End it clean and end it well.

And then it was the end of a year and the beginning of a new one.

This year wasn't the best. But I do not hate it. It was better. Better than the previous one. And that's the only thing we can do, right? Make sure that we keep getting better.

This year was a lot of firsts. My first job. Hence, my first salary. My first time to travel by myself. My first time to write a story. My first year in Abu Dhabi. My first press pass. My first indie photo shoot. My first new year celebration with my family after five years. My first time to get sick during Christmas. Too many things. I'm sure there were more but I just can't remember them.

This year I did things that I've never dreamt of doing. But I still wish I could have done more. I wish I wrote, traveled, took pictures, enjoyed my time, loved, and stayed in touch more. But this year, I've come to realize that no matter how many times I felt alone, I never was. And I wish I was able to appreciate that.

This year is ending. This moment is the ending. End it clean and end it well, Marla Miniano once said. But this year is also a beginning. Another chance to live. Another chance to make things right. Another chance to do the things we love. Another chance to be with those we love. Another chance to love. And you don't get that everyday.

The future is unknown, but it is in our hands. Let's begin clean and let's begin well. Let's begin with being fearless.