly (p.s. I love it here too!). I managed to take three weeks off for the winter holiday to spend time with family. I got accepted to grad school, another dream of mine that turned into reality.

I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish in the last year.

The last few years has been one heck of an adventure. I finally feel stable in my life, I know where I’m going, what I want, and who I am as an individual. I’m comfortable with life and I've been at continuous peace. Okay, maybe not all the time, it’s life, but overall, my heart has been filled with so much love and joy.

2019 goal: it’s okay to be proud.

I (obviously) know myself best and the stories behind every chapter of my life. There’s been some crazy stories in each chapter, tribulations, tears, and laughs. I’ve come a long way, but it feels like my story is just getting started, so I’m excited. I’m proud of how much I’ve come and grown but I’m also excited for the adventures to come and to keep learning more.

I’ve always been the type to have longterm goals and I’ll always dream big when it comes to my career-related 5 to 10 year plan, but I’m also just taking each day by day and enjoying life as is. Life is too short, time is only getting faster, so I might as well enjoy the right now while it lasts and celebrate those wins as they come.