Tag: new year

Happy New Year

Hello, my lovelies šŸ’“

Happy New Year!!!

A new year can feel like just a different day, no big deal, kind of like becoming a year older. In a sense it is. It can feel like “nothing has changed” and “what’s all the fuss about” but I think it’s a fresh opportunity to be grateful, to reflect and to look forward.

If you’re very honest and fairly reflective, you’ll know that there were things you wanted to do last year that just never happened. This is a good time to think back on those things,  see whether they’re still important and whether they’re a priority for you this year.

For me, last year I wanted to be more consistent in uploading posts here and by the grace of God, I did it. So I’m grateful. Although I did it, it wasn’t as graceful and organised as I would have liked. Sometimes I made it by the skin of my teeth. This year I want to be more organised. I don’t want to settle for the bare minimum. I want to up my game. For example, I want to ideally post a few fictional pieces, so you guys can hold me accountable. The year is 12 months long oh. LOL.

For some of us, it’s easy to think of good things that have happened. For others,  it’s a lot harder to think of good things. It might be that you’ve started your year on a downer and it’s a huge effort to keep going every day. I know how that feels. While our specific situations might differ, the sentiment is likely similar. Please believe me when I say it does get better. Don’t let the little flicker of hope die. Protect it with everything. Draw on the strength of the people you have around you. I pray you don’t have to go on the journey alone. I pray you have a shoulder to lean on, someone you can be vulnerable with. Let someone see that you’re hurting, confused, angry  whatever it is. Journaling can also be helpful. Pour out what’s in your heart and mind. Better out than in.

One month has already gone by. You’ve made it through one month! Well done you šŸ‘šŸ½ As I told someone today it can be hard to hope for the big things. Start with the small simple things, e.g, I hope I can laugh at something funny tomorrow, I hope I can have a few minutes of respite from worrying.

For those of us who have not hit the ground running, it’s not too late to start.

Be realistic with your goals.

Rome was not built in a day.

Remember that progress is not linear.

You have absolutely got this! Just like I have šŸ˜‰

I want to give us a challenge this year. Every night before you sleep (or whenever fits your schedule), say at least one thing that you’re grateful for out loud. Try to vary the things you express gratitude for. This is not to say you canā€™t say the same thing twice this year lol or even in one week. My emphasis is on thinking about it instead of mindlessly repeating the same thing.

Sweet Lord Jesus, thank you for this new year. Thank you for bringing me to the end of the first month of this year. There have been highs and lows but you’ve seen me through it all. It’s so beautiful that you see all of us, in our individual circumstances and you’re able to meet us where we are. The years change but you never do. You’re our constant in a world of change. Lord as we continue this year, help us to lean on You and those you’ve placed around us. Help us to remember that difficult times don’t last forever. Help us remember to celebrate even the small wins. I pray that you help us to be more disciplined with our goals and balance that with extending grace to ourselves and others. Let’s have a blast this year! In Jesus name, amen

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Goodbye, Welcome

Hello my lovelies

Happy New Year in advance!

Today’s post is probably my shortest one ever!

As the year has drawn to an end, conversations and time spent with loved ones has been very important. As I reflect on people I’ve seen and spoken with, I am filled with a renewed sense of gratitude for the amazing people God has blessed me with.

For me, this year is ending on a high, very different from how last year ended. I am very grateful for that. I was saying to my best friend just a few days ago that this year had been full of positive surprises. These blessings have caused me to dig deep and stretch myself and the benefits have been rewarding.

There are three things I want to leave with you

1) Reflect on your 2025 – name one thing you’ve learned, one thing that surprised you and one thing you’re looking forward to next year

2) Count your blessings (name them one by one) – try to do 12; don’t neglect the seemingly small things we take for granted

3) Review your disappointments. Are there things you can learn from them? Would you do anything differently as a result of the experience(s)? Can you see God’s presence/hand in the midst of the disappointment?

Lord, here we are at the end of 2025! What a year it has been. For some of us it had been our toughest year with no opportunity to catch a break and yet for others it has been blissful. For many, it had likely been a mixture of both experiences. In the midst of it all, we give you thanks for your constant presence through the highs and the lows. Lord, I pray that the bad does not eclipse the good in our memories. Lord, we look forward to a new year, knowing you are already there ahead of us. We commit 2026 into your hands. May this new year bring more Illumination to our spirits. May we experience deeper peace, joy and contentment. May we fulfil your plan for 2026 as we walk in step with you. For the tough times that this year brings help us to keep our eyes on you and never let go of your hand. For the great times, help us to be grateful and remember we didn’t do it in our own strength. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

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Chapter X

Hello, my lovelies šŸ’“

How’s the new year going? It feels like I blinked, and January flew by. It’s been rapid.

As you gathered, I didn’t end 2024 on a high. I was conflicted on New Years Eve, and it wasn’t a nice feeling. As the days have gone by, things have gotten better.

Although I was upset with God, myself, and just lots of emotions and questions, I love the fact that I have a God who doesn’t shy away from our emotions and pain. He sits with us in our pain, and He longs to bring healing. He brings scripture, songs, and people our way to help us.

A few days ago,  I listened to a short clip which was talking about how the church and Christians deal with the issue of pain, in particular emotional pain, be it grief, loss, whatever form it takes. There appears to be a notion that we need to rush to leave that state. This is obviously a generalisation, but I think there’s some truth to it. We struggle to comfort people in pain, as though their discomfort further serves to discomfort us, so we seek to quickly see the end of it. We use some phrases (usually stock phrases) that dress it up as noble encouragement, but it leaves me wondering where the kindness and compassion are. Thankfully for me, God had in his mercy surrounded me with people who, for the most part, have been compassionate and haven’t put pressure on me to “snap out of it.” This is an aside, but I feel the need to encourage us as Christians to be more compassionate. You don’t need to have an answer for someone’s pain. Just let them know you’re thinking of them and that you care for them.

My main point today was to share something I was thinking about a few weeks ago. I was thinking about what remains constant through life’s changes and seasons. Of course, there are quite a few things, but chief of them is love, specifically the love of God. You see, all the time I was upset, one thing I never doubted was God’s love for me. I might not have felt it, emotionally, at the time, but there was an assurance that in spite of things, God loves me. I remember God saying to me that if I’m ever unsure of everything, and nothing feels real, I can always count on his love for me.

These words aren’t platitudes to make you feel better. They’re based on God’s word to us. You might not feel able to access or acknowledge love, but that doesn’t mean it’s not present.

Guys, life is hard. To deny that would be a lie. Some days, your pain or situation would cause you to question a lot of things you took for granted, but God is our present help in time of trouble. You might not feel a spooky presence with you, but you know he can be with you through the people he places around you, who hold your hand through hard times.

One of my aunties sent me some verses to encourage me (after a long period of her listening to me), and a lot of them blew my mind. This one (below), in particular, challenged me a lot. It really made me think and analyse my heart and mind posture.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to these things, so these are MY opinions, based on my experience.

In summary, I’ll leave you with these three things and end with a prayer.
1. Life gets hard sometimes, but God’s love will never let you go
2. People might try to rush you or even gaslight you, pay them no mind!
3. Take your time and while doing that, be honest with God about how you feel. Don’t say he knows. Telll him with your words; articulate how you feel
4. An extra for those at the back LOL, please let’s be kind to one another. Be compassionate.

Lord, we know that life sometimes hurts, and things don’t seem to make sense. We feel angry, lost, or disconnected from you, but it’s comforting to know that we are not alone in our feelings. David did a good job of capturing some of those emotions we feel, and yet he always came back up, somehow. This gives us hope that joy can come in the morning. We thank you for your love that can withstand any situation or power. We thank you for your love that never ends and never fails. We thank you because even when every structure crumbles around us, we can be sure that we are held by everlasting, all-powerful arms, and we can put our faith in you. Lord send us help from Zion. Place compassionate people around us and, more importantly, teach us to be the compassionate people we’d want to help us in our life’s struggles, amen.

NB – The hyperlinks (underlined words) contains the links to the full verses I’m referring to. Please click on them šŸ™

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End of a chapter

Hello guys šŸ˜Š

It’s that time of year where we’re reflecting on how the year has gone. The good, the bad and the ugly.

It’s been a hot minute since I shared something personal. This year I have experienced a lot of good things. Many prayers have been answered, many fears allayed and by the same token, many hopes realised. I have truly been loaded with many benefits.

During the latter part of this year, one of my hopes were dashed. Sigh. I’ve been shocked at how much this has cast a shadow on these blessings I’ve just been talking about. It’s almost as though the bitter taste (this has left) in my mouth has erased the memory of the sweetness I enjoyed earlier. It’s so subtle. At times, I find myself thinking this year has been rubbish or my life is just ā€¦ More recently, I’m catching these thoughts, recognising they’re not the full picture and trying to balance/counter them with the knowledge of the great benefits I’ve enjoyed this year.

It sucks to end the year with this bitter taste lingering on my tongue, in my mind. It’s hard to generate excitement for the year that’s round the corner. (I’m not a fan of suffering olympics, but) I know there are people going through worse things and I really hope they are surrounded by love and find strength to keep going.

To those of us whose 2024 has not panned out how we hoped or perhaps there’s a dream you had that hasn’t come to pass or even crashed and burnt, this post is for us.
This too shall pass.
Things aren’t always going to look bleak.
The pain abates after a while.

There are two songs I’d like to share which I think are beautiful and capture some of the sentiments I’ve shared. I’ll share the Spotify links and YouTube links.

Hold on to me – Lauren Daigle SpotifyĀ  YouTube

Your will – Lee Vasi Spotify YouTube

A third link I’ll share isn’t a song. It’s an exhortation, a fresh perspective on restoration by a lady called Ty Bello. It’s also on Spotify.

Rom 15:13 NIV

I’d like to end with a prayer.

Dear God, I thank you for all the beautiful things this year has brought (please list three things you’re grateful for). You have surprised me and filled my mouth with laughter. I’m grateful for all you’ve done for me and for being my father, my friend. You know that although I’m grateful there are things that have caused me pain this year too; things that I don’t understand; things that cause my hope and strength to fail. Lord I want to be hopeful but it’s so hard. I want to have the right perspective but pain blinds me at times. Lord you are the God of all hope. I ask that you fill me with your hope, your joy and your strength. As hard as it is, help me to trust you and trust in your goodness and faithfulness. My 2025 is in your hands, let it be the year that you have made, one I will rejoice and be glad in. In Jesus name I pray, amen šŸ™



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Thoughts on the New Year

ā€­Happy New Year fam!!! I hope you’ve had some time to rest a little over the holiday season.

At the end of 2023, I came across a scripture (Isaiahā€¬ ā€­53:1ā€¬) ā€­which stuck in my mind. It reminded me of a conversation I was having with some of my girls a few days earlier about having a word from God for ourselves.

Isaiahā€¬ ā€­53:1ā€¬ AMPC – WHO HAS believed (trusted in, relied upon, and clung to) our message [of that which was revealed to us]? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been disclosed?


Although this verse is talking about a word that has been proclaimed, it made me think, before a word can be proclaimed, it must first be received by a person.

What word has been revealed to me by God? Do I trust it? How much have I clung to it? Have I received it? Maybe we need to take a step back and ask – Do I even believe that God has a word for me?

I know some churches or ministries have words for the year. You can adopt this, but I believe you can receive a word from God that is tailored to you as well.

Colossiansā€¬ ā€­1:9ā€­-ā€¬10ā€¬ ā€­CEVā€¬ā€¬: We have not stopped praying for you since the first day we heard about you. In fact, we always pray that God will show you everything he wants you to do and that you may have all the wisdom and understanding his Spirit gives. [10] Then you will live a life that honors the Lord, and you will always please him by doing good deeds. You will come to know God even better.

I’d recommend reading up to verse 14 to be honest.

ā€­ā€­Matthewā€¬ ā€­7:21ā€¬ ā€­AMPCā€¬ā€¬: Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven.


It is very important to know what God is saying to you. How do you obey what you don’t know? What do you hold on to when times are super hard and discouraging and bleh?
A yoruba proverb says (I think šŸ¤”) – Nkan tįŗ¹yįŗ¹ jįŗ¹ lįŗ¹yįŗ¹ n gbe fo. This means you are sustained by what you eat or what nurtures you. ā€­ā€­In this context, what you know about God’s will for you and how you feed yourself spiritually is going to be important for your sustenance.

The journey of 2024 is far. You need something to hold you, to carry you through the year. This is not to say the year is going to be hard or impossible or to be a prophet of doom, but there will be moments that life seems to come at you fast, and you need an anchor.
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life? There is but one anchor that doesn’t shake, and that is God’s word.

Write the word(s) down. You might not be sure, but write down what you think God is saying. Ask him to confirm his word.

Sometimes, we weary ourselves doing things God hasn’t asked of us. We get discouraged, worn out, and give up. Having a chat with my bestie, I was reminded of how important it is to know the season of life you’re in. There are different times and seasons in life. ā€­ā€­Ecclesiastesā€¬ ā€­3:1ā€¬ ā€­AMPCā€¬ā€¬: TO EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven.

Doing things out of season requires more effort and can be frustrating without much to show for it. Knowing what the season you’re in, you might better understand your circumstances and how God is working through them to achieve his purpose. You might be less inclined to fight certain things. You might be less inclined to compare yourself to other people and be more content with where you are in your journey.

In summary:
1) Ask God what season you’re in and what he’s doing in and through you.
2) Ask God for a word for you for this season, for directions, encouragement. Write it down.
3) If nothing else, a good thing this year would be to spend more time with God, whatever that looks like for you, and you’ll get to know him better (experentially).

P.S. Life seasons don’t often run in calendar cycles, but this is a new year, so a chance to remind us all šŸ˜‰

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New year, new …

Hello hello, hello.

Happy New Year! It’s not too late is it šŸ¤¦šŸ½ā€ā™€ļø

I hope you’re settling in the new year very well … and remembering to write the right date šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚ I remember my first few days back at work after the holidays,Ā  I lost track of what day I was on. The holidays completely scrambled my sense of time and I really didn’t want to go back to work but needs must! šŸ¤·šŸ¾ā€ā™€ļø

The New Year buzz and excitement is starting to ebb and soon (unfortunately), a lot of new resolutions are going to start falling by the way side, long forgotten by the time we get to January 31st! Still can’t believe that’s tomorrow!

I’m not really one for new year resolutions as such. However IĀ  do like to make a list of things I’d like to achieve in the year because to fail to plan is to plan to fail. I’d love to say my goals are SMART goals and they’re all mapped out really clearly … but that would be a lie šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚ That’s definitely something I can improve on… having SMART goals.


I’d like to share my thoughts on planning for this new year.

1. Set yourself some goals. They don’t have to be formal goals or written in a formal sense. Just think about where you want to be at the end of the year. How do you want to improve on yourself? Think about different domains of your life e.g. spirituality, relationship with others, relationship with yourself,  finances, etc.

2. Document these goals. Put pen to paper … fingers to screen/keyboard… it doesn’t matter  but make sure you make a note of your goals.  The faintest pen(cil) is better than the best memory.


3. Find a balance between being realistic and challenging yourself. This is easier said than done. However it is important to consider. You don’t want to set such unrealistic,  nigh-on-impossible to achieve goals that you get to the end of the year and all you’ve got is a heart full of regret and a gaggle of half-baked, abandoned projects. Be ambitious but don’t set yourself up for failure.


4. Share your goals with people who love you and have your best interest at heart. This does not necessarily translate to sharing all your dreams with one person. It might be that you share different goals with different people who can encourage you,  hold you accountable and share that journey with you.


5. Have fun! Try something new whether that’s a new dish, new artist,  new genre, activity, whatever. Life might you down sometimes but determine within yourself that as much as lies within your power,  misery will not be your companion this year! I reject it for you! Goodness and mercy will run after you every day.

So that’s it from me as an introduction (albeit belated) to the new year and decade.

As a reminder of what to expect from the blog. There will be monthly posts every last Thursday of the month. Some months I might decide add on a special so watch this space!

Also I plan to have more posts on mental health topics this year. If there is any particular ones you’d like some information on, please post a comment or send me a message.

I hope you have a beautiful, fulfilling year and decade. May you enjoy good health and peace this year. I hope we have an amazing time together this year šŸ˜ŠšŸ˜Š

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End of year

Happy New Year (1)

Hallo there. So it’s the end of the year and everyone and their dog is writing about their year and their plans for the new year, goals and all that good stuff. So I’ll jump on the bandwagon šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚

Nah seriously … it’s been a bit of a funny year for me but I’m not going to bore you with all the details of my year or maybe I’ll just do it next year once the hype has died down šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‰

I’ve got some tips about end of year/new year.

1) Set time aside to reflect on this year that’s ending. Think about the good, bad and ugly parts of the year. The aim is not to be full of regret, self-pity or shame. No, the aim is to celebrate and be thankful for the good moments; to think about what made the bad moments bad and likewise for the ugly.

2) On the back of no 1:

  • write 5 things you’re thankful for. It may be more or less than 5, there’s no fancy reason for 5 šŸ˜‰
  • 5 things you learned from the bad moments
  • 5 things you’d like to improve next year (from the ugly moments) – can be anything e.g. better coping mechanisms, knowing who to ask for help etc.

3) None of these uber unrealistic goals that you make every year and never achieve. I’m not saying don’t dream big or restrict yourself to ‘small’ things. More on that below.

SMART

4) Ask yourself what you want to achieve this new year. Don’t worry if it’s the same as last year. Rome was not built in a day (trust me I’ve been there šŸ˜‰). Have smart goals this year. Where possible break things into nice, manageable tasks. If possible, share it someone who can hold you accountable!

5) Learn something new (no matter how small); or improve an existing skill.

6) So you don’t think 5 is my favourite number šŸ¤£šŸ¤£šŸ¤£

On a serious note though, Be hopeful. Don’t let anyone or anything steal your hope or joy this year. Protect yourself. be proactive, have a contingency plan because there will be things this year that may want to cause you to lose hope or steal your joy. It doesn’t have to be something fancy e.g. a song to de-stress, a close friend to talk to, a bible verse to read, you get the picture. It’ll be better if it’s something easily accessible though.

Have a great year ahead!!!

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