Over the weekend, my sister and I road-tripped out to Serenbe for Atlanta Soho House‘s annual Friendsgiving get-together 🖤 a beautiful outdoor setting, amazing food, meaningful conversations and new connections made for a special day out… and it reminded me to to take some time to reflect on 2019, be thankful, and set new intentions for 2020.
Working with fashion and lifestyle brands in a creative way has been the kind of job I could’ve only dreamed of, but sometimes the fast pace of our digital world and the ever-cyclical nature of fashion trends has me moving from project to project so quickly, without taking the time to sit back, breathe… and just be thankful. There’s so much more to each of us than the parts of us we share online — and at the end of the day, the things that equalize us all as humans are things that money cannot buy. So here we are; this is me, taking some time to reflect on 5 things I’m beyond thankful for this year:
one.
My parents are in town for their annual holiday visit from Nigeria, and I feel like I’m getting to a place in life where I really understand the value of family. I have 4 siblings, and we’ve always been close — but as we’ve all grown up, we’ve gotten even closer and I can really say that my family are the best friends I have in my life! I couldn’t be more thankful to have every single one of them around me today.
two.
I’m thankful for my health. Some of you may already know that I’m a cancer survivor, and even though my diagnosis and treatment is 8 years behind me, I will never forget how helpless I felt being unable to control what was happening with my own body. I don’t take any day for granted, and every year that goes by with a clean bill of health is one that I value over everything.
three.
I know it looks like my blog is just me, but trust me, it takes a village — and I’ve worked with some incredible people this year who’ve made everything possible! Connecting with mentors and co-collaborators to foster mutually beneficial relationships is what it takes to grow together, and this year has definitely taught me that. It’s been tough to change the way I operate and be more selective about the brands that I share my audience… but in the long run, it’s been worth it, and I feel that now more than ever, I feel like I can be myself because the team I work with empowers me to be just that!
four.
Along the lines of personal growth, I think that this year has given me a LOT in terms of my confidence in my own self. Once upon a time, I was so concerned with others’ opinions about me, I was constantly re-adapting myself to try to fit in, and I used to absolutely fall apart when a major relationship in my life ended. Maybe it’s me being in my 30s, maybe it’s the newfound responsibilities I’ve taken on as a business-owner… but these days, I seriously do not give a f***. I don’t chase fake friendships, I’m a lot better about speaking my mind, I’m happy to cut out people who don’t serve a positive purpose in my life, and I’ve stopped feeling the need to justify me being the truest form of myself. Not to be confused with being an asshole though… nobody likes those.
five.
I’m thankful to YOU. For reading this, for being here, for following along through every chapter of my story, and for being the force behind me waking up to do what I do every single day. Thank you, thank you, thank you! xx
what are you thankful for this year? ❤️
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