I’ve been avoiding writing this post just because there’s no other way I can describe my year without being as candid and raw as I can possibly be. However, my readers know me and I figured since it’s the last day of 2013, the content is most fitting for the day. So here goes.
It all comes tumbling down…
Twenty thirteen has been the hardest year of my life. I say that with no embellished insinuations. It was hard! This year, from the very start of it, has been the most trying time I’ve ever had to endure in one year. Everything from my family life and changes there to watching doctors relentlessly try to save my grandmother, all to realize there was nothing left anyone could do. I had to look in her face for the last time and tell her ‘goodbye’ and wait for her to pass away. My character has been tried, trampled, ripped and attacked beyond words. My confidence was shot. I was being pulled in 1,000 directions. My relationships had its fair share of upside down, inside out, catastrophic moments. I almost couldn’t cope! Twenty thirteen beat up on me pretty good, but I chose to keep a smile on my face so no one would notice. Despite all of the turmoil, the worst year of my life drastically changed into one of the best. When I lost myself, I found life.
Better days…
This year was full of lessons. The biggest lesson I learned is that despite of what I think things should be like, God is God. Period. When I totally dropped being self-sufficient and self-controlling, and all the other things in life that start with “self”, and put my thoughts, hopes, dreams, fears…literally everything in God’s hands, things began to change. For that I can say I’m grateful for the challenges because they made me better and stronger. No need to feel sorry for me. God’s got me and that’s all that matters!
This year, I have met some incredible fashion bloggers I could collaborate with and growth in readership that I never imagined for BlushingBlack.com. In terms of my endeavors, I’ve had the chance to increase my experience in the things I truly love. I dove head first into web design, starting with the redesign of Blushing Black, as well as redesigning this site. I had the chance to dive into some photography, which I truly enjoy. And I was fortunate enough to collaborate with some amazing brands, like Lacoste & Pantene. Through all of this, I was able to pinpoint what my God-given talents are and identify the things that truly make me happy.
My 2013 was the year of destruction and rebuilding.
The best is still ahead of me…
So what’s next for me in 2014? No fancy quotes, no bragging about new resolutions. Just a new-found outlook on life, keeping what’s important important, living a happy and peaceful life, and a desperate expectation of only God’s best for what He has in store. I’m ready.
