This is a response to the Daily Challenge #1 set by DrnkOnShdws on the MixerFit Discord. My response apparently was too long as a Discord post, so I decided to turn it into a blog.

Daily Challenge #1

Pen and paper. Write down things in 2017 Bad/Good, that directly impacted your life. Below that, write how you felt when 2017 ended. Finally, write realistic goals for yourself for 2018.

2017 Bad:

• My depression hit rock bottom at the beginning of the year (1/10). I don't get to point of suicidal, but this was pretty damn close.
• I was diagnosed with moderate depression, anxiety, and insomnia, and prescribed antidepressants, only for me to lose my health insurance after 1 month's dose.
• I quit my job because I was overwhelmed, stressed, and completely unhappy with the shift in responsibilities.
• My boyfriend of 4.5 years broke up with me over a text argument where he thought I was forcing him to accept a friend of mine when I was trying to get him to understand that said friend isn't a bigot.
• I lost a long time friend, triggered by the breakup.
• I was unemployed for over half a year and used up my savings pursuing my dreams.
• I pulled a lower back muscle due to using an exercise machine with bad form, and was out of commission for a while, ending my exercise (yoga helped!).
• My aspirations to become a community manager fell through (I shifted focus).

2017 Good:

• The 1 month of meds (placebo) kick-started habits that got me out of depression (exercise, pursuing a passion/streaming, finding things that made me happy).
• The relationship ending made me realize that I was really unhappy with it, to begin with and that I wasn't being true to myself while in it.
• The friend I lost to the break up was actually really toxic, and I made other friends who have been amazing to me.
• I got partnered on Mixer.
• I was rehired by my old job to do what I was originally meant to do, design. I have a feeling me quitting caused her to change responsibilities because she wasn't using people for their strengths. I have a pretty flexible part-time schedule, and I actually enjoy what I'm doing at work now.
• I rekindled my confidence and passion for design, which was why I stopped pursuing community management.
• I met the love of my life (strong words, I know) through pursuing my passion.
• I went from having no direction to having some direction and hope for the future, and I've set goals.

2017 End:

The year started out looking very bleak. In the darkness, I found a small piece of hope through the one thing that made me happy still, and it was the community I found on Beam/Mixer. I chased it relentlessly and committed to it full-time (until I ran out of money, and got rehired by my old job). It was honestly the most fun and happy I've ever been. Then, I met someone who completely understood me, and realized life could get even better. It's not until I look back that I see what a night/day difference the beginning/end of the year has been. No matter what comes my way, I absolutely believe that it can better. Also, pursue your passion. It might change path later on (aspiring community manager back to being a designer), but it's still worth trying.

2018 Goals:

• • I am making $X a year doing what I love.
  • I am living together with X and working on projects with him.
  • I am traveling the world, and visiting my grandparents often.
  • I helped my mom find financial freedom and create the life she loves.
  • I am making health a priority (fitness goals listed on the discord).

Amount and name redacted for personal reasons 😉

If you haven't done reflections for last year and/or set goals for this year, I highly recommend doing it. Overcome the fear about how far you get or how many times you fall down (we all have this), figuring out your direction is still a good first step.