What This Year Taught Me

This year stretched me in ways I didn’t expect. It tested my patience, my faith in people, and at times, my faith in myself. There were moments when life felt heavy—when disappointment lingered and silence spoke louder than words. In those moments, I understood how easy it is to harden, to shut down, to protect myself by feeling less.

But it taught me something important: I don’t want a hardened heart. No matter how difficult things get, I refuse to let hardship or other people’s mistreatment change who I am at my core.

I’ve always worn my heart on my sleeve, and for a long time, I thought that meant I was too open, too vulnerable, too much. This year taught me that I don’t need to stop feeling deeply—I just need to feel wisely. I can remain open and compassionate while still preserving my privacy. Not everyone deserves access to my inner world, and that realization brought me peace.

I learned that softness and strength can coexist. That grace doesn’t mean self-sacrifice. Being kind doesn’t require enduring disrespect. This year showed me how to keep my heart soft while standing firm in my boundaries—how to say no without guilt, how to walk away without losing my dignity, and how to protect my peace without losing my warmth.

I also learned that not everything is meant to stay. If something—or someone—is not aligned with my values and my purpose, that misalignment is a non-negotiable for me. Letting go was painful, but staying would have been a betrayal of who I’m becoming. Choosing myself wasn’t easy, but it was necessary.

What I carry forward is this balance: a heart that still feels deeply, boundaries that honor my worth, and the wisdom to choose who gets close. This year didn’t break me—it refined me. And that lesson will stay with me long after the year ends.