This year I’ve met some pretty amazing people, deepened relationships with friends who have become family, and learned a lot about myself. Some of these learnings have taken years, and I’m overdue. For being paid to communicate visually, I wasn’t very good at doing the same with my words and actions. I have a tendency to assume things based on anxiety, or spinning situations into unnecessarily complex places. I have moments where I push people away with my actions.

I’m learning to find peace where there used to be a lot of noise.

I’ve learned to take feedback, grown from my experiences, become PATIENT, and moved past limitations I thought were written in stone. It’s made me a more dynamic and happy person because when it comes down to it, life is pretty simple:

1. Care deeply about the humans around you. There are a specific few I have in mind personally, (including the one who took this photo,) who I need to buy a beer instantly and give a tremendous hug to as soon as possible.

2. You’re doing great. Right where you are now. We’re all dealing with issues that we don’t talk about, and there’s no need to beat yourself up for making mistakes. You’re human, it’s a part of our job description to fuck up sometimes. The caveat: don’t keep fucking up in the same way when you figure it out.

3. Be aware and open to growth, always. That’s why we’re here, isn’t it? Making connections, finding love, fulfillment and finding true happiness.

Honestly, we’ve got this whole human thing in the bag, it’s just going to take a lifetime of practice to get it right. 😊