Birthday Blessings, Lessons and Reflections

I was feeling particularly reflective as my birthday approached this year, a stark comparison to last year’s debauchery when I danced barefoot in an uptown fete at Crop Over. At the time everything felt ‘perfect’ and I couldn’t imagine myself being any happier, but boy was I wrong!

365 days later, after a whirlwind of major changes, copious amounts of tears and endless revelations, I’m now truly happier than I have ever been. Not only have I managed to achieve the things that I previously dreamed of, but I’ve also managed to cultivate a certain level of inner peace and balance that previously didn’t exist.

Aside from life events, there were a few books that contributed to this heightened sense of self-awareness that I highly recommend. In the meantime, here are my blessings, lessons and reflections over the past year:

Blessings

• I’m now paid to do something that I love and once wished for.
• I’ve met some incredible people, had amazing experiences and have been blessed with endless inspiration in life.
• My natural hair is flourishing and my edges are intact #BlackGirlMagic.

Lessons

• It’s perfectly okay to seek help — in fact, always ask for help if you need it. There’s no prize for suffering in silence, trust me.
• Life gets better. Always. No exceptions.
• There are some mind-blowingly amazing people out there…

Reflections

• I’ve managed to learn the art of ‘letting go’ and finding inner peace. The things that once bothered me and filled me with anxiety are now a non-factor; time is truly the greatest healer.
• Destination disease is real! As soon as you let go of the idea that your happiness is tied to a specific goal/marker, things become easier.
• It’s always worth taking a (calculated) risk.

My final takeaway is that internal reflection is a useful tool in growing and developing as a person. My preferred method of choice is journalling, which may not work for everyone, but it allows me to see what my goals and intentions once were, how I have achieved them, and where I still have room to grow.

I also don’t believe in waiting for the calendar year to reflect on these changes: birthdays, academic or financial years, can be the perfect opportunity to turn over a new leaf. Stop waiting for tomorrow.