2025

Rebirth, renewal, and change are what the year of the snake symbolizes in the Chinese zodiac. Without even realizing what the upcoming year would be defined as, I found myself in the last few months of 2024 preparing for the transformation. There were things I reflected on that I knew I wanted to be different. Not different in a “New Year’s Resolution” type of way. I have found that when I make resolutions, they tend to feel short-lived and tied to the initial fresh feeling of a new year. A few weeks in, I usually move on, convincing myself that I will come back to the resolution at another time. It is easy to move on from something that I do not necessarily believe will make a huge impact on my life. This year, I want to be intentional about the goals I want to reach for myself and stay committed to making them a lifestyle, not just a passing moment.

I was reminded by an Instagram post that the little things add up. The little changes you make, little by little, add up to big differences in your life. The older I get, the more life teaches me about the importance of patience. This has always been something I find myself grappling with. The concept of time and how I perceive it versus how others do in their own lives. In the process of gaining discipline to see results in what you are working towards, the time it takes can feel like forever. I blame social media for the constant short bursts of dopamine that have taken away the beauty of delayed gratification in many ways. I am actively working on finding joy in the small things that help us reach our goals so that the goals do not feel daunting and unachievable.

To hold myself accountable towards my goals every day means that I will not settle for people who do not hold themselves accountable when it comes to me. To be intentional, patient, and kind to myself, I should expect no less from the people I surround myself with. I am determined to walk in my truth and nothing less, so I will not be defined by the projections of others. The more confidence I gain from consistently showing up for myself allows me to move with more purpose. Every lesson I dread, I still show up despite my uncertainty. Every class I feel too sore to attend again, I still show up despite my thoughts of giving up. Every note I play that sounds off, I still show up despite my need for perfection. I show up despite the embarrassment, the discomfort, the pain, and the unknown because I love myself enough to be committed to my greatness.

I am in awe of her. Even when no one else understands, she amazes me. Every single day, I feel high off the feeling of doing everything I said I would do. I am reminded that I am forever a student in this life. I am patient as I practice patience and delayed gratification. I stay out of the way and in my lane, she is blooming. Even when no one else understands, I feel safe with her. I feel safe in her emotions, standing firm in her beliefs. It has always been my job to protect her. I am committed to getting back to her. The real her. Not who people think she is or who they want her to be. Not the idea of her or the version they used to know. She is enough. She has always been enough. I commit myself to my goals so she can live her truth the way she has always wanted.

Every year feels like a new life is beginning. As someone who often reflects, I see the many versions of myself that have existed as past lives of a person trying to figure out life. Not that I have it all figured out now. I have just learned to cherish my past lives and strive every day to be better. This new version of myself has never existed before, and I am thankful for her rebirth. I am thankful to feel renewed and have more clarity about the path I want my life to take. I am thankful for the new people I will meet and for those who will no longer be on my journey. I am thankful for the lessons I will learn because I am forever a student. I am thankful for the many changes in life because they keep me on my toes. I look forward to a year full of growth and living authentically. Despite all the daily reminders of the madness in the world and the dangers posed by those who are supposed to protect us, I will continue to show up with open eyes, ears, arms and humility. For me, for her, for them, and for you.

As always, till next time with love. RidethaVibe with Dee ❤️