Greetings Everyone,
I know I am late, but welcome to 2023. Thank you all for the love and support you have shown me so far. It is greatly appreciated. You will never understand the extent of gratitude I have. I hope you are all doing well and having a great year so far. It has been some time since I did a blog post, but life happens. 2022 was a rough year for me personally. I know so many people struggled as well. Let’s make 2023 the best year possible.
As for me, my 2023 has been great so for me so far. I started a new job, which I love. I have never personally adjusted so fast to a job before. I am thankful for the experiences I had which propelled me to reach this position. I have grown a lot as a person. I am more vocal and able to articulate my thoughts and feelings better. I am still enrolled in therapy. I am happy to report that I am closer to working through my issues. I am not dwelling on many of my challenges as much as I did.
I am working on becoming debt free. The raise in salary helps immensely. I am also learning how to be more fiscally responsible by budgeting. I spend so much time making Google sheets and other databases for various functions, including budgeting, which helps. I try to be more conscious of what I am spending money on. I try to only buy what I need. I am also learning to take inventory of the products which I already have. It is a work in progress. Baby steps my friends.
Not only that, I am trying to live a healthier lifestyle. I am more aware of what I am eating. I have greatly reduced my portion intake. I have cut back on sugars, salts, and other fatty foods. I am happy to say that I am starting to lose weight. Because I commute to my job, I also walk more. I am trying to get better doing exercising. I am forcing myself to stop and take more breaks. I have improved on going to bed at a reasonable hour, especially on days when I have to go into the office. I also prepare more the night before. This includes packing healthy lunches. It helps decrease my stress.
While things are improving for me, there are still some things that are lacking. I am ready to date. It has been 7 years since I have been in a relationship. You have to remember: I am always friend-zoned. I am introverted and socially awkward. I try dating, but let’s be honest, dating sucks. The men I usually meet are low quality. Don’t get me wrong, I know a lot of great guys. There is one I would date if the opportunity presented itself. That is a long, drawn-out story… and a situation I am ready to give up on. I believe what is meant to be will happen. I am in no rush for a relationship. I am hopeful that love will eventually find me. I bring a lot to the table. I also know who I am. A different friend and I were discussing this very topic today.
My family remains very important to me. I am one of the most family-oriented people I know. I always had a caregiving spirit. I’ve always been a nurturer. Now that both of my parents are elderly, I spend a lot of time ensuring they are good. I sacrifice for everyone. Part of my healing is to cut back on caregiving by focusing more on myself. While I have come a long way, more progress is needed. My therapist recommends that I become more self-protective. It is time and he is right. No one really sacrifices for me, which makes me sad. No matter what happens, my conscience is clear. I know in my heart I do right by people, even though it is rarely reciprocated.
At this stage of my life, I try to be the best version of myself I can be. Each day, I am evolving. I am stronger now than I have ever been. I have a level of confidence now that I never had. I no longer tolerate or accept disrespect. I am proud of the woman I have become. I am at a good place in my life. I try to use some o the lessons I learned through trial and error to teach and empower my niece. I see so much of myself in her, which scares me. I am grateful we are close. She is probably the closest I will have to a daughter. I treat her as such. I try to be for her what I wish I had. Maybe I would have been better off.
I will close here and leave you with this: do the best you can. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Thrive and evolve. Do great things in 2023. Be blessed. I love you all.
❤ Raynne Elise ❤
Discovery Journey 