The start of a new year always brings excitement, doesn’t it? There’s just something special about beginning another chapter. Fresh starts, new energy-it’s a great feeling. That renewal of hope and optimism all around? It's invigorating. This year, I’m especially excited about what’s ahead-and honestly, I have every reason to be.  

Settling into life in Philly has been a journey in itself. A whole new city, getting lost almost every day, and not knowing anyone or anywhere. My first quarter at Drexel? Amazing-I loved it. Of course, it took a while to adjust to a whole new educational system, but once I got the hang of it? It felt like a walk in the park!

If I’m being real, though, I wasn’t fully present here until late November. Mentally, I was caught somewhere between missing home (like, did I really just pack up and leave a life I’ve always known? My family? Friends? My comfort zone?) and trying to survive the whirlwind of grad school life. It was all happening so fast. Too fast.

One day in November, I just told myself, “This is it-this is your life now.” I finally accepted that, at least for the foreseeable future, this is my reality. And with that realization, I started to feel grounded. I had to decide to enjoy this new chapter or risk continuing to feel miserable and missing out on a wonderful experience.  

Now, with the new year here, I feel good. Like, really good. Hopeful, even. And not just in a vague, wishful-thinking kind of way-more like, “I’m ready to make this an incredible year” kind of way.

Which brings me to the whole “New Year, New Me” thing. You’ve heard it before, right? It’s everywhere-a season of reinvention, fresh starts, and big, shiny goals. And while I love the vibe, here’s the truth I’ve learned overtime: you don’t need January 1st to decide you want something different.

Change doesn’t care about the date on the calendar. It happens when you’re ready to commit to it, whether it’s the start of a new year or just a random Tuesday in April. Setting goals and pursuing them is less about timing and more about being honest with yourself. Too often, people get caught up in the hype, setting massive, dreamy, somewhat unrealistic resolutions (I’ve done it too, in the past), only to feel defeated by February. 

I feel like I’m in a good position to talk about transforming your life because I did exactly that in 2023. I changed my life when I realized I didn’t like where I was, and I couldn’t figure out my purpose. It was a tough realization, no cap but it was also the push I needed to take charge and create the life I wanted. Through prayer, reflection, determination, and action(the most important because without it the first three are useless), I found a path I wanted to take and began living with intention. I wrote a blog post about that transformation-what I cannot do does not exist-and it’s a reminder of just how far I’ve come.(feel free to read it after this). 

Anyways, this year, I’m trying something different: new year energy, same steady progress. Instead of focusing on huge resolutions, I’ll keep building on what I’ve already started. No pressure, no perfection. I’ll keep reminding myself, all year round, that progress doesn’t require dramatic changes-it requires consistency and small, intentional steps.  

Maybe that’s why I posted this blog on January 8th and not January 1st. 😂  Happy New Year from me!🥂

So here are my thoughts as we start 2025: Embrace the new year-but don’t always wait for January to start something amazing. In case you already feel behind concerning the goals you set, remeber that  growth, renewal, and change? They’re always on the table. The calendar doesn’t hold the power-you do. Turn a fresh page when you’re ready to put in the work. It’s not about the date; it’s about showing up for yourself, choosing growth over unattainable goals, and making it happen on your own terms.  

Cheers to a year of intentional growth, meaningful moments, and becoming better versions of ourselves-whenever we’re ready to create it.  

This year, I want to write more. Share my thoughts, experiences. Hopefully I'm able to-oh and I want to keep it short because I know people don't have long attention spans.  But I hope you enjoyed this read. 

8th January,2025