This year, I am learning to let things be as they are. Life doesn't always unfold the way we hope. No matter how thorough our plans or flawless our strategies, sometimes, things simply don't work out. Dreams can be shattered, even when you are on the verge of making them a reality. At times, we fail big. We suffer huge losses when we least expect them. We experience painful breakups or betrayals that offer no closure. It is heart-breaking, frustrating, and often debilitating. I am not suggesting that I will become entirely stoic, or that I will stop feeling these emotions. Rather, I am learning that I don't need to obsess over circumstances beyond my control. I don't need to be consumed to the point of overlooking the small blessings that still exist in my life. I am coming to accept that overthinking, lashing out, numbing my feelings, harbouring bitterness, or hating myself solves nothing. I have tried. And trust me, it only makes things worse. Yet, when we allow things to simply be as they are, we regain focus on ourselves. We reclaim our power and can take meaningful action, without abandoning life itself.