Who am I, really? The question sounds ridiculous at first, like something you'd hear in a pretentious philosophy class. But every time I think I have an answer, it slips away. How much of what I love, what I believe in, what I dream of—is actually mine? And how much of it is just a collection of things I was told to be?

Have you ever felt like a person just… slipped out of your life? One day, they’re there, laughing, sharing stories, supporting you through everything, and the next, they’re gone. Not because of a fight or a falling out, but just because they decided they no longer wanted to be part of your story. They just faded away.

Have you ever said “yes” to something you didn’t really want to do, just because you felt like you had to? A party, a project, a spontaneous trip, or even just a coffee date you weren’t in the mood for? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone along with things because of one looming thought: What if I miss out? What if something amazing happens, and I’m not there to experience it? What if saying “no” means I fall behind, or worse, get forgotten?

As we rang in the new year, I couldn’t help but think about the phrase "Happy New Year." It's a tradition we all follow, yet when you really stop to think about it, it’s a bit strange, isn’t it? Happy New Year. How can we wish someone a “happy” year when we have absolutely no idea what the next 365 days will bring? Sure, we can hope for smooth sailing, but in reality, we’re all just one phone call away from a life-changing event. It’s funny because we wish for happiness like it’s this constant, unchanging state, but life is so much more than that. Life is messy, unpredictable, and full of both joy and sorrow. What if, instead of wishing for a happy year, we embraced a real year—a year of growth, change, and maybe even a little chaos?