2018 Year of the Dog: A Reflection on the Last 12 Years in the Year of My Zodiac Symbol by Kimberly Johnson

According to Chinese astrology, during the year of your zodiac symbol – every 12 years – you're most at risk at offending Tai Sui (the God of Age) and being faced with bad luck. Thank goodness I am not too superstitious, otherwise I might be worried as we enter the Year of the Dog (my Chinese zodiac sign) this Lunar New Year.

Instead of worrying about luck one way or the other, I have decided to reflect back on the last 12 years to see how far I have come. To be entirely honest, the last 12 years have encompassed some of the best, albeit busiest, times of my life.

I got married, quit my corporate job, had two beautiful babies, started my own businesses, made lifelong friends, welcomed two nephews into the world (with a third soon to join me in the Year of the Dog ranks), moved into our forever home, added two fur babies to our family, began writing for 30Seconds and so much more. Back in 2006, at 24 years old, the last thing I wanted to do was face adulthood head on. Admittedly, it's been a pretty amazing 12 years, and I'm looking forward to what the Year of the Dog has to offer.

That being said, I think I will be on my best behavior this year just in case!