Saying goodbye to 2021

I can only say for myself how I began the year. In one word, I felt empty. I could guess about yours too, and be correct or not. But one thing is certain, and it is what everyone has been saying, “2021 was filled a lot of difficulties but above it all, it’s my best year yet, and I’m grateful for it.

I’m sure we’ve been seeing stuff along that line. It swells my heart with happiness when I read words like that; people ending the year on a grateful note. People being intentional about ending it on a grateful note. Yesterday, I took time to write about the year, more like I was actually writing about 2020, I guess I had a lot of unsettled scores with that year, so yes, I took time writing about how moving from 2020 to 2021 was. You don’t want to read it, trust me(inserts laughing emoji.)

…but this isn’t about me. It’s about you. There’s you who started this year and wrote down your goals, and slowly, step by step, you accomplished them all. You ticked all of them off your list. I don’t say it every time, but I’m proud of you, of your resilience, of your strong will. I’m proud of the fact that you stood, countless times, even after falling. I know you put so much time, energy, effort, and all other things to accomplish your goals and I know you are happy that you are. Please be. You did the work. You paid your dues, and you deserve to be the happiest person. You should give yourself enough credit.

There is also you that as the year is ending, a lot of emotions are running through your mind. You are glad you are still standing. You are grateful, but a part of you can’t help but think that you didn’t do enough, that you could have done better. A part of you wants to sit down to write the year’s achievement like everyone is doing. A part of you is saying that once again, you’ve done nothing for the whole of 365 days. A part of you is telling you that you achieved little things only.

I could come on here and tell you that all your feelings are valid and say you aren’t the only one who feels that way, and that it is okay. I could say all these, and you still might feel bad. This is me trying to make you feel better still because it wouldn’t be nice to enter into the new year sad. It sucks.

You are where you need to be right now. You are in no competition with anyone…maybe you feel you didn’t achieve anything or you achieved little, sit, and think well. You’ll realize you achieved a lot too…maybe you didn’t achieve what you wished to, but you achieved too. You are not useless, you have the capacity to do, to do more, and you can.

I’ll leave you with this: In the early days of the new year, you should do some thinking, strategy, and planning. Think about things you did and didn’t do in 2021. Think of how they affected you. Set realistic goals. Revisit the goals you penned down years ago, that you didn’t achieve them. Go back to them now. You may be in a better position to achieve them. Seek help. Talk to people. Build relationships. Network. Expand your circle, if you have to. Take risks. Take that course. Attend that seminar. Pitch your business. Send that mail. Go for that hang-out. Fight imposter syndrome with all your strength. Live, love, heal, and learn.

In 2022, do all you can to be better; better than how you were in 2020, even better than how you were in 2021. Do not resist growth. Try not to resist growth.

As we say goodbye to 2021, I want you to leave with no regrets. I want you to leave the year with your bag of lessons, happy that you have them. As we say goodbye, I want you to leave with your heart filled, with joy and positivity for the new year ahead. As we say goodbye, I want you to know that you tried, you really tried, you did all you were capable of. As we say goodbye, I want you to enter into the year with good energy.

Penned from the deepest corner of my heart.

P: C– @aestheticsflatlay