How You Changed In The Last Year, By Zodiac Sign
New year, new you.
Pexels Once a new year comes around, we start thinking about the past and start focusing more on the future.
I don't know about you, but I am VERY happy that 2018 is finally over.
I think we all deserve a pat on the back for getting through that mess of a year. I mean, let's be honest.
There was a LOT of crap we all dealt with, and not just things we all collectively dealt with as a country or humans in general.
RELATED: These 7 Stubborn Zodiac Signs Hate Change
It sounds cheesy and cliché, but I think we deserve to leave 2018 in the past and look to the future. A new year deserves new goals and opportunities, and I for one am going to take that to heart. One thing you might have noticed going into a new year is how much you've changed.
In astrology, every zodiac sign is here to realize their purpose that's expressed and found in the traits of a rising sign. Some people approach change from a non-astrology standpoint, and others take their zodiac sign traits to heart.
If you're the type to make New Year's resolutions, you might be thinking about how you can improve, and if you're not, you might just be thinking about how you can make the most out of this new year.
But no matter how you're planning for 2019, we can probably all agree that it's time to make some serious changes. 2018 was a year of introspection for all of us. You might have done a lot of soul-searching, inner growth, or just deep thinking, but now you know what you want out of life, love, or your career – and what you don't.
Change can come in all kinds of forms, astrological transits, planetary horoscope influences, politics, religion, love and more. So if it doesn't feel obvious to you, it doesn't mean you haven't changed.
Maybe you're just able to say "no" a little more easily or you have a little more self-confidence. No one else has to see how you've changed – and your change doesn't have to even be physical – for it to count. What makes a change important is where you go from here.
Will 2019 be a year you start using this change to make better decisions for your career or your love life? Or will you revert back to how things were in 2018?
Now that you know you can make a change, it's up to you to take the next step. You're certainly not the same exact person you were this time last year, and that fact alone is worth congratulating yourself for, especially because it means you've grown in a way.
You might know what you want from your current relationship now, or you might feel like you need more quality time with yourself, but whatever you're thinking about, start making some goals for the new year.
They don't have to be resolutions, but it might help to write things down or plan things out, so you know what you want to focus on in 2019. And if you stick with your goals, you may just be a totally changed person this time next year.
Keep reading to find out where you have changed the most in 2018, according to astrology.
ARIES (March 21 - April 19)
2018 was a year of huge personal growth for you, Aries. Before this year, one of your resolutions may have been to be a better friend, dive into bigger projects at work, or work on your relationship. While all of these things are still important, you've taken the time to shift the focus to what you needed this past year.
You changed most within yourself. There might have been some discomfort, and you may have had to make some hard decisions, but ultimately, you ended the year feeling more confident and happier with yourself.
Growing pains are hard, but they always lead to a better mindset. Now that you have found your inner strength, you can use it to enhance your relationships, career, and personal life.
RELATED: How Each Zodiac Sign's Behavior Changes, According To Astrology
TAURUS (April 20 - May 20)
The biggest change that came with 2018 was with your relationships. Friendships, romances, business partners – they were all affected this past year. 2018 was a time when you felt a change stirring within you.
Before, you might have taken a. more traditional – and therefore stubborn – approach to your relationships. Now, you feel like you've really grown in your romantic, professional, and platonic connections. You may have felt like you were able to learn more from the people in your life or simply strengthened your relationships.
Collaborations, partnerships, and teaming up with people were huge this past year. In learning more about others, you were able to learn more about yourself and what you need out of life. Continue to ride this wave in the new year.
GEMINI (May 21 - June 20)
2018 was all about enjoying yourself more, Gemini. It can be so easy to get caught up in the never-ending routine of daily life that excitement and new experiences never come around.
You made sure that there was always that balance between work and play, and for that, your life was that much more enjoyable. Exercise and eating right was easier, making time for friends was stress-free, and your work improved.
Don't just let yourself get caught up in the present, though. 2018 was your year to find the pleasure in life, to really enjoy yourself. But for the new year, it's important to use that sunny frame of mind to work on making much-needed changes and improvements in your life.
What feels right to you? A promotion at work, a new relationship, cutting out toxic people – the world is your oyster.
CANCER (June 21 - July 22)
The biggest change for you this past year, Cancer, had to do with how you viewed fulfillment. Rather than feel like you had to stay in one place or be one kind of person, you brought fullness to your life and your heart. Relationships improved, enjoyment sky-rocketed, and doors and windows to new opportunities opened all over the place.
Your biggest change also included trusting yourself more. You still value other people's opinions, but because you know how to find fulfillment in your life more easily, you feel like you can really trust yourself and depend on yourself more.
This new year will be one of rediscovering what your needs and wants are, and learning how to vocalize what is most important to you.
LEO (July 23 - August 22)
Your biggest growth came from implementing better structure into your life this year, Leo. There's a huge difference between working harder and working smarter, and this year was all about the latter.
Maybe it was a change in planetary movement or wanting to try something different, but you were all about schedules, streamlining, and efficiency this past year – and it really paid off.
New regimens, better productivity, and more structure were all very important in 2018. You had a chance to really live up to the old saying "new year, new me" and you ran with it.
You should be hugely proud of yourself for the lengths you've come in such a short time. Now that the new year is upon us, it's important to ride this wave for as long as it will take you. If you have the stamina to keep this going, do it.
VIRGO (August 23 - September 22)
Hear that? That's your stomach hungering for something new. 2018 was a year of feeding that hunger, a hunger to learn new things and share your ideas with others.
Looking back, you might feel like you overloaded your plate with a lot of responsibilities, but at the same time, you feel like you were really able to handle everything you put your mind to.
Give yourself a pat on the back because it can be hard and overwhelming to keep up with everything you set out for yourself. Fortunately for you, you're all about setting those long-term goals, which means you give yourself plenty of time to strategize and complete them.
This past year was all about figuring out what you wanted and sowing the seeds for success. This theme will follow you in the new year, so keep doing you.
LIBRA (September 23 - October 22)
2018 was a year about building security and comfort for yourself. Surrounding yourself with things of value – like good relationships, investments, and new ideas or mindsets – were prominent this past year.
Working on your self-image, increasing your income, and even getting your sh*t together were all important factors in your life at this time. Change was imminent – as it is for every year – but you took everything in stride.
It's important to remember that change brings good at bad, challenges and opportunity, so learning how to lean into the change was what helped you stay on your feet.
One of the biggest areas of growth for you was accepting more responsibility in your life and being a better decision maker. Way to go, you!
SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21)
Notice how you were able to vocalize your needs a little bit better than usual this year, Scorpio? Yeah, that was a coincidence. 2018 was your time to shine, and shine you did.
Oftentimes, it's easy for you to self-censor or come off a little too rough around the edges, but communication was the big change for you. You had more confidence, you were warmer and more authoritative, and you demanded more respect.
Because of this new-found confidence, you were able to inject much more of your personality into your work and your relationships. It's important to find your place in things that matter to you, and rather than being a third-party observer, you showed people that you were there to make an impact.
This was definitely a "me" kind of year for you, so embrace feeling on top of the world.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 21)
You feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders this past year, Sagittarius, and for that, you've changed tremendously. Less stress, less overthinking things, and more enjoyment has made you a more introspective, spontaneous person.
Having a clear mind has helped you focus on things that really matter to you, instead of getting caught up in everything you think and feel. 2018 was a year for you to fully understand your needs, as well as to find strength and balance within yourself.
Your life is what changed most this year. You were able to put aside things that don't matter in favor of exploring what makes you happy and how to improve as a person. Because of that, you feel much more confident and sure of yourself.
CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 19)
You've changed most in where your priorities lie, Capricorn. 2018 was a year of redefining what to focus your efforts on, which turned out to be your future. You're no stranger to making longer-term goals than other zodiac signs, and you're willing to put in the work now for the reward later. Preparing for your future has made you more mature and patient this past year.
You may have also found yourself looking to collaborations more this year, rather than doing everything on your own. Asking for help can be hard, but knowing that you have people supporting you makes all the difference. The amount of responsibilities you had on your plate this last year is just the start of it. The new year is going to bring new challenges and new opportunities, so keep your eye on your goals.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18)
This year was an exhausting one for you, Aquarius. A lot of energy and motivation but a hesitation on where to go or what to do. Your biggest change this year was trying to find yourself.
There was a lot of self-examination going on, including asking yourself questions about what you want in life and if you're even on the right path. It's okay that you felt lost, especially now that you're a little more sure of where to go from here.
Frustration, impatience, and restlessness were all prominent emotions for you in 2018. But even though it was pretty uncomfortable at first, you're definitely a lot closer to taking the next step.
You both put yourself out there into the world and did a lot of soul-searching this past year. It may not feel like you've made huge strides, but trust me – even the smallest actions make all the difference. The new year is going to be a defining one for you.
PISCES (February 19 - March 20)
That extra bit of support you felt this past year in everything you accomplished had everything to do with the Universe being on your side, Pisces. Rather than sweating the small stuff, you really felt like you were able to take everything in stride, and ultimately, do some serious good for your career, studies, relationships, and self.
There was also a lot of stretching, changing, and growing in 2018. You may have met new people or left old ones behind, felt an itch to learn something new or mentor a colleague, or even discovered a new passion project.
Happiness was key this year, and while you still have a long way to go, knowing which direction you need to take will help you manifest your dreams in the new year.
Emily Ratay is a full-time writer living in Pittsburgh. She's passionate about the environment and feminism, and knows that anything is possible in the right pair of shoes. She plans on writing a non-fiction book in the future.