Professionally I've grown a lot this year. I took a leap when I left my job at the Herald to go work as a web developer at Steinway Management. I truly loved my coworkers at the Herald, but the job was changing into something that was stressful and damaging to my emotional well-being. I love where I work now - I'm getting paid more and my career feels more stable than it ever has before!
As strange or insignificant as it may seem, one of the main highlights of 2012 was all that happened in my personal music world. The year started off strong in February with the band Fun. releasing their new album "Some Nights". Not too long after that, my favorite band The Used released an album - their first since 2009. In addition to this, I got to go see my 3rd and 4th Fun. concerts this year with my closest, dearest friend and sister, one of which we went on a short vacation to Las Vegas to see, which was an amazing experience in and of itself! Also in April I was fortunate enough to meet The Used at an in-store signing they did. This was my first ever "fangirl" experience. I'm usually quite good at keeping my composure around people, but that instance proved to be more than I could handle! Warped Tour was another big event. My friend bailed on me, so this was my first concert experience alone. While I would have much preferred to have a companion there with me, that day was fantastic. I got to meet one of my favorite bands - All Time Low as well as Mayday Parade. The best part of the whole thing was getting to see The Used for the first time in concert - it was amazing!!!
I also discovered the band Black Veil Brides this year, which has quickly grown to be one of my favorite bands. I love their music and their message. Bert McCracken also started following me on instagram which, for me, is kind of a big deal.
After all this, my favorite music-related experience of the year would definitely have to be the Boys Like Girls concert I attended that I wrote about a few months ago. Hardly anything can top having a talented musician sing a whole show to you and also you getting to kiss him!
This year has also marked a growth in the relationship with my family, and most importantly my sister. Me and her have always been close, but this year we've gotten to be closer than we ever have before and it has been so fantastic. My family has grown to be closer due to the recent struggles we've been going through. In all honesty, it's been terrifying but I think it's brought us closer together. It's also helped me be able to feel the love of those around me and given me the desire to give back.
More than anything else this year, the most significant part of 2012 for me is just how much I've grown. I believe I have progressed more this year than any other time of my life. This year I FINALLY got my act together and put myself on the right path so I feel like I'm exactly where I should be for the first time in way too many years. I've let go of the harmful habits and practices that I was holding onto oh so tightly. I no longer have to only repress my dark desires because they no longer exist within me which has probably been one of the biggest blessing in my life and definitely not something that I could achieve on my own.
My favorite part of all of this is that I finally know who I am. I've been struggling trying to find my identity for the past several years, and I am now more confident than I ever have been before as to who I am and who I want to be. I've eliminated the parts of myself I created in an attempt to please other people, and I no longer have the the desperate need to "fit in socially". The best part of this whole thing is that as I've embraced who I truly am and have let it shine through, those around me have also embraced it, and knowing that people love you for who you truly are is the best feeling in the world.
This year has been very special to me and I cherish the experiences it has brought me. It has put me on the right path so I have high hopes for 2013. I'll be going back to school for the first time since Fall Semester of 2010 which both excites and terrifies me, but I know it's meant to be the next step in my progression. Also, early 2013 my little sister and best friend will be leaving me for 1.5 years to serve a full time mission. We'll have to go from talking every day to only corresponding once a week through letters/emails.
I feel the future is bright for me and there is limitless potential, and if I continue on as I have in 2012, I know that no matter what happens, I'll come out a better person for it.
Steff
