POV: welcome to my closing thoughts on 2021

2020 definitely caused many to pause and think, while 2021 was like one of those - "God gives the toughest battles to his strongest warriors" or "background character development so that you can become the main character" - kind of years. I definitely experienced a lot of root-level growth that has yet to be seen by many (and that is okay). However, when the world was taking monthly photo dumps (Oh, I love them! one of the best ways of storytelling) - I often felt like there was not 'enough' happening in my life. So I wanted to share what I had learned during the year - it was not a lot, but I think it was crucial. 

1. be kind

Many quotes often plead for you to be kind to those within your vicinity, which is true. Keep being kind to others. However, I think that you should be kinder to yourself. I was listening to the Growing up with gal-dem podcast (08:20- 9:25), and this is what was said was, "If you had a friend who treated you the way you treated yourself - would you still be friends with that person?". This saying has echoed in my mind for months because not only did it highlight what ills I had accepted from friends, but it highlighted that I had been settling. You are a person that deserves joy; love and the audacious things to happen to you too. Sometimes give yourself time - time to rest; time to heal; time to create; time to move as well as time to progress - not everysinglething should occur at once. I hope you consider that as week 1 of 52 weeks nears its end. Do not beat yourself up if you have not signed up for the gym yet, or you have signed up but have yet to go; you have yet to create your vision board or whatever applies to you.

2. perspective

I cannot begin to tell you how crucial this one is - wait, that's the point of this section right? In any case, how you look at things/the lens through which you view them is a powerful weapon that your mind owns. Now, if you've had an encounter that requires a trigger warning, I recommend seeing someone to help you process the events and the feelings that come with it.

When I talk about perspective, I frequently refer to how I see my body and how I approach various tasks in my daily life. For example, the perspective of my body can be so painful that I find it difficult to express the thoughts I have about it (Some days are better than others). I have recently had to re-word the phrase, " I HAVE to workout to look like this" to " I want to move my body because my mental health does benefit from it" or "I am so blessed to move my body because I get to see what is possible and that gives me a boost of confidence." I have had to review the lies I tell myself and replace them with three truths because it assists in reframing one's mindset and, ultimately, your attitude on things. I recommend it.  

-Z