My Year 2017!!!

This one is just me, reflecting on a year that held so many transitions I still sometimes can’t believe it all happened in twelve months. 2017 was the year I became a dentist, moved cities, started a blog, got married, and stepped into a classroom full of children who taught me as much as I taught them. Here’s the honest recap, the messy bits and the joy.

A new dentist walks into the world

I started January by graduating from dental school. I remember the moment the results came out and I was frozen, actually scared I might not make it. Then I found out I had finally, finally become a dentist. I cried my happy tears. All the hard work paid off. I could finally breathe.

The move back home

After living in Lahore for my degree, I moved back to Islamabad. I had lived independently, and coming back to my family was a big transition. I really wanted to move back, though. My time in Lahore was the best, but I wanted to leave it at that happy note before it soured. So I packed up and reconnected.

Why I chose a different path

I decided to take a year off from the typical dentistry path and join my mom’s school as a preschool teacher. I loved each child so much and put my heart and soul into the job. “Just being able to do things I want to do gave me so much headspace to figure out things and learn new skills.” It was one of the best decisions I made for myself. Kids have so much love and insight to share if you just slow down enough to see it.

A wedding and a new beginning

My shaadi was scheduled for earlier than I expected, and I had not done a single thing. I left everything and for one and a half months, all I did was shoddy. I got married, traveled with my husband for the first time to places like Murree and Nathiagali, and slowly figured out how this new chapter works. Marriage taught me so much about relationships and patience, not because it was easy but because I showed up every day.

Building a creative life

This year I launched my blog and YouTube channel properly. I learned video editing, Adobe Lightroom, InDesign, got in touch with my techie side, and even set up my own little office. I worked with brands like Unilever, P&G, and L’Oréal. Universities invited me to give talks. For the first time, I owned my blog not just online but in a physical space where my stuff is all together.

The truth behind the highlights

None of this was easy. I woke up early, went to sleep late, and was busy the whole day. There were challenges, there were problems, and they still exist. But life goes on and you gotta keep going. 2017 was not about things falling into place. It was about working hard and leaving room for happy tears. If you are in a year of big transitions, I hope this reminds you that you do not have to have it all figured out. Just keep going.