As 2012 comes to an end, I think it’s important to reflect on what you have learned over the year. It’s not a time to scorn yourself for the mistakes you made. Instead, it’s a time to look back on the lessons learned and the ways you have changed.

I’m sure I’ve learned more than a few things over the year (or at least I hope so), but here are the 3 most prominent lessons I learned in 2012:

1) Losing your grandparents is an end-of-childhood experience

You may relate to this lesson if you have gone through the sorrowful experience of losing both sets of grandparents. This past February, I said goodbye to my last grandparent, my grandfather. In  just 24 months, I had lost the four individuals I may have taken for granted. My grandparents were the foundation of my family and a profound source of love. The journey of accepting such a loss can only be described as an end-of-childhood experience. It was hard realizing that, each day, a special memory I had of them may slip away unknowingly, and there was nothing I could do about it. I’ve learned that losing someone you love is an unfortunate part of life. I will show my gratitude for the love my grandparents have shown me by striving to love others in the same way.

2) Relationships shouldn’t be complicated

I may be single but I’ve still been learning about relationships. After observing plenty of great and not-so-great relationships, it’s clear to me that the right relationships are never complicated. I can now accept the fact that, in hindsight, I was in the wrong relationship.  Now, I’m just thankful for what I’ve learned. The more time that passes, the more I know that I will never allow myself to be in a relationship for the sake of being in a relationship. I’ve learned that there are qualities in a person that I am not willing to compromise on. I’ve also become more cautious after understanding what technology has done to our relationships.

3) I am completely in love with fashion

Speaking of relationships, I have learned that I am completely head-over-my-imaginary-Louboutin-heels in love with fashion. Growing up, I always said fashion was my passion.  I have let this passion come into full bloom over the course of 2012 (this was frightening news for my Visa though). I worked up the courage to start crazy.classy.chic which has motivated me to stay up-to-date in the world of fashion. It has made me brave enough to make bold fashion choices – things I would never have imagined myself wearing in the past. I finally feel like I am content with my sense of style (and semi-content with my wardrobe). I’m so flattered that the fashionable people in my life now regularly turn to me for fashion-related advice.

I hope you all take a moment to reflect on your life as 2012 comes to an end. It may sound cheesy but it’s a great experience. Even though I am usually opposed to change, it is important to recognize and be thankful for the positive changes in your life.

Wishing all my readers peace, love and happiness in the new year.

Cheers,

L.