2017 Reflection

Time to reflect on what happened in 2017…the good, bad, & everything in between, in order to grow, be grateful, & make changes for the new year ahead!

Happy 2018!! I don’t know about you, but I thought 2017 FLEW by! I find it almost surreal that 2018 has already begun. So much happened in 2017, & I think it’s extremely important to reflect on what happened, good or bad, in order to grow, be grateful, & make changes for the new year ahead.

With that said, every end is a new beginning. No matter if it is a new job, new relationship, new breakup, new outlook, new diet, ANYTHING!! As every chapter in life closes, a brand new one is created. This past year, I had a few chapters in my life come to a close.

Chapters that have shaped me & have heavily influenced my life course.

Chapter 1:

The 1st chapter that closed for me was my basketball career. For those who may not personally know me, I was a 4-year collegiate basketball player. My career ended February 2017 & it was a long road. I was so ready to let that part of my life go.

My teenage years, beginning when I was in 6th grade, were dedicated to my sport & improving, with the goal of playing in college. Fast forward many years later, it is now one of my greatest accomplishments, having my education paid in full… due to being an athlete. Although the road was by no means easy, basketball has given me SO much to be thankful for & I am who I am, because of it.

Everyone told me I would miss it & I would wish to be back in college playing, but I don’t, & that’s okay. This chapter has come to a close & I am more than at peace with it. Although I’m not physically playing the game, it’s always going to be a part of my life due to everything I have, people I’ve met, & opportunities that I have been fortunate enough to experience through playing the sport.

Chapter 2:

Another chapter closed on the day I graduated college. I graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a bachelor’s degree in Communication & a minor in Public Relations. Graduating was a very exciting time for me. My family was able to be there & I got to graduate with my now-fiancé, Devin. It was a wonderful day, full of excitement.

This is another end of a chapter that I was greatly anticipating…no longer a student!! Individuals who go on to multiple years of schooling after 4 years of college are AMAZING & deeply impressive, but that just wasn’t for me, & I knew that.

Graduation closed a chapter for me as a student athlete but it also opened up a whole new chapter of uncertainty. I made a decision to support Devin & his dreams of becoming a professional athlete (which he accomplished in November!!!). But this meant working jobs that didn’t fit my degree & getting tons of questions about where I want to be, career-wise.

Many people are not okay with the unknown & the thought of uncertainty is scary to some. Even if it’s not dealing with their own life. You don’t know how many people I came across that tried to question me & question why I didn’t have a job right out of college or questioned me while we were waiting for Devin’s first contract.

Uncertainty worries people, but it didn’t worry me.

Chapter 3:

Chapters of uncertainty are OKAY!

People love to have everything planned, everything organized, and they like to know exactly what is happening…even I’d be lying if I said I didn’t! Sometimes that’s just not the reality. It may bother people that you don’t have it all together but WHO CARES.

My mom told me, “when you live outside the grain, some people just can’t understand WHY.”

Instead of having a plan, this Summer & Fall, I experienced chapters of patience & transition. In November, Devin signed to a professional team in Nässjo, Sweden. This has opened up a whole new chapter for the two of us. Every year is going to be different…that’s life as a professional athlete. Nothing stays the same. But that’s exciting.

Chapter 4:

The final closing chapter for me this past year is my family moving from my childhood home. This is one chapter that I have been coming to terms with this past year, as I expected the move. My home is in Pennsylvania & it’s been such a magical place for me growing up & holds such precious memories.

Now in Florida, my family is somewhere they have always wanted to be. Although the home will no longer be ours, my parents made the home what it was to my brothers & I. The end of this chapter is an emotional one for me, but does provide a new growth opportunity. I hope to one day provide the same feeling of “home” to my own family one day.

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It’s so crazy how quickly life changes, I can only imagine where I will be at the end of this year. I am newly engaged, living in Sweden, and incredibly excited for new growth opportunities this year.

As each month goes by, it’s important to remind ourselves that uncertainty is okay, & while some days may feel wonderful & bright, there will probably be some days where you find yourself feeling down & not knowing where to go next.

That is okay, we are all human, & that is life.