New Year, Same Me...ish: It's all about 2020

And just like that, it’s 2020! Happy New Year my darling people. I hope you’ve had a nice break, feel refreshed and ready to start the new year. As you know, I tend to use this time to reflect and refocus, putting the highlights of my thinking in a post. For me, 2019 was very productive. I’ve moved home, my job has enabled me to help yet again build another business up from scratch, and I am hopeful about having a healthy work life balance. This Christmas, my family and I spent just over 2 weeks in Sierra Leone.  Not only is this where my dad was born, it is also where I spent some of my childhood. I went a few years ago after being away for over two decades, but it was a short visit. As I had more time this trip, I spent quality time with my family and got to explore a lot more of my fatherland country. Though it’s been through so much over the years (war, floods, Ebola), Sierra Leone is still beautiful. The trip was a great way to end the year as it brought home most the learnings I got out of the past year:

Good health, family and friends are the most important things in life: As your parents, aunties and uncles get older and frailer, it’s so important to invest and cherish the time you spend with them. Every outing, conversation or walk is precious and instead of letting your mind fast forward to the next few hours, be in the present and enjoy the moment. Also, health is wealth and if you have a good group of friends around you, you’re more blessed than you know

There’s no place like home:  Since I moved into my new place a few months ago, I’ve never been so calm or felt so settled. Things change very quickly so it’s so important to have a part of your life that feels stable. For me right now, it’s being in a home that I love, feel safe in, and know I’ll be living in for the foreseeable future

What’s meant for you won’t go by you: This is a really hard one to believe when you’re in the moment; when you don’t get the job you interviewed for, or a partner you want ( or think you want) or a contract you’ve been working on that falls through. Every time I’ve been disappointed about any opportunity, I always end up getting a WAY BETTER one… better than I ever imagined. It just takes time. Time is the gift we don’t like when we have it, but when things finally fall into place, are so glad we had. It’s also important to give the universe a helping hand of course; work hard, stay focused, stay optimistic and have patience. It always works out.

Speak your truth; Sometimes we ignore the authentic voices in our heads telling us to speak our truth. Speaking your truth doesn’t necessarily mean needing to be unpleasant or cause pain. What I’ve learnt is that if you have a niggling question or thought or opinion that won’t go away, speak it – whatever the consequences. We tend to avoid being honest with ourselves because we are afraid of rocking the boat. What I’ve learnt is if that boat is going to be rocked when you speak your truth, then eventually, it will rock or completely drown. All you’re doing by not saying how you feel is delaying the inevitable.

                                                        2019 Best looks : Bathroom selfie edition 

I feel like 2020 is going to be another productive one. For me, this year is all about thinking out of the box, stepping out of my comfort zone, and rebranding myself and my skill sets. A lot of us only tend to step up when we’ve been blocked into a corner and have no other choice. I’d really like to be ahead of the game with that (I know… so much easier said than done). In terms of all things fashion and beauty and the blog, I really want to give it some love this year. I’ve been blogging for nearly 9 years, but it has been neglected of late and needs some TLC.  I say it every year but buying less and making the most out of my already extensive wardrobe is the ultimate task. Unless it’s a silhouette or colour or style I don’t own, or an investment piece, I’m not buying it. I also want to get more into skincare and attempt doing tutorials (though it’s highly likely I’ll get too intimidated and procrastinate instead). I hope you have the best fulfilling and fruitful 2020 and promise to get my arse into gear and bring you lots more content! HNY