2014 Has Come To A Close

As 2014 comes to a close, I can't help but think about everything that has happened throughout this crazy year. When 2014 started, I was finishing my last year of high school. Now as it comes to an end, I've just finished my first semester of college. It's strange to think about how fast time really does fly. This past year was filled with so many ups and downs, and I'm sure most of you could agree. I'm grateful for all the lessons learned and all the memories made. 2014 was strange. Here are a few things I learned throughout the past year:

We live in a world that's obsessed with butts. Don't even try to deny it. It seemed as if mostly everything in 2014 was geared toward some type of butt obsession. Why were so many songs (All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor, Anaconda by Nicki Minaj just to name a few) written about butts? Do people not have anything better to write about? (I guess I can answer that question myself.) Oh and lets not forget when Kim Kardashian tried to "break the internet" with her behind. Hopefully this booty craze will stay in 2014.

Online slang is very, very catchy. How many times a day do you catch yourself saying words like "bae" or phrases like "or nah"? Although I am one of the top users of these phrases, I really hope they don't follow through as heavily in 2015. I can't even begin to imagine what's going to pop up in our vocabulary in the upcoming year. I'm not sure if I should be nervous, or excited.

Embrace your self(ie). Sure, embrace your actual self too, but really; don't be ashamed to selfie-it up a little! 2014 brought with it what I like to call the "Selfie Movement". Everywhere you looked you would see someone taking a selfie, no matter who they were. Why are some people embarrassed to take selfies? The person next to you probably took one a few minutes ago! Own your selfie game and don't be ashamed of it. Who knows what 2015 will bring for the Selfie Movement.

Life is short. As sad as it sounds, it's so true. So many people I know lost loved ones this year, way before their time. I saw #RIP______ way too often on my Twitter timeline, and I know anyone with a Twitter can agree. You never know what's going to happen in this big, crazy world. If you miss someone, tell them. If you love someone, tell them. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, and you don't want to regret not saying something once it's too late.

With all that being said, I wish everyone a safe and happy New Year. May 2015 bring you everything you need and more, whether it be happiness, success, or relief. We get to start fresh in just two days, so try and make this new year a great one for you, however that may be. I'm not saying to bring up the basic "new year, new me" stuff, because we all know you aren't going to change that much. It's a new year, try taking it on in a new way. Don't change yourself (unless you really should), change the way you live. If you're usually a stress freak, relax a little. If you're always negative, try smiling and looking at the up side of things. Travel. Make new friends. Fall in love. Stay safe on New Years Eve, drink lots of Champagne (Uber home if you're out), and spend it with people you love.

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Happy New Year!

NG