It's been a year since I made the decision and book my flight to backpack in New Zealand. I just read through this entire blog and realized how much I miss the adventures leading up to that, and owe it to myself for keeping this platform alive.

Why do people lose sight of their life? I just read this post about how 'everybody wants what feels good. Everyone wants to live a carefree, happy and easy life, to fall in love...' etc. and I think that recently I took all these things for granted. Over the past year I lost touch with people, family, friends, and maybe that's a part of life.

But I was so blind to it happening.

On the flip side, I have changed tremendously since I made that decision to book my flight last New Year's Day. I have thrown out 3/4 of my closet, hiked in almost every national park in Washington, made my first big purchase and got a new car, and have completely re-analyzed how I can picture spending the next five years of my life. I don't have all the details planned out, but I have faith that whether i'm spending it jumping from country to country or building the happiest family imaginable I will choose.to be happy. Not only that, but will accept that happiness requires struggle. The positive is the side effect of handling the negative.

@hellofrankenbery on instagram

I dare you to go through your photos and find the ones that you remember being the happiest in. Or maybe you don't take photos. Reflect. (Prime example of why I do take photos... my memory doesn't know how to reflect. *sad face*) My instagram best nine of 2015 probably collaged it pretty well, but social media is a front, as much as I don't want to accept that. It's what you want people to see about your life, all in a little 3x3 square. Here are the ones that might surprise you–or maybe not, depending on how well you know me.