Welcome to 2017, congratulations for making it through 2016…also known as the year that sucked. Now I’m not the only one that felt that way, there are plenty of people on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Snapchat, and Instagram that felt the same way. But why? Why did 2016 suck so much? I could look at all of the hate, fear, anger, and social anxiety that blossomed and caused America to basically self-implode, but I’m not going to bring that up. Nope. That ugliness is for 2016 and it’s going to stay there, hopefully…just kidding, we’re only 9 days into 2017 and the world has already crapped on a lot of parades but that’s not what this post is about. No, this post is about all the good and positive things that are going to happen in 2017.

I’m Black, young, educated, and talented and I’ll be damned if I don’t shine brightly in 2017. I want to sprinkle Black Girl Magic all over the world, especially all over the lives of my grumpy Facebook friends who are always mad about something. At least when I’m mad about something, usually social issues, I balance my posting with silly memes because I’m the Meme Queen.  But enough of that, let’s get back to the point. 2017 is going to be great. It’s going to be a year that is full of everyone excelling and showcasing what makes them great and how they are bettering society. You can do it. I have faith in the human race and if we don’t, well at least I’m 21 and can drink my way to success and an early grave.

Don’t give me that look. That’s how all the tragically great writers do it. They have really crappy lives, they drink away their sorrows and in glaring moments of sobriety they pour their heart, soul, and misery into their work and then we, the consumer, devour their work and tear it to shreds…and the cycle continues.

But anyway, I’m getting off topic again. 2017. Yes, 2017 is going to be fantastic. This is the year I’m truly going to raise the bar and change my life. I might sound like every person on January the first after they’ve looked over their New Year’s Resolutions but I’m so serious. There are just too many important things that are going to happen in my life this year for me to believe this year isn’t going to be amazing. I graduate from college this year. I’m a first generation Black student that not only finished college but excelled in it. Through my college education, I was able to study abroad and visit multiple countries. Through my college education, I’ve become a stronger and more independent human being and a better person. (Insert brownie points, please.)

I don’t know about you but that’s some great stuff to do before you’re 21 and yes by this point in my life I thought I would have everything mapped out already but I was wrong. Maybe the reason I’m so excited about this year is because this is the year that my adult life truly starts. This will be the first time in 18 years that I will not return to school in the fall. That’s amazing, but freedom comes with responsibility. This is also the first year that I’ll work full-time, start paying on my student loans, start looking at apartments, and take full responsibility for my health insurance… because my mom can’t do that forever.

2017 is also the year that I’ll finally be able to pursue my writing career; make new friends; get braces (as an adult because I was stupid as a kid); travel more; love more; grow more, and just experience life more. Hopefully, you’ll be there with me. Until then, welcome to 2017–the year of adulting.

May 2017 treat you better than 2016 ever did.