Remember 24

   As 2024 comes to a close and 2025 begins, I find myself reflecting on how much my life has changed this year. It feels like just yesterday I was stepping into 2024, full of hope and uncertainty. Yet here I am, with the year almost behind me, feeling like a different person and more aware of myself, as well as my goals and future. 

“Sweet girl, the world won’t end when you’re 17.”

   I was talking to my friends the other day and they asked, “What has been the best year for you?” and I responded, “17 has been good to me.” As many challenges as 17 brought for me, I know I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it. The lessons I’ve learned, the people I’ve met, I don’t think I would be able to succeed or move on in life without it. Throughout this past year, I learned that true peace and comfort come from within, not from others’ approval. I spent so much time seeking fulfillment from outside sources, whether it was through work, friendships, or others’ expectations, that I disregarded my own inner needs. This year, I realized that to be able to feel at peace, I first had to embrace myself, find my own worth, and create a sense of balance, rather than relying on others, as well as distractions, to fill that void.

Overwork as Self-Sabotage; Realizing That True Success Requires Balance

“I need Wednesday covered, can you come in?”

 Yes, of course. 

“I need Saturday morning off, can you double?” 

Yes, what time do I have to be there?

   I didn’t realize how overwhelmed I was by work until I reached a breaking point. I was taking on hours that even people twice my age wouldn’t handle, and it became clear that I was pushing myself too hard. Eventually, I started saying “I can’t, I’m sorry” instead of overcommitting. But unfortunately by then, I had already dug myself into a deeper hole. Hearing “You’ve never done this before, I don’t believe you” stung me more than the reality of not being able to work. I found myself on multiple occasions in tears, sitting in the bathroom, and facing the truth that I had created this situation for myself. I had previously used work as a way to escape my reality from home and school. But that reality had become working 40 hours a week, as well as coming in early just to let others leave sooner. It was a pattern that was slowly wearing me down.

Not to mention, in late July, personal information about me was spread by co-workers. Though I can’t go into the details, I’ll admit it had a huge emotional impact. It made getting up for work feel unbearable, knowing I was walking into a place that could potentially tear me down. I felt isolated, with only a small group of people left by my side. But those few people are the ones I truly value. Being around them brings me comfort, and I’ll always be grateful for their support, and the genuine smiles and memories we share.

   Senioritis is real.

   I was blindsided by the fact that last year’s graduates weren’t lying about senioritis. It’s the type of thing when you don’t know until you’re in it. For all of May of last school year and heading into June, I was doing everything I could to earn the top position as editor-in-chief for this publication. I was able to achieve that goal. I truly take pride in my position, but I’ve also had to come to terms with the amount of responsibility I now have. There were multiple occasions when I had been told I was “stupid or useless” by other writers in the class.  From my point of view, those moments just proved that I needed to be better for the greater good. I also thought I was a modern day Einstein at the beginning of  the school year, and decided to fill my day with AP and honors-level classes. To top it off, I was overwhelmed by the college application process. I would stay up late every night, due to the fact I wouldn’t get off until 9 p.m. and I wouldn’t get home till 10-10:30 p.m. Once I was home I would spend three or more hours that night to fill out and finalize applications. This was no easy feat while also attempting to stay on top of school work. The weight of it all triggered a constant anxiety I couldn’t shake off, even when I wanted to. One night, I found myself staring at the blank screen, paralyzed by the idea of writing my Wayne State essay. I began to break down, and in that moment I truly realized how much I let anxiety take over my life. That was when it clicked. My essay came naturally when I wrote about my anxiety and about the internal battles I fight every day. I was able to condense my 500 word draft into 300, ending with a sentiment that meant everything to me. 

I’ve also struggled with procrastination and not being motivated throughout my entire high school career. I’ve determined that for me, senioritis is very much a thing; however, I’ve also determined so are junior jitters, the sophomore slump, and that freshman funk. That’s the thing I wish more people acknowledged. I want educators and other adults to recognize that all students face hardship at one point or another, and that’s okay. 

Shifting perspectives: how one person inspired me to embrace Heritage, overcome fear, and move forward

I met J in March, just before my 17th birthday, and from the start, I knew they were someone I needed in my life. They quickly became my best friend, and someone I wanted to share everything with. When I was accepted into a top school, J was the first person I texted. After a serious car accident last month, I ignored everyone’s concerns and focused on telling them the full story. Talking to J always felt easy and comforting, and I realized they came into my life for a reason. They taught me the importance of surrounding myself with people who accept me. That I didn’t need to prove myself to anyone but myself. But most importantly, they made me proud of my Hispanic heritage, something I had always been ashamed of before. While I’ve taken 4 years of Spanish throughout high school, J really inspired me to pursue learning Spanish outside of the classroom. While it is my hope to start a career in the medical field, I know there are many people out there where Spanish is their first and only language, and I want to be able to provide them with the health care they deserve, in their own native language. I don’t know what’s next in my life, but I hope J is there every step of the way. I also hope they realize how much they really saved me, and that’s why I dedicate this article to them.

  Thank you 2024 and welcome 2025.

   Everyone has struggles at one point or another, and I would argue that a majority of people experienced at least some type of challenge or hardship during 2024. I want to emphasize the fact that nobody is alone. There will always be someone willing to help or listen to your story, and I don’t want anyone to think otherwise.

   As 2024 wraps up and 2025 begins, I want to surround myself with better people and have bigger and better goals for myself. Overall,  I want to take better care of myself, take a day or two off each week just for me, and to focus on myself. Who knows what 2025 will bring?  I’m not going to set expectations because I would have never expected the things 2024 brought to me. While the anxiety, stress, and overworking brought me discomfort in the moment, I know I needed that to be able to grow into a better person. Nonetheless, I am forever grateful for my experiences over the past 12 months.  And to that, thank you 2024, and welcome 2025.