2021 taught me …
to take care of myself and to be unapologetic about it.
I did various gratifying things for myself in 2021 that I had put off for so long because I was trying to do so much for everyone else. You get one life to live, so do what makes your soul happy. I started doing just that!
to speak up when something bothers me. I had a very necessary conversation with my mom towards the end of the year and I think it went really well. I believe we both gained some understanding of each other’s point of view.
it’s okay to be your toughest critic, but it’s also okay to give yourself grace. Maybe I didn’t meet all of the goals I set, but that’s okay, it’s not the end of the world and I’m living another day to get more opportunities to achieve those goals. Plus, there are other accomplishments that did occur that I can be proud of as well. It’s literally me vs ME! I’m competing with myself.
to not expect for all the people closest to me to support my passion / dream, but to support their things anyway if it’s from a place of sincerity and not the expectation of reciprocity.
People will repost all the random quotes and memes from strangers all day long, but never think once about sharing the things you put out. I learned that some people will only support you when there’s clout involved or when their support of your thing benefits them. But do the thing anyway - that’s why I’m still here, writing my blog! :)
that it’s ok to go out of my way to protect my energy and my peace. I personally do not think it toxic to be selfish with your time and your peace. That’s self-care in and of itself.
that people are really out here preying on my downfall.
But also that I’m not perfect, I’m a real human with real emotions, so sometimes I want the smoke and I’m living the consequences of that. However, I also learned how to wipe my hands of certain situations and redevelop a “screw it” mindset - if it does not directly affect me or my son, it’s none of my concern anymore like Jhené said.
that people think I’m judgmental; but because these claims were made without calling out any specific offenses, and essentially robbing me of opportunities to grow, I will offer my opinion much less. “Do you friend!” is my motto for 2022.
even at my lowest, I am extremely blessed - physically, financially, mentally, in my marriage, etc. People are praying for the things I have while I am constantly in a season of wanting, working, & praying for more. It’s okay to be content and ambitious, but not complacent and overzealous.
God is in control; no matter what you do, when it’s your time, it’s your time.
Despite being vaccinated only a couple of months prior, traveling to various places for the last 2 years of the pandemic (including out of the country), taking sanitary precautions (but not being OCD about it), taking vitamins, etc. - if COVID is going to pay you a visit, that’s just what’s going to happen. We are not invincible. You can do everything in your power to prevent all sorts of illnesses, but when it hits you anyway, that’s just fate. On the same token, life is precious; people can be here one day and gone the next. I feel like so many lives were lost this year; I lost 2 uncles and so many other loved ones. God is still in control.
