Dear 2015.

Dear 2015,

Where do I even start? You were, by far, the best and weirdest year of my life.

I set out for this year to be all about me--I wanted to say yes and be brave and experience and adventure--and less than halfway through the year, that came to a halt as my life was suddenly all about someone else-someone I haven't even met yet.

You taught me that I can do hard things-things that seem impossible. I learned that I'm way stronger than I think I am. I learned to savor every season, even the hard ones.

You taught me that comparing myself to other people is absolutely pointless. That doing my best is absolutely enough.

You were the year where I decided to just write, no matter what, no matter who read it or how it looked. I've written creatively this year more than any other year, and I've done it for fun. Thanks for teaching me that doing what you love is essential, no matter what it looks like.

You taught me that most of all, I want to be empty when my time runs out. That I am spending my life. And that spending my life doesn't have to look like grand adventures and spontaneity...that I can spend my life in the best way right here at home.

You taught me that fresh starts are okay. That I don't have to wait for permission to make one. That I can wake up on any random Thursday and decide I want to start over.

You were the year where I learned that I won't always have a plan. I won't always be able to make a plan. And even though I desperately want to know everything, it's all going to work out, even if there's no plan on the horizon.

Five months into you, on a Wednesday, I woke up with no idea how drastically my life was about to change. I woke up thinking you would look one way, and went to bed with no idea how you were going to turn out.

Let me just tell you, you have been wonderful.

You've also been terrible, sure. But I won't hold that against you. Because you taught me so, so much.

You reminded me to not sweat the small stuff, because in the long run, it truly does not matter. You taught me that not all friendships are forever, and that's okay. You taught me that marriage is the greatest gift, because it is forever. You taught me what it's like to suddenly have a ton of responsibility, what it's like to work through the hard things and trust that it will all work out.

And sitting here, at the end of you, I have to say, it looks as if it's all worked out.

So thank you. Thank you for being the year that looked absolutely nothing like I thought it would. Thank you for being the year to teach me the things I didn't know I needed to learn. Thank you for being the year to bring me what I didn't know I wanted.

This may be where we say goodbye, but I can't say I'm sad to part ways-not when 2016 is hovering, promising so much, a cracked door that I can't wait to swing wide open and run though.

Goodbye, 2015. I will forever be thankful for you.

Spending 2015: 52 Things to do This Year + $150 Giveaway!

1. Pick a word you want to embody your year. When you're confused about what you want to do or what decision you should make, think about that word.

2. Make resolutions that will be helpful and that you'll actually stick to. Dropping five sizes probably won't happen. But going for more walks or staying on top of your laundry might.

3. Learn a new skill. Speaking a new language? Gardening? Changing a tire? This is your year, my friend.

4. Send a letter. Who doesn't like getting mail? Sending it is almost as fun.

5. Learn how to make your favorite cocktail at home. And coincidently save yourself roughly three thousand dollars in the process.

6. Go for a walk with your bare feet. 

7. Make a 5 year dream plan. If your next five years could be planned according to your wildest dreams, what would they look like?

8. Spend a day thrifting. 

9. Make something with your hands. 

10. Buy a planner. And actually use it this time.

11. Make yourself an "I'm totally going to win 2015" playlist. At any point this year when you feel overwhelmed, rock out to said playlist.

12. Learn to enjoy nights in. They're cheaper, cozier, and can make for some pretty good memories. That's nothing to scoff at.

13. Go to an outdoor concert. And dance your little heart out.

14. Keep a dreams and goals and good ideas journal. 

15. Do something nice for someone who has no way of repaying you.

16. Have a movie night with movies that you know nothing about. Go to Red Box and pick the first three movies that look interesting.

17. Say yes more. When your first instinct is to say no just because it's something you'd usually say no to, consider saying yes.

18. Say no more. To things you don't enjoy and feel obligated to do.

19. Call someone. Your parents, your grandparents, your college roommate...anyone who would enjoy hearing from you.

20. Journal every day for a month. It's a good habit to have.

21. Look up copycat recipes for your favorite restaurants. Seriously a game changer.

22. Clean out your closet. Are you really going to ever wear those tie-dyed leggings that you bought for that one rave that you never went to? Probably not.

23. Watch more sunrises. 

24. Do something new and don't tell anyone about it. Don't instagram it or snapchat it or tweet about it. Have a memory just for yourself.

25. Have nights out. Because life is short, so go dancing sometimes.

26. Remove one unhealthy thing from your life. Whether it's soda or a toxic relationship, get rid of it.

27. Read a book you've never even heard of before. Support indie authors!

28. Get organized. 

29. Do that one thing you've always wanted to do to your hair. It's hair, and it will grow back.

30. Start working out. 

31. Learn how to make a killer breakfast, because breakfast food is always appropriate at any given time.  

32. Make a bucket list. Do one thing on it.

33. Start a morning routine. Reading a chapter and having a cup of coffee before you start your day sure sets a different tone than pressing snooze four times and flying out the door without time to take a shower does.

34. Get a library card. Free books, people!

35. Keep a list of reasons you're happy to be alive.

36. Redecorate. Wherever you live, you should like the way it looks.

37. Paint something.

38. Question what you believe. If someone asked you what you believed, would you be able to explain why?

39. Make a scrapbook.

40. Stand up for yourself at least once. 

41. Start drinking more water. And then watch your skin get better and your headaches disappear.

42. Write something.

43. When you think of things you want to do, write them down.  

44. Next time you see something that you like, but it doesn't look like something you'd normally wear, buy it. And then wear it, because life is short.

45. Make gratitude a part of your day.

46. Stand up for someone who isn't there to stand up for themselves. 

47. Have a game night date night.

48. Go somewhere you've never been before. A new coffee shop or a new country, explore this year.

49. Go out without makeup on. You're beautiful. Give your skin a break.

50. Go on a picnic. 

51. Practice thinking. Think before you talk, before you buy, before everything. Just think.

52. Work on becoming the best version of yourself. Because 2015 is a great year to become someone you're really proud of.

Also, it wouldn't hurt to start 2015 off with a little extra cash, right? I've teamed up with some of my favorites to help you start this year on a high note with $150. Happy entering!

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