‘Tis The Season For Nostalgia…
Another year older another year wiser... That's the saying isn't it?
Well, this girl is now 19 years old and I don't feel like I'm any wiser; my back has started hurting so I guess I'm just getting old haha. It's funny how another birthday passed and I can look back at all I've accomplished this year and all the stuff I wish I could've done but never got around to. Personally, I think the last two months of the year are all about reflection. It's about recognizing your progress, but also wanting to do better the next go round. 'Tis the season for nostalgia.
I just recently had my first December in my apartment. I decorated for Christmas by bringing my childhood Christmas tree from home and putting it up. Every year my mom would give me teddy bear ornaments until I had too many to fit on the tree. It was so nice to have a piece of home with me until I went back for Christmas. There were many nights that I turned on the lights and just looked at it. Last December we were closing on my apartment and sleeping on air mattresses. This December it feels like my cozy little home.
Like I said, it's all a time for reflection. I'm about to come up on my one year anniversary of moving to Franklin. It really feels like it was yesterday. I remember packing up on New Years and heading out January 2nd. I felt sick with anxiety, but also really excited to be trying something new. I didn't know a soul. I didn't have any friends. I didn't even have a plan for what I was going to do when I got there. The only reason I had a place to stay was all thanks to my Mom and Dad (shout out to them for helping me SO much this year).
Now I'm about to get real honest with you guys. You see my posts about living in Franklin on my social media accounts. Yeah, it's fun and exciting sometimes, but there have been a lot of lonely nights too. I'd have my moments where it felt like I'd never meet people I connected with. I'd have my moments where I cried and really just wanted to go home. I had a LOT of nights where I watch Gilmore Girls to make me feel better because it was something familiar. It was hard. It was hard to be the new kid. Heck, I'm still the new kid! But it got better. It got easier to come back after time at home. It got easier to talk to new people. It got easier to be okay with not having friends and family right there by my side.
Comfort zones are nice, but this past year I kicked my butt out of them. Anytime I wanted to skip something because I was nervous or anxious, I'd make myself do it anyways. I'd try to talk to people. I'd go to events. I'd put myself out there because at the end of the day what's the worst thing that could happen? 9 times out of 10 it will feel a little awkward for 10 minutes then you'll realize it's not as bad as you thought it was going to be. This little shy NC girl has come a long way since the beginning of 2016.
Basically, I've said all that to tell you I hope 2017 is kind to you. I hope you try new things and scare yourself a little bit. Sometimes it's good to be a little scared. It means you're trying. I hope 2017 is a year that you accomplish your goals and you try different things.
I've been working on some projects for you guys that I can't wait to share. Expect more updates from Franklin soon. I think 2017 may be one of the best years yet. :) I love you guys.
xx Carson