This year has been a very confusing combination of wonderful and horrific. As 2014 approaches, I want to make a note of all the good things that seeped through the bad and helped me make it to this day.
My sisters, particularly Kim, who has been a constant support and a permanent smile on my face this year, and every year of our lives leading up to now.
My parents, who love and support me unconditionally.
My friends, particularly Connor, Luke and Ellen, who will never know how grateful I am to them for their unwavering friendship and love.
The opportunities afforded me this year: I woke up on January 1st 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. I since then travelled to 10 other countries, including Turkey, Greece, and Belgium, where I've been lucky enough to spend the last three months living. Not a great deal of 21 year olds have the opportunities that have presented themselves to me, and this is a reminder to myself to never take them for granted.
Tegan and Sara, for coming into my life at the exact time that I needed them. Their music connected to me like no music had done before them, reminding me that I was, somehow, going to be okay, and their wit and charm made me smile, laugh and distracted me from the horrors in my brain. For that, I thank them.
And finally, my beautiful girlfriend, Laura, without whom I definitely wouldn't be here right now. She's my spine, the air in my lungs and the laughter in my throat. She's loved me when I thought nobody possibly would, and more than that, she's teaching me how to get along with myself, too.
This is a note to myself to remember that 2014 will be the year I stop taking things for granted, including myself, and start appreciating life for what it is. This year isn't going to see a new me. It's going to see the old me back again. And she's here to stay.