I'm probably never going to be able to fully articulate what a challenge 2015 was for me. Suffice to say I don't look back on the past year with fond memories, and I fervently hope this year is as wonderful and generous as last year was miserable.

I had a disastrous relationship, lost my job, lost friends who meant the world to me, and that wasn't even the worst of it. Ending the year on such a low note was something of a blessing in disguise though. I mean, so much went down that there's nowhere else to go but up really, and I have this sense of relief ever since I resigned myself to starting over.

I personally think that it's good to start over. You have to start over if you want to see an improvement in your life. And my life was falling apart more than it ever had before. I've always had problems with my mental health, but never to this extent before. So many life events kept happening that it kept piling up. I needed a break. Somehow. I needed to get away from it all. I remember my friend talking to me a while back about cannabis and how that helped her remain calm in the situations she was facing too. She sent me a guide some weeks ago from somewhere like Scholayoa that went into detail about dry herb vaporizers and bongs and which one was better for taking cannabis with. It was really informative, and I thought about it for a while because I really needed relief. I was desperate. But I have yet to try it. I think starting over is something I should try first, but it may be something that I consider in the future.

In spite of my generally negative feelings, I did learn many things over the past year, and one or two good things did happen, for which I'm grateful. I struggle with pretty serious social awkwardness, and even though I seem extroverted online, in real life, I'm very shy, and often have difficulty navigating social situations that are easy for most people. Some people came into my life by chance last year, and I honestly made an effort to learn something from each person. It mostly wasn't easy, and I cried a lot. (Come to think of it, I've cried more in my adult life than I ever did as a child).

Accurate characterisation of my life as an adult.

Oh, and I started drinking too. I developed the ability to polish off a bottle of wine all by myself, and now I understand why people drown their sorrows in alcohol. It definitely helps you slip away for a few hours, and forget the world.

This year though, I just want to be happy and take a real chill pill about everything in general.

Not as a goal, but anything that's going to stress me out, or make me feel bad about myself, or add to my anxiety - thanks but no thanks.

In fact, I have already started to do some research into alternative remedies and herbal products that I can use going into the new year to boost my mental health.

For example, some friends of mine have been talking a lot about kratom recently. Basically, kratom leaves have been used in alternative medicine for chronic pain and other mental health conditions throughout history and it is a hugely popular natural remedy. Nowadays, some people even use kratom as a form of substitution therapy when faced with opiate withdrawal symptoms. For people living with addiction issues, kratom is, therefore, a potential solution.

On top of this though, I'm trying very much this time, to rely on myself for my own happiness and fulfillment, and the way I plan to do that is by addressing issues that have been a source of unhappiness for me full on, especially my body image, my finances, and my depression.

So many people sent me messages, comments, and emails full of love, support, and encouragement, and I wish I could personally thank every single one of you who did, but I literally received well over five thousand messages combined, and I'll be responding to all of them well into summer. I can't quite put into words my thanks, but I'll try. Thank you for helping me get through one of the most difficult moments of my life.

As for those I thought were friends but when everything hit the fan, couldn't be bothered to say even a word of encouragement or reach out, thank you for showing your true colours so I can avoid you.

Here's to an infinitely better year, come what may.

xoxo,

Sugabelly.