For many people, if you sit down and ask them how 2021 was, they’d usually shake their heads and say it was trying times. A year of loss, pain, financial strife, Covid, job politics, busyness, unemployment, termination, misery, and then some. A lot of people wouldn’t say that 2021 was “their year”. For myself as well, last year was not even close to a walk in the park. But I learned a lot, grew a lot, loved a lot, and developed a whole new respect for myself I never thought existed. I realised that I’m one hell of a woman. And that is not an egotistical statement. It’s a statement that has come from reflections on the past, my ability to adopt certain behaviorisms in situations, react appropriately, rise to every occasion, not fall cowering in fear when the world falls apart, but just to keep going and rely on God’s strength when I have none. In the past year, I have been a friend, co-worker, ex, nurse, nanny, business owner, colleague, leader, mother-like, mentor, caregiver, sister, and literal lifesaver. I have braved sickness, death, and disease and gotten up every single time I fell, just to be there for those who needed me. And that’s why I’m a hell of a woman. Even though Christians might frown at that statement. But I’m looking at 2022 differently.
This year is gonna be MY year. And not because blessings are going to flow through my way from every angle, not because it's going to be filled with prosperity, wealth, fun, and all good things. I don’t expect it to. I don’t expect the tables to turn. I do hope this year is much less tumultuous than last year, but I don’t expect it to be easy. Should a third wave hit, a family crisis emerges, an unexpected tragedy occurs, I will still say and firmly believe that this is my year. Because it's the year I reclaim my dignity and sense of self-worth. When I put personal healing, growth, success, and nourishment at the forefront.
I’m not making any big, sweeping statements, nor any major and measurable resolutions for 2022. I’m committing to a long, but well-overdue self-care journey. I’m walking away from lazy habits, but also allowing myself to engage in self-indulgence from time to time. I’m prioritizing dates with myself and going against the social stigma of always having someone to be around. I’m going to approach people and create friendships, rather than waiting for people to approach me. I’m going to carry myself with love, confidence, and appreciation because God has made me be a woman with purpose and mission. I’m going to stand up for myself when people talk at me, talk down to me and criticize me, but accept constructive criticism from those who care. I’m going to educate myself on things I’ve always said I wanted to learn about but never did because I was distracted by the world or lazy. I’m going to trust that my future has great things and begin saving money. I’m going to be more generous and begin tithing, but also give to my friends who need it. I’m going to go after the therapy I need. I’m going to begin to work through my issues of abandonment, fear of marriage, comparison, obsessions, habits, PTSD, anxiety, loss, and sexual trauma.
I’m not going to give myself big and unachievable goals like weight loss and learning a new language, because my resolutions often tend to go unachieved. There isn’t anything wrong with people who make these kinds of goals, as long as they don’t feel disappointed if they can’t achieve them. But I choose to not kick myself if things don’t go according to my plan, and I need to learn to be okay with that. I’m going to commit to smaller, more attainable goals of self-improvement. I'm going to learn more, read more, go out when I want to and stay home when I want to, I’m going to say ‘no’ and mean it. And I’m going to continue to walk in the profound wisdom that God has given me. And last but not least, I’m going to rise and slay with content at The Daily Deck. Stay tuned for a brilliant year as we brave the world together.
From Suzie Hart,
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
The Daily Deck Magazine
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