This year I am thankful for life. The opportunity to continue living throughout such a dangerous and questionable time in history is something you should be proud of too. This year was a year of growth for me. I struggled with my mental health a lot this year, and I am proud of myself for simply living. If there is anything I learned this year, it’s that staying alive is the bravest thing you can do. Just simply surviving. Because honestly, I did not think life was something to be excited about and I am proud of myself for still living. Despite how you feel, you wake up every day, whether you get out of bed or not is your choice, but you woke up. I learned that it’s the little things in life that we can’t take for granted. Romanticize your life. That cup of coffee or tea you drink each morning? Savor every last drop. Your boring commute to school every day? Look at the changing leaves, the beautiful scenery around you. When you focus on all the beautiful things life offers you, you start to feel better. Or at least that’s how it was for me. I started to romanticize my life. Take pictures of everything. They don’t need to be beautiful pictures and they don’t need to be posted anywhere, but take them anyway. The shadows on the sidewalk when you walk to class. The sun coming through the window of your apartment window. The world has so many simple and beautiful moments we take for granted for every day. On rainy days, we miss the sunshine. On sunny days, we miss the rain. When you start looking at what is directly in front of you and learning to love it, you will fall in love with life. And life is such a wonderful thing to fall in love with. Sure, it will break your heart, but it will bring you your happiest moments. So, if there is anything you can take away from this, fall in love with life. With living every day. We take the opportunity for life for granted too often.