On December 31, 2015, I was sitting on the beach in Hermosa reflecting on the past year and writing a list of goals for the following year.  Today, December 31, 2016, I’m sitting at home in Pittsburgh, PA doing the same thing – sans the beach.

To kick-off 2016 and with inspiration from Karen Civil, I started a blessing jar.  What is a blessing jar?  It’s a jar, of any kind (feel free to decorate it!), where every time something positive happens to you throughout the year, you write that moment on a notecard, date it, and drop it into your jar.  At the end of the year, dump out your jar and see all of the epic things you’ve accomplished and been a part of during the year.  This is my first time doing a blessing jar, and I’ve actually kept up with it – see below!

So needless to say, 2016 has been a GREAT freaking year for me.

The biggest highlight in 2016?  Getting a new job.  Holy smokes, I can’t even begin to explain my excitement with this one.  My #1 goal for 2016 was to get a new job.  And even better, this new job doesn’t even feel like work.  I would always get SO jealous of those who said that and wondered if that would ever happen to me.  Well, I can say it now.  I work with creative and talented people, have met so many epic movers and shakers, and am constantly surrounded by like-minded individuals.  I can actually hold conversations with my coworkers about the new Migos or Drake track and they know what I’m talking about.  It’s the little things.  Very, very happy.  Shout out @airmikey.

And three additional epic moments this year would have to be my 27th birthday, sitting in the 10th row at the last night of the Summer Sixteen tour in LA, and being invited to and attending the Live Civil Brunch.

27TH BIRTHDAY
Reunited with friends (minus Mandy – she gets her own weekend during the 4th <3) (and not sure where Pelke is…typicalllll)

SUMMER SIXTEEN TOUR
More life with friends

LIVE CIVIL BRUNCH
Networked with new friends

But really.  This year has been so so great and for those of you who say 2016 was the worst and needs to go away, how do you think 2017 will be any different?  Yes there were a lot of shitty things that happened in the world, but TBH shitty things will happen every year.  So all you can really do is focus on you and do things that make you happy.  That will help to push and block out the negativity.

So for me personally in 2017, I will continue to do the following –

• Do things that make me happy with people who make me happy
• Be selfish – sounds terrible but I only have to take care of myself so this is the time to do as much as I can
• Attend even more concerts and listening parties

And a few new things –

• Be more thoughtful and proactive when it comes to those in my life
• Refinance my school loans (v. important)
• Step away from all negative energy.  Ain’t no time from that.

What are you going to continue to work on?  Try something new?  Make a blessing jar?  Do it!

Wishing all of yinz a safe, healthy, and happy start to 2017.  Now to whip up a quick top album and concert post from 2016…