2017 - The BEST yet, WORST year lol
It is Officially 2018!!! we can all wave goodbye and good riddance to 2017
This year was a year of growth for me. I was so happy to finally see the light that is the end to PPD. I also suffer from depression but PPD was another beast all in itself. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. However, I am a survivor and I am so proud of myself as well as my husband for all he has and continues to do for me and our family. This man never complained when he had to work 40+ hours a week to provide for us, get off work, clean the house, cook dinner and take care of our children because I was just not capable to do it. I knew I he was an amazing man when I married him but this year (and last) made me love him even more than before. We celebrated 12 years of marriage this year, We started having consistent date nights as well.
Some other good things that happened this year was the ability to see some of my family this year. Two of my sisters I got to see TWICE this year which is HUGE. They live in KY and we live in FL so being able to see them both twice in one year was truly a blessing. I was also able to see a close friend before the year ended. One of my closest friends moved BACK to FL and it has been a joy having her here. I was able to attend a friend 15 yr wedding anniversary which was awesome since I was the MOH and there the day they said I DO. To see them happy is so encouraging to me. So many good memories that I didn't even take photos of. I learned to really live in the moment this year and truly embrace whatever I am dealing with and taking it day by day.
When I look back at these pics they envoke such happy emotion. I am humbled that I was able to live my life and have amazing people around me. Now this year wasn't all about rainbows and butterflies.
Just looking at the news you could see that there was so much chaos going on in the world. That chaos spilled over into my life. I found out that I am the product of rape and that is something that I had felt I was for a WHILE. However, to have it confirmed by your mother was triggering especially since the man who molested me as a child confirmed it to one of my sisters. All of a sudden all of these feelings I THOUGHT I had dealt with came flooding back as flashbacks, harsh realities that I indeed needed to heal and really take care of myself. I have been in therapy for a while and I am finally in a place where I can share. I read a book by the AMAZING Jennifer Lewis called Mother of Black Hollywood (A MUST READ, do yourself a favor ) she had a rough childhood as well and she said something that I will forever carry with me - "We are ALL as SICK as our SECRETS." I know that for me to truly heal I cant hold on to secrets. So many families hold onto these things and we can't. I implore you for 2018 just be REAL and be honest about who you are and WHAT you have been through. TELL YOUR TRUTH. We all have baggage but we don't need that baggage to define us. in 2018 I want to focus not only on my mental health but my health overall. I may have a setback but I am determined to know stay down, I will get back up and fight to get to my goals. They may not come to fruition in 2018 but I will make sure to put in the work. I have some trends that I would love to see everyone doing in 2018. You can check that out below
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHzxoHExDLA]
What are some of your treasured memories from 2017? What challenges did you overcome? What are you working towards this year?