2017
My year began incredibly different than it is ending. 2017 has been my year of intense growth, for which I am grateful for. My year has been so much more than I can put into words, but for the sake of memories and wanting to look back on this year, I've tried to make sense of the big picture that my year has painted for me. Filled with good times and not so good times, I have faith in the direction I'm headed next year.
In February, I made one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make. With unhealthy circumstances that kept building up and an unacceptable amount of pain each week, I made the decision to take a break from dance. Although at the time things were very hard, I know that the choice I made was the best for me. I lost many friends from this decision, and lost a part of myself I had known since I was three years old. My greatest strength this year was learning to stand up for myself and not let anyone tell me I couldn't do something. My greatest achievement this year was proving those people wrong. A few weeks later, I was able to reconnect with my old dance teacher. After two years out of contact, it took no time at all to get me back to doing what I love. I began taking dance lessons a few times a week over facetime with her. It felt like my life was back on track and that I could do anything I put my mind to.
When April came around on the calendar, I was full of anticipation for the adventure of a lifetime. I traveled to France with my school to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Whilst on this trip, I had the incredible honor of visiting my relative's grave at the Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery. As the first of my family to pay my respects I was so emotional to be able to share this experience with my dad who helped me through the entire process of research. Not a day has gone by that I haven't thought about my time on this trip.
While away in France, I woke up early one morning to the unexpected news that my grandfather had passed away. That day taught me a lot about how you can't feel guilty for living your life to it's fullest.
While away in France, I woke up early one morning to the unexpected news that my grandfather had passed away. That day taught me a lot about how you can't feel guilty for living your life to it's fullest.
In May, I went to Montreal with my school for our band trip. I loved spending time with my friends and getting to know some people even more. This was a week that I had looked forward to for all my years in band, and I made memories that will last forever! I was sorry to wave goodbye to Montreal once again afterwards.
The day after I returned, my family and I took off for a weekend away at a dance competition. This was my first competition at premier level, as well as my first time seeing all of my old friends from my old studio. It turns out that my philosophy on living my life for myself was the right approach - I had great success in the competition, was the bigger person to those who had torn me down in the past, and spent time with family friends after a few months apart.
May was also the month that my grammie passed away. I think of her every day, and I'm reminded of her in the smallest of ways in my life.
Later in the month, I competed to represent my province at the Canadian Championships which has been a goal of mine ever since I can remember. Despite all of the setbacks that happened dance-wise in the past year, I achieved my goal with thanks to my family and close supporters.
I turned 17 in May this year as well!
At the beginning of summer, I finished up my grade 11 year at school and had some time to myself to enjoy the warm weather. I performed for visitors to the Island a few times a week all summer while also working a regular job at my local library. Every day I was able to do what I loved while still having plenty of time for a break. My summer was full of adventures, and I took the time to do things I wanted to do without worrying what other people would think. I didn't focus on pleasing other people as I so often do... Instead, I spent a few months living each day to the fullest and being happy with what I had. Summer 2017 was so important to me because I had the chance to have an outlook on my life that I had never allowed myself to have before.
September came around, and I had my last first day of grade school. It's been a long journey, but I'm thankful for every experience I've had. The fall of 2017 made for some tough days that I'm still working out. If you know me well, you'll know that I've been through some health problems over the last year and that they've gotten worse in recent months. My health is still affecting the rest of my life... At school, I've fallen behind on a lot of work, I've dropped out of one class that I used to love, and I have had to work through things with my teachers every day to ensure I get the marks I need. I don't usually talk about the 'bad' times with many people because I choose not to dwell on things that won't help me move forward in life. However, I'm happy to say that although I'm never sure how each day is going to go, I believe I have made it through the worst of things and that I'm on the mend.
Despite the tough times, I really do feel as though 2017 was my year for taking control on how I live my life; there is no longer any room for negativity in my life, nor is there room for people who bring me down. I choose to surround myself with people who lift me up, and I know when I need to change things. I'm going into 2018 with a mindset of never giving up and to continue loving my life as it is. There are incredible things in the works for 2018, and I can't wait to share them as they come up.
xoxo
Later in the month, I competed to represent my province at the Canadian Championships which has been a goal of mine ever since I can remember. Despite all of the setbacks that happened dance-wise in the past year, I achieved my goal with thanks to my family and close supporters.
I turned 17 in May this year as well!
At the beginning of summer, I finished up my grade 11 year at school and had some time to myself to enjoy the warm weather. I performed for visitors to the Island a few times a week all summer while also working a regular job at my local library. Every day I was able to do what I loved while still having plenty of time for a break. My summer was full of adventures, and I took the time to do things I wanted to do without worrying what other people would think. I didn't focus on pleasing other people as I so often do... Instead, I spent a few months living each day to the fullest and being happy with what I had. Summer 2017 was so important to me because I had the chance to have an outlook on my life that I had never allowed myself to have before.
September came around, and I had my last first day of grade school. It's been a long journey, but I'm thankful for every experience I've had. The fall of 2017 made for some tough days that I'm still working out. If you know me well, you'll know that I've been through some health problems over the last year and that they've gotten worse in recent months. My health is still affecting the rest of my life... At school, I've fallen behind on a lot of work, I've dropped out of one class that I used to love, and I have had to work through things with my teachers every day to ensure I get the marks I need. I don't usually talk about the 'bad' times with many people because I choose not to dwell on things that won't help me move forward in life. However, I'm happy to say that although I'm never sure how each day is going to go, I believe I have made it through the worst of things and that I'm on the mend.
Despite the tough times, I really do feel as though 2017 was my year for taking control on how I live my life; there is no longer any room for negativity in my life, nor is there room for people who bring me down. I choose to surround myself with people who lift me up, and I know when I need to change things. I'm going into 2018 with a mindset of never giving up and to continue loving my life as it is. There are incredible things in the works for 2018, and I can't wait to share them as they come up.
xoxo
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