The year 2016 is fast approaching its glorious end. It’s been a wild year, but not a bad one, mostly, for me. I’m not sure the world is better off than it was at the beginning of the year (then again, we’re getting rid of Obama, so…), so here’s to 2017 being a little more, um, sane? And here’s a list of things I’ve learn to greater appreciate this year.
1. My left big toenail
Of all of the body parts to cause me massive amounts of problems this last year, my left big toe has probably been the most consistently annoying. It’s been a problem for the last couple years, but the last couple of months have made me wish the little bugger would just fall off and stop hurting me.
But see, I’ve also come to realize that there’s a reason that we have toenails. Mine was only just starting to come back before my doctor unceremoniously cut it back off again a few days ago. So that means I have lived a few months with no big toenail. And let me tell you, it sucks. When people step on your toes or you stub a toe, yeah it hurts, but it hurts a whole lot more when there’s no nail to protect it.
So now, I still want the darn thing to come back and not look really stupid (fat chance). I value it more, but I also resent it more.
2. Non-insane politics
It’s not just me, right? This last year was crazier than usual? I mean, I know that I’m only 20, so I don’t remember most election years. Maybe they’re all like this. Who knows, maybe it’s always been this way, but I became politically conscious around 2008, and I don’t remember this much insanity then.
This past election was like a reality TV show, which I realize probably had something to do with the candidates. This was the year the media really showed who they really were, and a good portion of America collectively said “Screw you, we’ll take the psycho you don’t like.” I have to wonder how many people voted Trump out of spite alone.
Dear God, please don’t let this happen again next election cycle.
3. Positive people
In a year that was full of negativity, it was a blessing to find people who were trying to stay positive. I clung to people who could see everything that was going on this last year and still smile about it. Those who could still laugh at all this made this year a little more bearable.
Speaking of laughing…
4. SJWs
I know what you’re thinking, how could you learn to value social justice warriors? The answer is easy: they’re flipping hilarious.
I mean, have you seen the way they reacted when Trump won? The looting and burning wasn’t so funny, but the TEARS and the WHINING, bloody hilarious. I learned a new word in 2016: Shadenfreude.This was year they all collectively lost their minds, and It. Was. Glorious.
10/10 would tick them off again.
5. Books
I miss books. Being in college, for me, usually means not reading a whole lot. I’m the kind of person who can’t just sit down and read a few pages of a good book. It’s finish or bust, and finish sometimes means staying up till 3 in the morning. I can’t really do that when I have an 8:15 am class the next day. Sleep is a good thing. Which reminds me:
6. Sleep
I’m a college student. Do I need to say more?
7. Classes that start after 9 am
My class schedule sucks donkey balls next semester. I have 8:15 classes EVERY DAY, and I am not a morning person. I’m hardly human before 10 am. I’ll also be spending more money on gas, because I’ll be damned if I’m going to wake up at 6 am to catch the hour-long, bumpy shuttle to Liberty’s campus. I like living off-campus, but not being able to walk to class in the morning is a bit of a pain.
The only good news is that I’ll be done by 2pm every day. I am seeing a lot of naps in my future.
What have you learn to value more in 2016? Let me know in the comments.
Susannah Contra Mundum 
I’ve finally starting reading again now that I’m back for winter break, and it’s been such a nice feeling. I almost forgot what it’s like to read a book so good that you forget you’re even reading one.
Regarding SJWs: as someone who leans left on pretty much every major issue, it’s embarrassing to hear stories of ivy league college kids crying over the election results and the school bringing in therapy dogs to comfort them and all that whiny nonsense. However, I also think that they’re not quite as big a problem as some people make them out to be, and more importantly, that the Right is just as bad in this regard.
A lot of the same people who laugh at how easily offended liberals are, are the same people who refuse to watch a football game because one of the players won’t stand for the national anthem. Or they’ll boycott Starbucks because of their cup design. Or they’ll claim there’s a War on Christmas because liberals are starting to say, “Happy Holidays.” The difference as I see it, is that SJWs are mostly young college kids who will eventually toughen up and grow out of it, whereas the people calling for Kaepernick’s death are old enough to know better.
That being said, I don’t think either of them are in any way indicative of the majority of democrats or republicans, and it always bugs me when liberals cherry-pick the worst of the conservatives and make them out to all be that way, or vice versa. Not saying that’s what you’re doing or anything, but still.
(Sorry about the long comment. I was procrastinating on something else.)
Yeah, SJWs come in annoying lefty and righty varieties. They are equally hilarious. I do sure hope they grow out of it.
Great post! I’m right with you in needing more positivity, more books, and definitely more sleep. 🙂 Hope you have a great year!
I hope you do too! May we live in UNinteresting times, eh?