I'm sure most of you are really sick of seeing these resolution posts but I really wanted to post mine because I felt like I needed too, for myself.

2014 was the most amazing year that my expectations for 2015 are less than stellar. I think my hopes for 2015 are low because there's nothing on the horizon for me...for once, the year is completely unwritten, as is the rest of my entire life. Nothing is set in stone, nothing is guaranteed. It comes back to the entire unexpectedness that is the post graduate life.

For years, January would roll around and I knew I'd go back to school in a few days or weeks, and then the rest of the school year would roll around. I'd go to my new classes, take midterms, go to sorority formal, and end the year with finals.

Now, it's totally different. I don't know what's coming and that is so scary. I haven't been able to embrace that aspect of post graduate and I still feel like I'm floating in the middle of the ocean with no life saver around...dramatic I know but it's how I feel.

2015, I'm going to do my best to embrace it all and be a better version of myself. I've dealt so much with anxiety (possible post on that eventually) and trying to find my own happiness this year. I don't want to depend on anyone else to make me happy or calm my anxiety...I want to be happy on my own. That is probably my biggest resolution...to stop worrying about everything, calm down, and be happy.

I also wanted to include the resolutions for my blog so let's get into it.

Personal

1. Stop overthinking

2. Try to find my own happiness

3. Be confident and enjoy myself more...be present in the moment

4. Save money and stop spending it on frivolous items

5. Write more freelance and contributor articles—write more OUTSIDE of the blog 

6. Be a better friend/daughter/sister

7. Go out with my friends more, put myself out there, stop saying NO

(These are definitely not concentrate things that I want to accomplish or change...just mental and emotional things I need to learn to control. I have a special post coming later in the week that I've been building for a while that I'm super happy and pleased with that are ACTUAL goals)

Blog Resolutions:

1. New Blog Design (already completed!)

2. Work with a major brand

3. Create more partnerships through brand affiliates and sidebar sponsors

4. Create an email newsletter (something you guys would be interested in?)

5. Host sponsorships for other bloggers

6. Hit 1,000 followers + viewership (daily)

7. Create a new weekly + monthly blog series 

My words of 2015 are CALM, CONFIDENT, HAPPY. 

Let's see if I could stick to everything.

What are your goals or resolutions for 2015? 

I have to start off by saying that 2014 was probably the best year I had in a while. It was definitely the most life changing year by far; so many wonderful things happened to me, so many incredible moments that I will cherish forever.

It's safe to say that 2014 has completely altered me forever, for the good. On December 31st, of every single year, I would look back on the past and hope for a better one in the future. When 2013 ended, I was content with how it went but there was something inside me that said 2014 is my year.

I could proudly say it was. 

Everything I have ever wanted happened in 2014. As good as it was, it was a big reflection year and I know 2015 is going to be just as challenging, in the best way possible.

Between traveling out of the country for the first time, becoming sorority woman of the year, graduating college, getting my first job...I can't even begin to explain all the life changing things that happened this year and all the lessons I learned. Some things I knew already and were just reaffirmed this year and others I was learning for the first time.

1. Always say 'I love you': Back in February, my dad had a massive heart attack and the doctors said there was no way he'd make it. It was the worst two days of my life and I've never felt pain like that. I've never been so scared. He made it through and it really opened my eyes that life is very short and you should always say how you feel, don't hold back, and make sure the people you love know it. Also, never be afraid to say 'I love you'. The best things come from those words and hearing them never fails to make you good.

2. Work for what you want: Ever since I was a sophomore and I became a sister of Phi Sigma Sigma, I wanted to be sorority woman of the year. It's a special honor given to one Greek woman every year and I wanted it. I wanted to make a change to Greek life at Iona and to my sorority and this was the year I did. I never did the things I did for recognition, I did it because I cared. Getting this award proved that hard work does pay off and if you just do things you love, people will take notice.

3. Open yourself up, be yourself: There are always going to be people who love you for who you are. Whether it's in a romantic way or just in friendship, be yourself. There's no need to put up walls or pretend to be someone you're not. If people really care about you, your true self will be enough. I was lucky enough, this year, to see that firsthand. Also, if you love people for who they are and never try to change them, everyone wins. 

4. The unknown is scary: Graduating college is the scariest, most exciting thing that will ever happen to me. As you know, I'm a Type A planner and organizer. There has never been a moment of my life that has not had a plan a, b, and c. That all changed on May 17th, 2014. The day I walked across the stage at Madison Square Garden and became an Iona alumnae. I didn't know what was coming next and to be honest, I still don't know what's coming. Becoming comfortable with the unknown future is the biggest lesson I learned, but it's also something that I'm still struggling with. I don't like not knowing what's going to happen but it's life and we have to deal.

5. It's never too late: By the time you're a senior in college, you have your set group of friends. Whether you go to a huge university or a small liberal arts college (like myself), you may feel like there's no need to expand your horizons. I learned the complete opposite this year. I cannot begin to explain how many new friendships I formed this year that have effected me more than words. From my best guy friends in my favorite fraternity, to the boy who I have admired since freshmen year, to my senior year roommates and my new sorority sisters...2014 was the year that I realized it's never too late to form a friendship or a relationship with someone new. There will always be someone new who can teach you something about yourself...or about life.

2014 was incredible. I met new people, formed new friendships, found out a lot about the type of person I am and want to be, and realized that the future is a scary place but if you have people who love and support you, you'll be okay.

Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2015 treats you just as well as 2014 treated me :)

I'm one of the few people who loathe New Years Eve. I'm not ashamed to say it, I actually hate this holiday. I don't know what it is but I just do not like it, I can't put my finger on it. 

Even though I don't like New Years Eve, I do like the idea of starting over and allowing yourself another 365 days to do something you've never done before. I don't, however, like the idea of waiting till January 1st to do something. If you want to change something, the best time to do it is right now. No excuses.

When it comes to the end of the year I enjoy reflecting on the previous 364 days and seeing how far I've come. 

I think it's safe to say that 2013 was one of the best years of my life. It was difficult at times but it was a big learning year for me, a big adjustment year and a fun year at best.

In my post almost a year to the day, I looked ahead and decided what my goals for 2013 would be. A lot of them were not completed, like getting a tattoo or handling my finances better. Some were definitely achieved like meeting new people and stepping out of my comfort zone.

2013 was ultimately a year of lessons for me:

- You  can't do everything alone and asking for help does mean you're a failure.

- Secrets will not always be secrets but it's okay to try, if it feels right.

- It's okay to be a little selfish sometimes. If you don't look out for yourself, who else will?

- Your plans will not always be executed the way you intended but roll with the punches and all will be okay.

- I'll figure things out, I always do.

There were some highlights of 2013 that truly made this one of the best years yet:

1. Turning 21 years old--is that shallow of me to say? It was such a relief when I got my new license in the mail and didn't have a worry in the world, anymore.

2. Interning at Levo League--my favorite website and a summer internship in Manhattan? What more could've I asked for! It was an amazing experience where I learned more than I ever thought possible.

3. Vice President--being Vice President of my sorority was the greatest thing to happen me in college. It taught me what kind of person I am, what kind of leader I am and showed me how much of a control freak really is. It taught me that you can't do everything alone and if you do your best, you did a good job. Being VP was a wonderful gift and something that made 2013 crazy, exciting and incredibly stressful; I wouldn't change it for a thing. 

4. Senior Year--becoming a senior is what I feared most in 2013. I never wanted it to come and I never want it to end. 

5. Being published in USA Today--I don't know if I ever posted it on here but in July I was published on USA Today College. This was the first time I was published on a large platform and it was truly an eye opening moment. It definitely was a highlight of this year and a journalism milestone for me.

There were so many other things that happened to me in 2013 like interning at CollegeLifestyles, dealing with my anxiety better, a bunch of fun social events and of course, another fabulous year of blogging.

What were your 2013 highlights? What are you hoping for in 2014?