Editorial: end of the year wrap-up

Somehow, we’ve almost reached the end of another year and another semester. To avoid sounding like a wistful old man who constantly comments on how quickly time passes, I’ll give my head a shake and talk about the past year constructively.

Even though I tend to be a persistently pessimistic person sometimes, especially when I feel stressed, reflecting on what opportunities I’ve had during 2017 is a way that can keep me annoyingly positive, or as positive as I can be with exams looming on the horizon.

It’s easy for me to lament over the things that have gone wrong, or what New Year’s resolutions I inevitably didn’t fulfill, but I try not to allow myself to look down that rabbit hole too deeply. Focusing more on the things that have gone right isn’t always an easy task, but it helps put things into perspective.

Looking back on the year, I mainly want to express gratitude for how things have played out. Working as the Opinion Editor for The Cord has been nothing but an eye-opening, wonderful experience.

I never would have thought that I would be in the position I am today, especially this time last year. My involvement in extra-curricular activities has always been kept to a minimum, as my nagging anxiety has always convinced me that I would never be able to succeed in the roles I’ve undertaken.

Trying to convince myself that the bare minimum was always the better alternative than pushing myself to do more, has led me to meet more lovely people, improve on myself both personally and professionally and prove that I am actually capable of doing more than what my mind likes to tell me.

I’m a mixed bundle of emotions when I think about leaving 2017 behind and moving onto 2018, but I’ll do so with my head held high and my notebook’s blank pages ready for a fresh list of goals in the New Year.

I’m a list-maker, a compulsive over-planner and a dedicated note-taker. I feel the most content when I’ve organized my to-dos and my entire schedule down to that last, insignificant detail. That includes “goals” lists and endless written promises of what I want to do and improve on.

Although I can’t check off every point for 2017, like showcasing an impressively ripped body, or a hobby that I’ve now mastered, I’m doing what I told myself I wanted to do this time last year.

The thing about perseverance is that it isn’t easy. It has highlighted aspects about myself that I used to file away under the “deal with later” category and that I’ve actually had to actively improve on.

Forcing myself out of my comfort zone has never been one of my strong suits, but I can safely say that it’s opened my eyes to the possibilities and experiences I was missing out on before. It’s exposed the potential I hold and the newfound ambition I feel to meet it.

Even though this year has brought its own set of particular challenges, from health issues, to more mental breakdowns than I’d like to admit, I have never regretted being in the position I am now.

To the people I see and work with every week, my friends, my family, my unending network of support, I want to thank you for being the extra push I’ve needed to keep moving forward.

I’m a mixed bundle of emotions when I think about leaving 2017 behind and moving onto 2018, but I’ll do so with my head held high and my notebook’s blank pages ready for a fresh list of goals in the New Year.