The Difference a Year Makes

This Sunday marks exactly one year since my college graduation. It wouldn’t be proper for it to come and go without me reflecting on how much has changed in that time.

365 days may not seem like a big deal in the grand scheme of things but that particular stretch of time has been largely definitive in my life thus far.

In December 2009:

• I didn’t know what I was going to do after graduation.
• My favorite song on the radio was “Tik Tok” by Ke$ha (only God can judge me).
• I was living in New Tampa and going to Peabody’s like nobody’s business.
• My main concern was finding a “big-girl” job and myself.
• I worked at the mall and loathed being a slave to retail.

In December 2010:

• I’ve been in possession of my diploma for about four months and am still learning of its weight.
• My favorite song on the radio is “Only Prettier” by Miranda Lambert.
• I live in South Tampa and go to MacDinton’s, Hyde Park Cafe, Dubliner, etc. like nobody’s business.
• My main concern is what my next career move will be.
• I work at an ad agency and despite the craziness, am gaining more experience than I’d have ever imagined.

When I went home for Christmas last year, I was peppered incessantly by friends and family about just what I was going to do with my life. I had five or six options, none of which I was particularly sold on.

When I go home for Christmas this year, I can confidently speak about my life and the many blessings I’ve been granted. Nowhere on my list of options was “Find a job in my field, in Tampa” because I didn’t think that was possible.

Of course fundamentally, I’m the same old Wittyburg. I’m still unsure of myself, falling for the wrong guy and learning about life’s twists and turns on the daily.

The thing is, I continually strive to make each year better than the last. I never want to look back and say, “That was the best time of my life.” What’s the point if you’re not always at the best time of your life?

And Lord only knows where I’ll be a year from now. I just hope I don’t revert back to thinking Ke$ha’s “music” is good.