2019 -> 2020

We are in the last literal WEEK of 2019 - where the heck did the year go?

This year I:

• Quit two jobs

• Got a new job and also got promoted

• Traveled to Italy

• Saw 10 dances I choreographed in my first Ballet Box recital - and started choreographing another 10 - and started freelance choreographing

• Went to a plethora of concerts/festivals, including The 1975, JohnnySwim, Windy City Smokeout, and Spring Awakening

• Celebrated one of my best friends' engagement

• Did a few fashion and dance photoshoots

And honestly so much more I can't even list everything so here are some pictures

Isn't it crazy what a year can do? Who I was in January 2019 is so different than who I am now.

I knowwww, it's cliche. But everything from the way I think and speak to my morning routine is different. I said this last year, and I'll probably say it again next year, but this year has proven to be the most exciting and challenging yet.

While I'm sure it wont get any easier, I know that I'll keep moving through it all.

Okay but isn't it ACTUALLY CRAZY what 10 years can do? As we move into this new decade, think about where you were 10 years ago, in 2009/2010.

I was 13 years old, straightened my hair every single day because my mom always cut it way too short, had a terrible sense of style, and had a crush on a boy who I quickly realized was a complete idiot (but who isn't an idiot in 8th grade?). I can proudly say I grew out my hair, became a little fashionista, and my tolerance for idiocy is close to nonexistent.

Also, think of what we've lived through and experienced the last decade! Royal weddings, the first iPad, Gangnam Style, the legalization of same sex marriage, Netflix, mass shootings, that black and blue/gold and white dress controversy, Barack Obama and Donald Trump, the rise and fall of Vine, a solar eclipse, the cubs won the 2016 word series....

In 10 years, I've experienced the deepest love and ugliest hate; pure joy and passion but also frustration and boredom; school dances and graduations and hookups and breakups and get-back-togethers; voting and driving and perfectionism and freedom and sunrises.

Everything I've experienced, on top of the way I'm hardwired, has made me a little more protective of my heart and energy. And that's okay! The world is fucking insane, and it's hard not to become a little cold and a little hardened to the world.

But there's still a lot of life left to live, and I want to experience it fully. That doesn't mean I have to do big things, but no matter what I do, I want to do it with such energy and passion and vividness... Like in 2030, I want to look back on 2019-2029 and see the brightest colors, ya know?

What I'm trying to say is that the last 10 years brought a lot of change, and the next 10 years are going to do so too (I will be turning 30 in this next decade soooo that's freaky to think about), but I don't want to be scared of whatever is going to happen.

I'm going to laugh until it hurts, love with less fear, go more places, read more books, ask more questions, have the hard conversations, and dance - all the time. Just like, live bigger and deeper no matter what I do, where I am, and who I'm with.

Whatever is coming, we're gonna take it and make it the best it can be.

2020 here we come!