Twenty-twenty-two will always be a special year for me. It was a year of personal growth and challenge. There were times when I felt overwhelmed and unsure if I could handle everything that was thrown at me, but through it all, I felt God’s strength and support. This year pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to reevaluate my priorities. I also learned to appreciate the true value of friendships that were there for me during the tough times. As the year comes to a close, I wanted to reflect on some of my lessons.
Personal growth is often accompanied by a feeling of accomplishment, but it is important to remember that it is often through challenges and difficulties that we experience the most growth. This year, I have encountered several experiences that have forced me to slow down and reflect on my personal growth as an individual.
At the start of this year, I was living in a small studio apartment and had just adopted
my first cat, Oreo. Oreo was an all-black cat with a white birthmark on his body. Living on my own can be lonely, and Oreo helped brighten my mood and provided some emotional support. Unfortunately, my time with Oreo was cut short when he ran away. I was devastated and spent months searching for him, but eventually had to accept that he was gone. It was a tough experience, as I felt like a failure for not being able to keep my pet safe and happy. Oreo had
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Sometime this year, I quit my job as a Digital Marketer and ventured into being a Travel Consultant. During my time in this new job, there were several warning signs that I chose to ignore because of the financial benefits. I was eager to improve my financial situation and wanted to be able to afford nice things and create a comfortable future for myself. For months, I tried to convince myself that my new job was because of my qualifications and work ethic but it wasn’t. The answer to my dilemma was black and white, the only reason I got that job was that my friend was the wife of the owner of the company. However, this new job ultimately brought out negative aspects of my personality and reopened old wounds related to bullying. It also became apparent that I was not valued or wanted within the company
An unsettling experience in which my safety was compromised prompted me to take a pause and reevaluate my actions. At what felt like the peak of my success, I was unexpectedly terminated from my job and had to find the motivation to move forward, even though all I wanted to do was succumb to my sadness and isolate myself. This was a particularly difficult time for me because, although I take pride in my work ethic and had never been fired before, I found myself in a demoralizing situation.
The third experience that prompted me to change my approach to personal growth was a friendship that I considered to be very dear to me. Ivy (not her real name) and I had been friends off and on for years, and as someone who is anxious and prone to being clingy in my relationships, I truly cared for her. However, despite my feelings for her, our friendship was not enough for Ivy, and after months of reconnecting, she suddenly stopped communicating with me. I spent days lost in thought, trying to understand what I might have done wrong to cause the loss of this friendship. I began to question my ability to judge people and their intentions towards me, as I had experienced a significant number of lost friendships over the course of the year and had come to the conclusion that I was the problem. Losing friends can throw off your sense of balance and leave you feeling lonely.
In July, I became engaged to the love of my life. I used to underestimate the transformative power of love, but I have come to realize just how much it can change a person. I never thought that someone would find me worthy of love, as I have faced a series of rejections throughout my life. My partner’s acceptance and love for me was the greatest highlight of my year. He loves me with pure and genuine love and is gentle, compassionate, and caring. He is almost perfect in every way, and being with him makes me constantly feel high and in love. He is my forever source of joy and happiness.
Through these experiences, I have come to understand that life is always changing and we have the power to decide what we allow to affect us and what we need to let go of in order to lead a happy and stable life. I may not be where I thought I would be by the end of the year, but I am proud of myself for how I handled the challenges that came my way. I am proud that I never gave up on myself, even when everything seemed to be falling apart, and that I remained true to my values and beliefs. These highs and lows have made my twenty twenty-two an unforgettable year.
I have learned to love even harder when love is not reciprocated. I have learned to laugh and find joy in the music of life, no matter what it may bring. I have learned to accept myself as a constantly evolving and improving person, and to stand tall in the face of whatever challenges life throws my way. I have learned to appreciate and love those who truly care for me, and to let go of people who send mixed signals or do not align with my values.
One area that I regret not focusing on more this year is my mental health. It is unfortunate that we often prioritize our physical well-being over our mental well-being, but our minds play a crucial role in our emotions and overall functioning. I found myself sinking into depression and no one around me seemed to notice. I am the type of person who puts on a facade for different situations, but behind closed doors, I was struggling and it almost consumed me. I couldn’t bring myself to talk to anyone about what was really causing my pain due to the stigma surrounding mental health issues. However, in twenty-twenty-three, I vow to make my mental health a top priority. I will seek counselling, take time for myself, and focus on healing. It is important to take care of our mental health not only for our own well-being but also because our mental state can have an impact on those around us.