Back and Not Leaving...

Is it still safe to say “Happy New Year?”

At the start of the week, I made a mental note to write to you, and even though adulthood and capitalism kicked me repeatedly, here I am. Writing to you. 

Finally!

Did you enter 2024 refreshed? With vim and energy to take on your goals and the beautiful things you want to do.

Instead of boring you with the ups and downs of 2023 (they’d come in later), let me run you through a little bit of life updates.

1. Got into a new relationship. I wasn’t expecting this to happen, but it did, and oh boy, the joy this decision brought me.

   

   This boy serious oh (*in Jenifa's voice*)

   One of my friends recently told me, “Rachael, love looks good on you,” and those words made me cry. I have a terrible habit of holding it all together when things aren’t going well in my life. I put up a front and laughed without worries, but ever since this Yoruba man entered my life and space, I understood what it meant to have a partner. I didn’t have to bear the weight of being in a relationship as I’ve always done, and for me, that is a blessing.

2. I joined a service unit in church (Teenagers department).  I don’t know how to sit still in a place and not do anything. 

   

   Praiseeeeeee tha Looorrrdddddd…

Even though this took me forever, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made recently.

3. Got a promotion at work. Honestly, I have to start giving myself more credit. Ten months into my role, this promotion came in, and I’m so proud of how far I’ve come. See, there will be days when you won’t feel like it, when it seems you do not deserve the blessings coming your way because you haven’t done enough. Those feelings are a lie. There were days when anxiety had me in a chokehold, and it felt like I was failing. Thank God for reminders through my friends and His word.

4. I started reading again.

   

   This book is chaotic and hilarious

   If I can scroll through social media for hours, I can channel that energy into reading as well. Sometimes, I wonder how I fell off track. Anyway, the good news is that I found my way back.

5. Signed up for DTY: I ended 2023 & started the new year exhausted. Mentally, physically, spiritually, and all the ‘llys’ you can think of. I’m not a fan of writing yearly resolutions, so I didn’t bother, but one major thing I did was engage God in what He would have me do. As weird as it may seem, I don’t have a significant goal for the year right now, but I know if it should pop up in a month or 2, I’ll pursue it with everything I’ve got.

   

   DTY 2024

    I decided to sign up for Defining The Year, organized by Mary Oyewunmi, and it has been one of the best decisions I made in January. 

6. Spent time with friends. I love my friends. There's no doubt about that.

   

   

   

   

   Spending time with them gave me so much joy; I draw strength from them. 

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I’m excited I did this. I could have given a thousand excuses not to have written this, and while some excuses may be valid, I’m glad I did this. 

And I want you to do it too. 

Is there anything on your to-do list that seems impossible? Do it anyway. Take it apart, piece by piece, till there’s nothing left. 

I’d like to know what you’ve been up to, so do well to write back.

I’m rooting for you.