Happy Quarter New Year - 2025!

*record scratch* Yup! That's me. You're probably wondering how I'm just writing a Happy New Year post 3 months later, AGAIN! What can I say? 2024 beat my ass. It was supposed to be a year of confidence and joy, and though I was very much confident, joy was few, far between, and fleeting. I thought we were starting off the year on the right track with an on-time post in January, but it was downhill ever since. Life was truly life-ing and never let up. Regretfully, this blog became a casualty and even the desires for my YouTube channel fell way short with fewer than anticipated uploads. There were a few wins. I FINALLY got my 1st 500 subscribers - a milestone that put me within reach of monetization, which allowed me an opportunity to collaborate with one of my favorite brands, StyleWe (view video here). So, there WAS some progress and joy, but -again - it was fleeting. It was a 10-steps-forward, 5-steps-back kind of year. And 2025 is setting up to be no different. I'm truly gonna need to eat my Wheaties to survive what's already on deck (did I just age myself with that Wheaties reference?). #IYKYK

First of all, I'm an American citizen and the United States is undergoing a radical change, right now. It's a lot to deal with on a daily basis. That's the external challenge. Second, my 9 to 5 life is off the hinges. A challenge I'm still adjusting to. Finally, all of those things have felt extraordinarily burdensome while dealing with SAD. November through February is walking-dead season for me, with the exception of Christmas. Last year, I didn't decorate for the holiday until 2 weeks prior, which is not like me at all. That's how beat down I was feeling. Now, that Spring is officially here, I'm feeling more invigorated by the extended sunlight. This may explain why some of my new year posts happen in April. That's when I feel ALIVE, again, when I actually feel like the year is anew. Anyway, Spring has sprung and here I am to say, howdy!

Now, I don't have an inspirational word for 2025 as I've had for previous years and sitting here writing this blog post on a miserable Spring-shower filled day, I'm still drawing a blank. One was given to me a few months back on Instagram. There was a post with a bunch of words that flashed across the screen and you were supposed to do a screencap to capture a word. The word I happen to capture was "Catalyst". I was hoping for something more exciting like "Adventure", but I can confirm I've found myself being a catalyst for change in positive ways I hadn't imagined or even cared to be. The universe knew before I did and now I'm stepping into that role with gusto. But I also wanted a word that I chose for myself and still remain dumbfounded.

And then for the first time today, I saw the glow of sunshine fighting to make an appearance outside my window, hints of sunlight making the raindrops glisten. On my way back from the kitchen where I picked up a snack, I noticed the glow becoming brighter and the pouring rain dissipating. Then I saw the colors of a massive rainbow across the sky in the distance outside my balcony, with a second rainbow just faintly above it - a double-rainbow. Even at my big age, seeing a huge and vivid rainbow never fails to bring excitement as if witnessing it for the first time all over again. That's when it hit me. My word for 2025 will be HOPE. I will be hoping for all things good and positive in whatever I do and whatever rain or storms I'm faced with. Sometimes it's the only thing beyond faith to get one through darkness. I grabbed my phone and quickly took a photo to add to this post (below). You can sorta kinda see the second rainbow just above it. Did the universe just select this word for me, too? Maybe. It was definitely right on time!

Here's to a hopeful and healthy 2025 and being a catalyst for positive change (in my favor, of course)! 🥂

Blazer dress: JustFab

Bag and Belt: Citi Trends

Shoes: Shein

Fishnet tights: Temu