On January 3rd of this year, I posted an update with my three biggest goals for 2017. Those goals included getting healthier, improving The Dorky Diva, and focusing on my professional skills. I'm proud to say that in one way or another, I achieved all of these goals!
While my physical health didn't improve greatly this year, I feel like my mental health took leaps and bounds in the right direction. I feel much happier, less stressed, and focused on the things that are truly important. In my opinion, that's the first step to being healthy. I improved The Dorky Diva by coordinating Star Wars Style posts, incorporating Disney into my topics of discussion, keeping up with my podcast, and starting a new quarterly series, Style Wars, alongside my friend Jenmarie. As for my final goal, I was able to focus on my professional skills during my senior internship so well that I ended up landing a job I've always wanted, which also moved me to California. Overall, these were great accomplishments for me! I feel more confident this year than I ever have before and I'm glad that, for the most part, I stuck to my goals.
In addition to all of those personal accomplishments, I had some truly special events happen during 2017 that will always be close to my heart. During Star Wars Celebration Orlando, I decided to host a small meet up at the Rosen Centre hotel so I could meet some of the people that follow this blog and listen to my podcast. I honestly only expected maybe five or six people to show up (that's including my mom and closest friends) and thought I would end up with about 195 of the 200 Dorky Diva pins I had made for the convention to be left in my hands. To my surprise, the meet up was a huge success and I ran out of my pins before the night was over. I met lots of people that I've been "internet friends" with for a long time, but I also met a lot of new friends! It was so sweet to meet people that actually take the time to read these posts because I never realized there was an audience for this place beyond my family and close circle of friends. Thank you everyone who came to my meet up! To this day it still touches my heart and makes me feel super special. I appreciate every single one of you who showed up!
Another thing that was really special to me in 2017 is the fact that I finally feel like I have some amazing girl friends that will always be there for me when I need it! In the past, I've had a small friend group that I could count on, but this year I'm happy to know that through Star Wars, I have girls all around the world that are always going to encourage and inspire me. It's so common for women to tear each other down (I'm guilty of this for sure), but I'm proud to be apart of an amazing group of ladies that build one another up and celebrate everyone's differences! Special shout out to these girls- Kristen B., Katie H., Ashley T., Lindsey V., Ashley V., Grace P., Glory P., Jenmarie G., Charlotte E., Caitlyn P., Melissa T., Ashley E., Danielle A., and Sloane A. I adore all of you so much! I wish all of you the best in the new year and can't wait to see how our friendships grow in 2018.
Last but not least, my next favorite part of 2017 is that I started dating a guy I've had a crush on for a while and it's been great. He doesn't like being the center of attention so I try not to post about him too much, but thanks to my boyfriend, I've gotten to experience a lot of the great outdoors this year and shared lots of laughs with him. I'll keep this short so it doesn't get too sappy, but thank you Shaun for a wonderful year. You are the best!
As some of you may remember, 2016 was a particularly rough year for me as I dealt with a lot of anxiety at the end of the year. I was worried that 2017 would also be a frustrating year, but I'm so happy that everything turned out the way it did. I believe the best part of making a new year the best it can be is starting it with a good attitude. While I haven't set my goals for 2018 yet, I will be doing that soon and I suggest all of you set a goal or two as well. It's rewarding to look back on the year and see what you've accomplished. As Ahsoka Tano would say, this is a new day...a new beginning. Make it count. Happy new year!
Congratulations! It seemed like you had a great year.
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