We have crossed over into 2023. **inhale**……..**exhale**

Typically at the top of a new year, we expect January through March to go by really fast. However, last year it felt like every month sped up on me. I read somewhere that the earth was spinning faster than usual so maybe that’s why. Anyways, thank God we made it to 2023. I accomplished a few things in 2022 and I have so much to reflect on. Many highs and some lows but mostly gratitude through it all. Let’s dive into this recap.

2022 in Review

I graduated……

After three long years of doing school part-time, your girl finished her Master’s Degree in Urban Planning & Policy. This journey was difficult but I finished it. It was hard. I did half the program online during the pandemic so talk about being zoomed out. I have already begun my endeavors in this new field. I worked on some awesome projects last spring and summer that really left me feeling fulfilled and aligned with my purpose. I am so eager to go after more opportunities in 2023.

I bought a Home………

I am a homeowner now chile. Well, I technically don’t own it yet but I BOUGHT IT so it’s MINE. I am so grateful that God allowed me to buy a home on the beloved south side of Chicago. This journey required a lot of saving, research, and faith. I LOVE my home and the neighborhood that I live in. God gave me everything I asked for and more. I encourage anyone searching for a home to not be intimated by this market. Make your request known to the Lord. When you have favor with God, he will give you favor with man. This competitive market was no match against my GOD. I will share my journey more in a future blog post on how I will tackle this mortgage.

I got a puppy……

Can you believe it? I am a fur mama now. I adopted a 10-week-old labradoodle on 12/03/22, and I named him Brownie We’Love Moore. I wanted a dog for a really long time and I am so glad that I got one in this particular season. If I had gotten Brownie any sooner than I did, that pup would not have survived my busy life. Brownie is a great puppy so far and has brought a lot of joy to our home. He loves to play, is very smart, easy to train, is friendly, and loves his mama (ME). Puppies are a lot of work but I welcomed the challenge because this was the only way that I could have a baby without having a baby……..just kidding…a little……. LOL

I recovered……

After graduating and buying a home in May, I went into recovery mode. I spent the summer moving slowly, getting settled in my home, enjoying my family and friends, healing from the previous season, and just resting. I didn’t put any pressure on myself to jump into something new. I needed to recover mentally and be recharged. It was everything I needed.

Another important life update to share is that I ended a relationship over the summer. I started the year cuffed up and ended it single. If you care to know, I am OKAY. I am sharing this because I want people to know that I am a real person. I have low moments in my life as well. I want to normalize not having a “picture perfect” platform where I only share the highlights. I’m obviously not going to share every detail but I do hope to share my journey of singlehood one day. It’s actually beautiful and I am watching it unfold.

I thank God for my journey. It’s not all fairytales like I want it to be. I’m choosing to redeem the value from that season and move forward as a better person; not bitter. I look forward to continuing to grow in my singleness and opening my heart to meet my person in God’s timing. #BetterNotBitter

Happy New Year!

I hope that you spent the last couple of days of 2022 resting and reflecting on the year. I am not putting any pressure on myself just yet. I am still in reflecting mode and I love it here. With that being said, I am easing into the new year.

P.S. It’s my Bloggaversary!!

My 2-year Bloggerversary passed on December 21, 2022. I remember preparing to launch my blog by doing a bomb photoshoot and writing a list of all the topics I wanted to cover. Between school, working multiple jobs, and life just life-ing, I was writing for everyone else except my blog. In 2023, I owe it to myself to be consistent in blogging.

My Blog is my space for creativity. This is my outlet. I started this blog to encourage, educate, and inspire people. This is my safe space. With this blog, I desire to build an online community to invite into the space as well. In 2023, I not picking up too many new goals. I am finishing what I started.

Sincerely,

Chelsa