As I started to sit down and write this paper about my perspective of turning 19, I found myself in a negative mindset. After taking some time to reflect on how I want this new year of my life to go, I decided to google “Journal prompts for reflecting on an upcoming birthday.” 

After looking through a list of about 30 different prompts, one stood out to me. I felt it was a more positive way to express my reflection on this past chapter of my life. 

So, welcome to my journal entry and thank you for reading what I’m calling “How I have grown and evolved over the past year?”

Thinking back to when I turned 18, I can automatically recall a difference in my life. Many connections I had have faded, new ones have evolved, academic goals have been achieved, mental health has gotten better, and most importantly, my view on life has been beyond eye-opening for my past self.

This year I met people that have absolutely changed my life, 100% for the better. Surrounding myself with people that make it easy to be I truly am is one of the greatest things that I have received in my 18th year of living. 

Surprisingly, lost connections can be a gift too. Through this past year, I have gained the mindset of seeing a lesson in all the events that happen in my life. Practicing this has allowed for that growth in mental health that I mentioned earlier, allowing myself to now see how when something unfortunate happens, I can use it to help my mind reflect in the future. 

I used to find myself struggling with the fact that I don’t find as much joy in the “typical college activities” as most around me do. 

I would feel embarrassed, looked at differently, or seen as “not fun.” 

This year, I realized that there is no point in trying to impress or please others for my own happiness. The thing I needed was to surround myself with those who value my priorities as well. 

I was listening to a podcast one day by a girl named Chloe Trca, and she said something that did a complete 180 on me, and I have used it in my daily way of living since. She talked about being so unapologetically yourself, that you don’t have to “work” when you are around those who you encounter, putting on a different version of yourself.

The 18th year of my life has had the biggest impact on how I view the value of life overall. The hopes and dreams I hold for my future have been building since I could remember and continue to expand every day. However, it truly wasn’t until this past year that found my confidence in my own values, priorities and views in life.