2015
Isn’t it so lovely to reflect on the year past?
Had you asked me this in 2014 or 2013 my response would have been “BITCH, NO”. But looking back on ole two-kay-fifteen, I can’t help but contentedly smile and sigh with satisfaction. It was a banner year for Miss Julie over here. And like, not just hoist the banner high but also maybe refurbish it and make it bigger, chicer, more colorful.
I had my tarot cards read on a trip to LA in October as a gift to myself; an experience that I could remember instead of a souvenir to pack in my suitcase. The Reader drew a card with a sword on it, and told me that the past year and my future will be about learning to “yield my sword”; using it to protect and advance me in the world, but also to not use it against myself and cut myself down. 2015 has been the year of the sword y’all.
I YIELDED that shit. I started going after a promotion at work and I have to WORK for it. And if it pans out, it could be the single biggest life change of my blessed existence. I cut out toxic relationships. I sharpened pure and fulfilling ones. I met a man who for the FIRST TIME didn’t make me question my self worth when I was with him or my value to him (can you believe that shit? I found a piece of writing I did in 2014 talking about how worthless I felt. I was sad and amazed at how far away I was from the person who typed those words). I started working on a side hustle that is fulfilling, allows me to be creative and social, AND it gives me extra cash. I traveled internationally on my own for the first time and learned SO MUCH about myself in seven short days.
The end of 2015 has been less than swell. My grandfather is dying and that sucks a big one. I might have to have knee surgery in 2016 which terrifies me. And oh yeah, that international travel I did? I was in Paris during the terror attacks in November. Alone.
But the shiny stuff far outweighs the shitty stuff. And the best thing in reflecting on the shitty stuff, is knowing that I swung my sword and powered through and came out the other side with friends and family and a singularly great guy to give me a lift and let me rest my swinging arm for a bit.
Here’s to 2015. Here’s to looking at 2016. And here’s to yours and my swords: may they keep on swinging and never touch our own skin.
