Dear 2021,

Well, we made it to the end of 2021. Happy New Year's everyone. Just accumulated a few bumps and bruises from the past 12 months, but hey I made it. At the end of the year, I reflect on my thought process, my goal and dreams, and where and how I had envisioned myself to be on December 31st. I usually think back and say, “huh, can’t believe that is where I was in my life” or “dang, I didn’t make that happen this year.” I used to kick myself for those untouched goals and undreamt dreams. But I have learned throughout the years if those goals and dreams have not been touched, honestly, they weren’t as important as I thought when I first made them in the beginning of the year. The plans that I make for myself the first week of January sometimes get blurred as the year starts rolling. It’s called life. We all get distracted and we at times forget what we planned for ourselves, or at least for me.

Though, what does help remind me of what I planned, is a vision board. A vision board does help, but there are always certain things I keep priority over the others. This year I kept self-care and travel priority. Honestly, God knew that is what I needed to keep priority after the bumps, turns, and walls I’ve run into this year. This year I can reflect on the self- accomplishments of continually pushing forward even after a loss. To continue to get myself up and moving even after waking up and feeling absolutely defeated. To really step out and not worry about what others may think and going on those trips I went on this year. Getting my feet wet and traveling just to travel. To venture out and spend time in areas where I can just… discover.

I do remember that in the beginning of 2021, I wanted to try something a little bit different. My main thing was to find balance. Balance between work, school, and just self-care. I had to discover how to find that balance and discover what self-care was for me. This year, I went to three different states, had a few weekend getaways in between, and a few spontaneous adventures. I’ve been to a few places where I’d be anxious to go to, and even went out and ate by myself. I focused on the little things and how to pace myself. With that, that is what I needed to get me through those hard days. My bank account may have not accumulated the amount that I want it to or lost the pounds that I planned to lose, but I had discovered that I took care of myself, more than always just “hustling” and looking at the numbers in the bank or the numbers on the scale.

So, on December 31, 2021, I look back on this year and say man this was a hard, hard year. Certain hills were high, but there were also the valleys of disappointments and grief. I look back and just remind myself, continue to keep self-care a priority. Do not let the

comparison of what everyone else is doing compromise my own mental health. I have discovered that marching to the beat of my own drum is working out for me. Life happens and this year, I have discovered to step back and realize that to get through the hard parts in life you need to discover your own way to cope, your own way to overcome, and your own way to just take a deep breath to take the next step. So, friends, I do not know how your 2021 went but here’s to the hills and the valleys of life, here’s to the accomplished goals and the unaccomplished ones, and here’s to the discoveries you encountered for yourself.

Happy New Year,

Thania