As the last Sunday of the year rolls in, I can't help but reminisce about what 2024 brought me.
I entered this year carrying emotional baggage from the previous two or three years. It was a season of deep emotional struggles. I felt so battered that I forgot who I used to be and what I was capable of doing. I even started praying to God, asking for my old self back; the creative, passionate, and goal-driven person I once was. Somewhere along the way, that version of me had disappeared amidst the crises I faced. I couldn't even take selfies because I looked horrible.
You might wonder what left me so emotionally drained. Well, let me say this: I am a "church girl." My life has always revolved more around church meetings and activities. But unexpectedly, some betrayals and strained relationships arose from the very place I held so dear, and it was heartbreaking. (That’s a story for another day.)
At the start of 2024, I felt aimless and purposeless. I was merely existing, counting the days until the year would end. But then God answered my prayers.
My family stood by me
I must mention that my family was fully aware of what I had gone through and how it had affected my productivity. It wasn’t just me praying to regain my old self; my parents and siblings were endlessly supplicating.
Despite my struggles, I kept up with my usual activities. I attended church services, went to work, and managed my business. But it was obvious I wasn’t making any progress, and that frustration began to show. I started snapping at anyone who crossed my path. That’s when I realized I needed to remedy the situation.
In late March, during my routine visit to my sister, she suggested I take a complete break from all my engagements and go back home. She emphasized that I shouldn’t return until I was certain my mental and emotional health had been restored. Thankfully, I had recently resigned from my teaching job, so I had all the time to commit to this.
Two weeks later, I traveled home. The plan was to stay for two weeks, but I ended up spending two months. I resolved not to leave until I felt completely whole again.
The Healing Journey
My parents fully supported my decision. They didn’t question the length of my stay because they also wanted me to overcome the pain and rebuild myself. They even included me in their midnight prayer sessions, which became a source of strength for me.
While at home, my birthday came around. I had wanted to travel before my birthday but I wasn't fully assured of my complete wellbeing. My parents took this opportunity to have a heart-to-heart talk with me. At midnight on my birthday, they sat me down, and for the first time, my dad told me to my face that I was intelligent. I was stunned but overjoyed. He went on to mention how I'd outdone myself in things he never thought I could do - I never thought he noticed.
I will never forget one particular statement he made: “You are the only child that took my brain completely, but you’re not utilizing it.” Hearing those words shifted something in me. I had always assumed my dad didn’t appreciate my efforts, but that midnight conversation marked the beginning of my turnaround.
Finding Purpose Again
Two weeks later, I left home, feeling fully recharged and ready to face life anew.
The rest of the year unfolded beautifully. The bad reviews and complaints in my business stopped. My creativity with fabrics returned, and I regained the trust of my customers. Even more importantly, I was able to study and pray again. I was again happy to take selfies 😂 😂
That two-month break led to an unplanned miracle, but I’ll share more about that in future posts.
If you ask me what 2024 meant to me, I’d say it was my year of realignment and restoration
Thanks for reading through ❤️