Happy New Year! It’s 2018 and I have no doubt that this is going to be my year. The year 2017, was most definitely a year of reflection, self-realization and growth. I made the decision to change my diet, embrace healthy eating and I lost a total of 25 lbs. I spent time doing things I love, such as dancing, cooking, working out and spending time with friends and family. In 2017, I also brought to life Stress Less, Cook More and maintained a 4.0 GPA in grad school.

But amid my accomplishments, I also lost control of my life and let stress consume me. I continued to work a job that made me unhappy and I began taking it out on the people I love most. For me and many others, it’s second nature to just accept stress as the norm. I had gotten to a point where I had just accepted it, but then the pressure, stress and unhappiness started to take a toll on my body. My hair started falling out in clumps. I started having chest pains and was feeling exhausted all the time. After many doctor’s appointments, and tests upon tests, the diagnosis was…stress. I am only 27, so if I were to continue down this path at such a young age, just imagine what the consequences would be down the road. That’s when I had a major wake up call, a revelation. It was time to make a change and take back control of my life.

The scariest thing about change is that it is something different and new. It’s natural to feel uneasy about change, but if you are already unhappy and stressed, what do you really have to lose? That’s what I told myself.  After three years at my job, it was time to take a leap of faith and embrace what I had been so afraid of. I applied for a new job opportunity and with guidance from God, the support of my family and my friends, all my hard work paid off and I landed an amazing new career advancement opportunity in the healthcare insurance industry. As I read my job offer letter, I literally cried tears of joy and immediately felt relief. I start my new career adventure on Jan. 22, 2018 and I am so excited to continue my marketing career in the field of healthcare! I’m so hopeful about this new opportunity and I’m confident that it will bring me peace of mind, happiness, joy and will allow me to be more present in my family’s life.

In 2017, I’ve learned a lot about myself and the direction I want to go. In 2018, I will start a new job, graduate from grad school and marry my best friend. The year 2018 will be a year of change and it is going to be my year! I’m so ready for all that 2018 will bring. My biggest lesson learned is to not sweat the small stuff. Don’t let stress consume you. Never settle for anything less than what you are worth. If you are unhappy, it’s time to make a change. Find your passion, make a difference and love your life. Happy New Year and I hope that this year is filled with inspiration, joy and peace. And last, but not least, don’t forget to savor the moments in life that matter most.