2024 year was a year of boldness on so many levels which I’ll try to break down.
On Discipline
This year I wasn’t as disciplined as I’d have loved. I didn’t give enough time to the skills I’m learning. Although, choosing to start was a huge step and I’m happy I did.
On Friendships
This year, I made a lot of friends and lost a. good number as well. The dynamics of some friendships have changed, most likely forever. The friendship breakups hurt and I’ve not completely healed from them yet. I randomly remember how things used to be and it hurts again.
On a lighter note, my prayer concerning good female friendships was answered!
Also, the Holy Spirit showed me how much I idolised friendships and constantly chose friends over Him. I’d run to them the moment I felt sad or was in need of advice. And that’s not a bad thing per se, but the Holy Spirit should never be Plan B.
He taught me to prioritise Him, while still being present in my friends’ lives. I learnt to sacrifice whatever was required. To show up for them, even at inconvenient times. Especially at inconvenient times.
I learnt to love, and while I may not have been the model friend, I did try and I’m proud of that.
On Family
I realised I will always be loved and supported at home. That will never change. I love the bond I have with my mum. I’m also grateful for my relationship with my brothers and for how free we are with one another now.
On Love
I’m still ending the year single, hehe. I’m not bothered. I’m really not. I know you don’t believe me, but I’m not. My time will come.
But this year, I learnt to love people for who they truly are. I wrote about it in my piece in January. Little did I know that was just 2% of what I would face.
I also realised that when I love and care about someone, I pray for them a lot! I pray to hear from God concerning them.
On Faith
At the start of the year, I was worried that my spiritual life would fall apart, because of uni.
But God preserved my relationship with Him and revealed Himself to me in so many ways.
This year I knew God as my peace! You see the peace Jesus talked about in Philippians 4:7, I felt it like never before. In chaotic situations, His peace really guarded my heart and mind.
I knew Him as Jireh. The Providential God, who sees a need before it arises and has made provision for it. Some times it was financial provision, other times it was in the form of clarity and wisdom to move.
God led me to do things I normally wouldn’t do and as much as I hate to admit it, I did not obey most of the time. He led me to mentor and lead in different areas. The amazing thing was that He helped me through it all. He didn’t just give me the instruction and leave me to figure it out myself.
This year, I got better at obeying and yielding. to God and I trust His plans for my life so much more.
On Health
I saw a significant improvement in my health this year. I barely had any health scare. My checkups were perfect. All the tests I did had positive results. During one of my checkups, I remember the doctor going through my test results for that day and the previous ones and he said God had to be on my side, because the ‘case’ is usually never that good. I’m grateful to God and I thank Him for my healing!
On Freedom/Confidence
This year, my 6 year battle with social anxiety ended. It’s funny how I didn’t realise it had stopped until Sammy pointed out how shocked he was to see me among the congregation in church. The Holy Spirit also reminded me of other occasions, the major one being the Reverb concert I attended. Normally, I’d have been shaking and I probably would have left early.
Now I can openly worship and pray and just BE in a large crowd.
In all these, I would not have known about my deliverance if I didn’t intentionally choose to put myself in those situations, despite how suffocating each moment felt. I prayed and took active steps too and now I’m freeee.
My overall self confidence also took a huge and positive turn. I don’t second guess myself or my decisions. I don’t cringe as much. If you know me, you’ll know how huge that is. I post my pictures without being overly conscious.
I tweet more freely now, even though I still run to ChatGPT occasionally to make sure my sentences are correct. (The progress isn’t linear anyways..)
I didn’t let fear hinder me from making the decisions I made this year and it makes me so happy.
Miscellaneous.
I wrote and shared 9 pieces/rant here on Medium and got heartwarming reviews. I became more conscious of my crossed eyes and it messed with my confidence at some point. I explored new interests – cinematography/videography. I captured a lot of memories with my friends.
For 2025, I want to be really disciplined in every area. I want to take my health more seriously. I want to love the things of God even more and trust Him more.
I genuinely look forward to seeing how the year unfolds.
Happy New Year in advance ❤️
