Lets start by wishing you a fulfilled and prosperous New Year. It is rather cliche- every year the same wishes and the making of new resolutions going into the new year. I would state that I am very proud of you, that means that I am also proud of myself. We made it through 2022. Be proud! Take the knowledge and wisdom to 2023. We are going to make it through too, even if it is too early to state that. Let God guide you in this journey.
Last year
It has been a hard year for all of us. Many had to conquer their ‘demons’. A though mental health struggle for many of us. Not everyone made it, and you did. I don’t know what you are going through, and I am not an expert to guide. But I do want to acknowledge the journey and the hardship as struggles it can carry.
I have struggled a little on a different aspect of mental health. What I couldn’t do is showing up for myself when I had so many goals. When I evaluated myself I would be so mad that I had so many good intentions that got wasted. Many times I got overwhelmed with the feeling of success instead of failure, and it was hard for me to capture that, like I don’t really deserve that success, or that I was bragging. And when I watch other people or peers close to me and on socials – I wish I was kind of more like them. Feeling a little jealousy. I would be mad at myself again, or complain or compare. Those things can also play tricks with your mental health.
Realization of the year
On the other side of the medallion I have to admit that others can also look at me, and feel the same way I do about them. When I am honest with myself I realize that my journey is not theirs and their journey is not mine. I think we tend to forget this – maybe we should write it down as a daily reminder. You could take this quote, print it out, frame it and hang it on your wall, where you see it everyday, when walking by. The quote: my journey is not yours and yours is not mine. Or just rephrase it.
When I am honest with myself I see that I also achieve a few good things.
The first one is registering my business at the Chamber of Commerce.
The second one is nailing a project of the Food and Agriculture Organization in Suriname as a Junior Communication Assistant.
The third is traveling to my boyfriend abroad for 10 days after one year not seeing him.
Just while I was writing this out, I retrieved some notes I once scribbled on with my to-do’s, intentions or things I did or want to achieve. I went through them and this is what I did last year.
Did you know I wrote a story of being proud! You can read it with just a simple title: proud!
The year 2022
This year is going to be the bomb!
- I am not freelancing, but I have a business UniXion NV. This is a media company that focuses on communication and journalism productions such as articles, feature reports and communication materials. Still in the process of finding my niche. I am putting my journalism career as a video journalist to the test as a entrepreneur.
- I don’t know if I am good in English yet, but I have tried to write my blogs in English and created a section for some Dutch articles to keep my Dutch writings sharp. My partner is American, which conversations in English is my daily habit.
- Voiceovers for documentary or film- in 2021 I did a short news story for Tropenbos Suriname in Dutch and the story written in English too. The voice-over of the English version is by Rafael Jantz. In total I got 510 views. That is so cool!
- I forgot that I mentioned this; scriptwriting/storytelling for music videos. Did you know I talked with a producer Dalino from Young Family Records. Hopefully I will do a writing project soon. I mean a talk can always lead to something and I am putting it on the list.
- Engaging with people outside my environment. Forgot what I mean with this, but I did connected more with introverts. Most of my girlfriends are introverted people. They keep me grounded and focused.
- I contributed in JCI Urban this year by standing guard to the values and principles of this organization. 10 years of serving has been a blast. Within groups on social media I contributed by sharing stuff that would and will benefit the online community in realtime.
- Next is my great share of the corporate contribution. I have test my skills and knowledge through journalism in the corporate communications. I worked for a small yet international airline, and for a international power solution company. Currently, I am working on a project with an international non-governmental organization and other projects with UniXion NV.
- I have a financial person that keeps my financial planning on point. For now it is mainly focused on registering all administrations. We are up to date!
It is all planned out- I am planning my birthday this weekend. Turning 8= 3+5. And visiting my partner for a longer period with who I have travel plans.
You can follow me on my socials. Before I forget I love quotes and I get them from everywhere. Especially for this I made a new IG called: writer_of_thoughts08 Last year I also tried to be consistent in posting on this platform.
My last advice don’t be hard on yourself. All progress is progress, even if you just did one tiny step, put it on your list and be proud, because you did achieve something.