My nineteenth year.

Tomorrow I begin my last teenage year. I am scared, and excited, nervous, and content. I know what this year will hold, and whatever its outcome, I know there will be many changes. Change however, does still frighten me, yet I know that it is inevitable. I have goals, ambitions and dreams for this year that reach far beyond those previous.

Looking back over the past year fills me with immense pride. I have dealt with issues that go far beyond any words possible, yet I am stronger now than I ever have been before. I am truly happy. I have moved forward and have discovered for myself that the only thing that looking back does is create unnecessary heartbreak and torment.

Since the 21^st of March 2012 I have decided that I no longer want to dwell and wallow in misery or in past experiences. I have decided that I want to live life, to a great extent I have also made a life for myself. This year has seen me mature from a girl in to an adult and words cannot describe how much I have changed. Yes, I still have moments when I think it would be easier to give in, but do you know what – I don’t. For me, I have come to realise that there is so much good in the world, so many genuine and love-filled people who care.

So this next year, I will leave college – my safe haven. For the past three years my college has been the place where I felt safest, I have been surrounded by friends and lecturers that really want the best for me. They have encouraged me to reach my dreams, picked me up when I needed it, and taught me that everything will be ok. They have also taught me that life is a slow process that cannot be rushed, and that to enjoy it the most you must walk slowly – take baby steps. If you would have asked me this time last year whether I was ready to leave college, I would have said “no” in a heartbeat. However, I now feel that I am ready to begin my new chapter.

Whatever this next chapter may hold for me, I know that it will be incredible. Anything will be incredible. This is because I am content and ready for whatever this journey throws my way. My childhood has flown by, and now it is now time to put all that I have learnt throughout the years in to practise. I am no longer that little girl, I am ready for this world.