I can hear them snore from their beds as I peek my head into the bedroom. Christmas Eve in my apartment is quiet and yet it feels inviting. It is something about the pause before the morning, the deep breath held in before joy is released. My kids have been under the weather for the past three days with intense fevers. I have been holding it down as I overcame a fever and cold too.
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I was excited ASF the evening I sat down at my dining room table to create my 2025 vision board. I was doing it all from my phone after watching a motivational YouTube video. I wanted to high-step into new opportunities. I was determined to experience financial growth. I was looking forward to embracing more of my motherhood journey. Gain more stability. I wanted to bask in soft life energy.
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As the year winds down and the reflection of Christmas lights bounces from the ornaments on my tree, I can’t help but reflect on how this year unfolded. It began with me feeling conflicted and depressed. I will explain a little more. I had anxiety about going into year 31.
Santa is not a holiday hero for children growing up in poverty. I don’t think this is just because someone spoiled the excitement or because I caught him unloading gifts on my front porch—but because I knew, even at seven years old, that he didn’t exist. There was no chimney for him to slide down at my house. There was no ho, ho laughter filling the night, and no tree for him to place gifts under. We didn’t have one.
The holiday season is known as a time for gratefulness, love, and joy, but let’s keep it real: Your glow-up doesn’t always get a round of applause. Sometimes, the more happiness and calmness you display, the more it angers those who watch you. This isn’t your problem. It’s theirs. But let’s unpack why your self-confidence, especially during the holidays, might cause some people to become hot-headed and bothered by your character.
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You have made it! Embrace the feeling and vibes of the start of December 2022. In just a few more weeks, we shall be bringing in the new year. You have come such a long way this year. You have experienced so many ups and downs, but you are here.
We are just two weeks away from Christmas. I have adapted to the hotel living with my two kids just fine. Money is tight. My faith is bigger than a mustard seed. I’ve learned how I had to gently break away from having expectations of others in all ways. What I have learned about myself during this separation that’s leading to a divorce is that I must practice my love language on myself. I cannot be sitting in my room feeling guilty and having the blues about anything.
I'm still shocked that it's already December! We are almost close to ending this year with a bang, baby! We not going out for 2021 bitter, upset, and punching at the air. Oh no, indeed. This year has been one hell of a year. As many of you know, my husband and I went our separate ways in late October. It was enlightening and heartbreaking all at the same time.
When I decided to re-admit myself back into college after filling out financial aid for the fall semester of 2019, I didn’t know how it would turn out for me. I was nervous and felt a little intimated by my online college courses.
There a few things that I want for Christmas that money can not buy. I wanted to create this list because we can carelessly overlook the non-materialist things in life for many of us. There has been a lot of talk about obtaining designer bags, shoes, and clothing from celebrities and little to no talk about obtaining happiness outside of those things on social media.
One of the biggest lessons that I have learned this year is to stay true to your purpose in life. I know for a fact that this year I did not let myself down. I spoke my mind. I spoke my truth even if my voice shook, if I felt nervous, and even if I knew I had no other choice.
Here are the 20 words that came to my mind when I thought about Jesus today! Let's dive in!
This year I am most proud of my self-determination. A few times, I can remember vividly throughout this year, that I felt as if I was surrendering to my situation.
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| Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash |
If I could summarize this year in 3 words, the three words I would use are gratefulness, authenticity, and voice. At the beginning of 2020, I started practicing gratitude, and I am ending this year with a grateful heart. Covid-19 had come with a vicious grasp upon the United States and even here in Louisiana. Overall let’s break down why I chose each word.
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| Photo by Chad Madden on Unsplash |
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| Dear Santa Claus |
