“Hello 2025”

It’s already been a few days into the new year, so how has it been going for you? I know there were a few tragic things that happened such as the NOLA attack. Such a sad way to enter the year. I hope that does not set a precedence of how the next 12 months will be, let’s all hope of the best and continue to be at our best.

My days have been good. I followed some of the superstitious routines like not cleaning anything on New Years day, but I did do a deep clean on New Years Eve. I did end up pushing myself to go out. I went around to a few places to say hi to loved ones and wish them blessings in the new year. I did not intend to stay out past midnight because I wanted to go into the new year in my own space, but I ended up at my friend’s bar and ran into a few familiar faces. I enjoyed myself. The atmosphere was filled with smiles, hugs, and love. So I guess I started the new year how it was intended for me. It’s 2025 and I am resetting and starting fresh with many things and people.

Plus, this is the last term of my doctorate program! I’m highly excited and anxious about that. It’s crunch time now. I cannot let up on the peddle. I really need to zone in and have tunnel vision. This is going to become one of the pivotal moments of my life. To some people it may just mean another unnecessary degree or just a reason for people to act like they are better than those who do not have a doctorate, but that’s not what it means to me. This degree is proof that I can achieve whatever I want to, without any handouts or anyone encouraging me or paving the way for me, I am doing it with my own tenacity and resources. It also sets the tone for my kids that they can do the same.

I’ve said this plenty of times before, people may see my and see my lifestyle and some luxury labels, but they don’t know how hard I worked for it. They don’t know how hard I worked to provide a comfortable and stable life for my family. I don’t expect people to all of a sudden come to realize my reality, I’m just used to it by now, but I would like for people not to assume I’m some type of pampered woman who’s being taken care of by someone. I think the only relationship where I asked and expected a lot was with my marriage. All the other lovers, I just wanted a type of camaraderie that allowed a personal barrier of communication and understanding. - Baby, I don’t want much, I just want you to see me as me and appreciate who I am and protect my name and my happiness.

I have great feelings for this year. I think back to 5 years ago, what was I doing? Well in 2020, Covid restrictions were slowly starting to lift - wasn't Covid such a wild time? Even though it was over 5 years ago, it’s unbelievable to remember everything we faced and everything we had to do during that time. We couldn't be in large groups, schools were shut down, businesses had to close and figure out ways to still make money, I renovated my home office to make my work days more efficient, also I had to make a space for my kids to have their class time. Yeah, the wake of Covid was definitely an experience for everyone.

Things really began to change for me when the restrictions started to lift. I negotiated a few work contracts that allowed me to get a high-rise apartment in a downtown location, not in a big city, but in a city that I have grown to appreciate. I also got re-involved with a previous lover around the 3rd-last part of the year. I was working on my second master’s degree and I was expanding my professional network. My family dynamic was shifting a little, I began traveling more for work and picking up more projects going into 2021 and my life has sort of been on that groove since then; work, business, travel, family, and school. Life has been good, not easy and a few struggles at times also a few unexpected moments, but I don’t have any major complaints.

I want my 2025 to be a memorable year. For my career, I want to work with more small businesses. I've enjoyed the challenges of working with major corporations and manufacturing companies, but I believe in small economy. With family, I want more time with them, not just being at home, but experiencing different parts of life together. My kids are getting older and one is already halfway through college, I still want them to have space with me and know that their mom wants great things for them. For my love life, well, I’ll leave that up to the universe, but one thing is for damn sure if I do get involved with someone, I’m not showcasing it to the world, we could be in the same room and you’d never know that he's sees me under the sheets occasionally. Right now, l’ll just keep loving on my friends and strengthening the bonds I have with them.

One thing I am going to do differently is be more open with people. I want to express when I'm happy or excited about something and I also want to share when something bothers me. I actually began doing that recently. I told someone to not bring people around if they have or will have an issue with me. And I told this person to consider my feelings about it and to protect my peace as best as they can. I did emphasize that there is only so much we can control, but we can make better decisions to avoid uncomfortable situations. I don’t want bad energy in my spaces of comfort and I don’t want to feel like I can't be who I am with people because of someone who may take offense and play the victim or feel like something isn't fair to them. I’m not going to readjust who I am to cater to someone who doesn't like me, especially a person who does spiteful things towards me. Those type of people have always been odd to me, like the people who do shady things to others or always find a way to talk about someone else in a bad manner but yet, takes offense when someone doesn't see them as a respected person.

Another friend said you me, “You shine when you enter a room. Don’t dim your light because someone doesn’t know how to brighten theirs.” - I like that. 2025 is going to be a different tone. I hope all of you have a great year. Not too much will change around here, I’m still going to talk about the topics you like and I’ll still share some of the feedback and I do my best to always give different points of views.

Again, I’m forever grateful you guys take time for me. With there being so many podcasts, radio shows, YouTube, TikToc, Instagram, and millions of Influencers, I Iove that you take time to hear my little messages and I hope some of my words resonate with you and maybe help you in some way.

Happy 2025. Be safe everyone.