2023 really is here already! 🥂✨

I remember entering 2022 with one prayer point that stood out amongst others - ease.

2021 had drained me emotionally,

financially, mentally, and physically and I just wanted the new year to be better. 

Disclaimer before I go on: this is not completely a review but it's kind of one, and this is coming today and not yesterday because I was too busy yesterday, trying to process the fact that it was just hours to the new year. I didn't know how to feel, or what to think. Thankfully, I held a class with my writing community on how to properly plan for the new year, and that's how I was able to write a few goals here and there.

I'm wondering what would have happened otherwise because I think everyone was so excited for the new year, and I didn't know how to feel, because I was legit scared. But I preach "don't be scared of change so much that you don't let it happen" so I'm trying to hold on to that. And I'm writing this to process my thoughts better. So let's go back, and start again, shall we?

Yesterday, I wrote a review of my 2022 on my Instagram page where I shared a short video, which mind you, I have watched a thousand times because it was simply unbelievable. Writing the caption was one of the hardest things I've had to do, and I don't even know why. I almost didn't put that video out but I'm glad I did it, at least I acted on my preaching, "do it afraid" this time. 

Now that I write, I think one of my fears regarding putting that video out was expectations. Let me explain. For the longest, I was a big pessimist. I talked about this here and because of that, I don't like to have so many expectations, or for people to have them for me. I was scared that what if I dropped the video, and then this year everything didn't go as planned, especially seeing that I haven't started taking steps towards my plans for this year. Omo, I'm glad I did it though. It's given me hope for 2023.

Now, let's go back to the topic before I divert again. I don't want this to be long so I guess I'll just talk about my 2022, what I did and didn't do and anything else I remember.

This time last year, I was still in the bad place 2021 brought me to. In a way, January was 2021 combined and I hadn't seen anything crazier. I wondered why since I'd pretty much cried my eyes to God during the crossover. But I was hoping and waiting for change. I didn't take charge though, I was waiting. I did a gratitude challenge for the 31 days of December on my Instagram, which made me reflect a whole lot. But now, I'm grateful for the fact that I took charge. If I didn't, Grace Malik will most likely still be that babe that writes and hides all her stories and her content.

I won't even lie. Taking charge is scary. It comes with a whole lot. Responsibilities and sacrifices ear and there but it's worth it. Dear reader, don't be scared to take charge of you this year. It can change everything. 

Now, what else happened? I don't want to go into the whole story because I think as much as this is a review, it's also me trying to process 2023. 

Okay, I'm grateful for my self-improvement. My personal development. Not the one I preach and speak on every other day, but mine. My mental health was in shambles a lot of times this year. As I said, taking charge comes with a whole lot. And I'm glad that today, I'm okay, in every sense of the word. Well, I'm tired sha, even though I just woke up and I'm typing this few minutes past 11:00 am. But I'm okay mentally, and emotionally as well. Not so okay financially, but we're getting there.  

I remember when December came. It was supposed to be my favourite time of the year. When I'd splurge on meaningless things and appreciate myself for a year well done. But December 1st/2nd were the days I cried the most, probably in my life, and then August because I lost someone. But December, OMG. I've wanted to disappear a whole lot but it came hardest in December. It was so crazy, lol. And now, considering I don't have friends per se, I thank my older sister, brother and my Dad who I told later on. I spoke about the whole thing in one of my podcast episodes because I just couldn't. I just could not write, could not think. I could only talk. So I'm grateful for where I am.

Then let's talk love. In February, the funny thing, on Valentine's Day, I thought I found something that could be love later on. It turned out to be a mistake. Lmao, a big one. I was just getting on my feet with my resolutions, and finding that, I thought God was answering 2 prayers at the same time, not that I prayed for love sha, lmao. But then, I'm glad I had the guts to not settle. I left and I'm glad I did. 

This year, it'll be nice to do a me and mines thing, have my own person, def not just for the me and mines, yeah, but I'm still not sure it's one of my top top priorities. It'll be nice though, and who knows? Fingers crossed.

Spiritually, I cried to God almost every day. But writing this, I guess I didn't thank God enough. Yes, I paid my tithe, but I feel like I didn't appreciate God enough. That's one thing I really want to do this year.

What else is there? Okay, I started going out, lol. My first outing was the profitable writers' conference I went to in May. Lmao, I was scared shitless, but I went, and I'm so glad. I also went for a hangout, The Healing Party. 

In December, I treated myself out as well, and I'm hoping I go out more this year. I'm hoping I take millions of pictures. 

One thing I didn't do which I'm hoping I do more, is journal. A lot of significant things happened last year and I wasn't able to journal. I hope I do that a lot this year. I hope that in other aspects of myself, I put myself out more. I really hope so.

I worked so hard last year. I'm looking forward to working a lot more this year and seeing my efforts pay off. God help me. 

I really don't want to make this long, so I guess that's that for 2022. More will be found on my Instagram page. 

But to 2022, thank you. Thank you for being that year that pushed me to do more, for being that year that helped me do more. Thank you so much for being my year. 

To 2023, I don't have words yet. But I pray, so hard, that all my aspirations and dreams and goals come to pass. I've been too scared to do a vision board or something, but then I have a lot of goals, big goals that only God can help me achieve. 

All through last year, I didn't take a break. And no matter what, I'm taking it today. I'll def still be on the online space, but I'm taking the break I deserve, to be back this time next week by God's grace. And then, I launch my writing community officially this month. I am excited about this and I hope everything goes well. 

I'm grateful for you too, and I look forward to us having a great relationship this year. I pray you keep on reading and liking my work, and any day you stop, I pray God blesses you na o. 

Repeat after me: 2023 is my money year. 

Yes, bye loves.

I hope to be more consistent with blogging this year, I miss it. So I really hope so. But bye for now. 

Here's to a super duper amazing 2023!🥂