here’s 7 things to consider before 2023:

(according to a recovering perfectionist...)

welp, we're here! 

2022 is finally coming to a close, and honestly, this is the first time [in a long] that I’ve been excited for the year ahead. 

normally, I approach the new year with cautious optimism because this time of year can put me & my mind into a frenzy.

i start overanalyzing my accomplishments and goals and overthink the “mistakes” I thought I made.

then I get a little too far-sighted into the future, to only end up overwhelmed by my expectations. and with my birthday being in March, I start thinking of all the things I wish I could have accomplished before my age changes again. 

it’s… traditionally a hot mess in my head. 

but this year, I decided the close things out with a lot more grace given to myself. 

i haven’t been cramming to make the perfect vision board before the clock strikes 12. i’ve released all the opportunities and people who didn’t stay or love me back. i’ve cried… a lot. and I took some time to accept the ‘me’ that is getting me over the threshold of this year because she deserves to be celebrated. 

i have to credit my ability to enter the year with clarity to my break from Instagram and Twitter. 

not being able to see what everyone else has going on or be “stunted on” while I heal, has done my heart a lot of good.

not feeling the pressure to perform in front of people while I got my heart back together has been therapeutic. and planning my goals in the hideaway of God’s presence has been sacred — and I’m grateful for this time. 

with that in mind, I won’t keep you too long today, but I did want to check in for the last time of 2023 to share a couple of things that I’m holding as truths & reminders for the year ahead.

and as always, take what you need. 

1. perfectionism produces procrastination: (read that again) the interesting thing about this loop is that it keeps everything in your head, and keeps you from putting anything out into the world. but moving forward, I look to create things as they come to mind and refine them (if needed) once it’s out of my head. attention to detail is an amazing trait/skill to have, as long as it’s not keeping you from releasing what’s within you.

2. give people the chance to get to know you on a deeper, more personal level: whew, ya girl is such a private person, and it’s been a defense mechanism that has served me for years. but with one of my 2023 goals being to cultivate more meaningful community and sisterhood, it’s going to require me to rely less on privacy and more on vulnerability. that doesn’t mean that I’m going to go around, telling everybody my business, but I have a lot to give and I’m finally in a place where I trust myself to be open and share myself with the right people. 

3. release yourself from the need to be “seen” by everyone: as I mentioned in my last audio episode, “people aren’t necessarily sleeping on you, they may just be intimidated by the idea of who you will be once you wake up to your full potential.” i’ve always felt unseen/overlooked by certain groups of people, but I’ve taken some time to think about why I needed their external validation in the first place. when you accept yourself first, you draw in people who willingly and openly want to participate in your life, your joy, and your existence. in other words: 

   

   and that’s on who? Dr. Seuss!

4. use your voice: it’s time to open up that throat chakra, baby. i got a lot to say about a lot of things, and in this next chapter of my life, it’s going to go beyond the written form into the audio/verbal form — but more on that soon. 

5. it’s not too late for you: this… this is the one, FR. apply this to whatever medium you see fit for your life and journey, but for me, this applies to my love life & career. i trust that everything that hasn’t happened for me yet is on the way and when it arrives, it’s going to be everything I prayed for, and then some! 

6. you’ve masted seclusion, now it’s time to experience community: if you feel like you’ve been in hiding or just hibernating for a little bit, I want you to know that I see you. you are not alone or unwanted. there are new people and places that can’t wait to see and meet you — just wait and see! 

7. playing small is canceled: say it with me, “YOU… ARE… THAT… GIRL.” and it’s time that you start acting like it. 💕

thank y’all for rocking with me on my newsletter journey this year! it’s been fun!

be well, give yourself a hug tonight (or whenever you read this), and i’ll see you in 2023!