These 365 days felt a little longer. Too many happenings, brand new people and a flurry of thoughts and emotions made it feel like twice the year it was. From the first month to the last a core memory created and a heartfelt moment lived. Everyday a different group of friends that made every minute worth remembering. A gallery full of good photos and countless deleted ones. The first late night two-wheeler ride with the same friends that you used to cycle with. Fancy dinners with the same people you had cutting chai with. Tight hugs after hours of talks and gossips, loudest of laughs after the most ominous conversations.

Although it wasn’t all good to be honest because nothing ever is. Bad days, weeks and sometimes months but for the first time ever people to get me through everything. Experienced everything from exam stress, helplessness and fear of failure, even the worst of heartbreaks and saw people around me crumble a little bit too. Sometimes it felt like the tear drought of many years might come to an end and I’d cry till there was a flood but every time there was someone to give me a helping hand. The tight hugs were sad too, emotional goodbyes. So so so many goodbyes, goodbyes I never thought of and I never wanted to happen.

Then there was the new college, oh my bad, Institute. A new place, new people, a new part of life and no idea what to expect. An ideal college life image in my head, scenarios dancing around and one semester in, it all feels so good. Random events, fests and everyday a new thing to smile about. A different personality in a different world, getting to know so many others and actually having a big circle of friends that I could have only dreamt of.

I gave my all to 2022 and it didn’t hold back either. Listening to the saddest songs to dancing till my legs died to Bollywood hits. Writing pages and pages about heartbreak and even letters that gave friendship meaning. Discovering a new me in a new world and at the same time creating more memories with people who have been my friends for over 8 years. Sticking to my old personality but also trying to fit in with an updated one. Having the same insecurities, I had a few years ago but finding the confidence to own them. These 365 days were unimaginable and I keep no expectations from the next 365 because this turbulent year showed me that it’s not too bad to be surprised.