IT'S A DOUBLE CELEBRATION 🎉🎉🎂

Tomorrow is my 31st birthday, and I have great plans to celebrate! I deserve it! Who wouldn't rejoice after obtaining a degree despite all odds? It's a double celebration, and I want to thank everyone who helped make it happen.😊😍

 Kwadwo Asante, I'll be eternally grateful for everything; you met me at my lowest point and changed my entire life. I'm not sure what I did to deserve every sacrifice you made for me. You noticed me beyond my stunning face and fine legs😜. I am who I am now because of you; thank you for making my aspirations a reality, loving me through good and terrible times, and, most importantly, allowing me to spend your money😜

This year has been tremendously difficult; I lost practically everything I've worked hard for, and to top it all off, on December 4th, 2021, I was in an accident that nearly cost me my legs. I was bedridden for two months five months ago, and it took the intervention of God and doctors to get me back on my feet; thank you, Doctor Nortey at Euracare. 🙏 

Accident on December 4th 2021

It's been a difficult year, but I'm still here, healthy, happy, and fulfilled. Despite the difficulties, I have much to be thankful for, and I'd want to share the 10 commandments I've compiled to commemorate this Milestone.

001: Self comes first.

I recently discovered that I've spent much too much time being critical of myself. And, to be honest, it's the most self-defeating thing I've ever done. I've been taking better care of myself (mentally and physically) over the last month, and I've noticed a significant improvement in my capacity to complete chores. I would have started taking care of myself a long time ago if I had realized that doing so would allow me to do everything I wanted to do. Putting myself first means eliminating tasks, people, food, financial belongings, and energy that do not benefit me. It truly is a game changer.

002: All spare time must be used productively.

I'm not suggesting I'll devote every waking moment to work. But what I mean is that I need to make better use of my free time. When I'm finished with my relaxation, I should feel refreshed and ready to tackle whatever tasks remain. What isn't productive downtime for me? Social media, hours of internet reading, texting, or watching TV. What has proven to be incredibly productive downtime for me on multiple occasions? I enjoy reading a book (not on my phone), spending time with my family, and working out.

003: Keep in mind that everyone is lying to you.

This commandment seems more sinister than it is. It's not that I believe a large number of people are intentionally attempting to fool me. People often give bad advise whether they plan to or not since they do not have your best interests at heart. I say this as someone who NEVER asks for opinions on what I should do or for advise that would guide a life decision. In that regard, I'm crazily self-sufficient. But that doesn't mean people don't have an opinion about my decisions. And what someone else thinks is best for me is a lie because I know in my heart EXACTLY what is best for me.

004: Expel the type of energy that keeps you safe.

I wrote a little about how people sometimes make me feel crazy when I reassured you that you're destined to be here. But it's something I have trouble remembering myself. That's why I need to send forth energy that advises others to stop being anxious and thinking negatively. I need to establish a protective bubble with my thoughts, actions, and words so that the self-doubt sowed by others does not take root.

005: Contingency preparations are for individuals who expect to lose.

Plan B is a birth control strategy. It's not a means to imagine the future. No more of my efforts should be spent on contingencies. It's full steam ahead for the finish line.

006: You must perform things in order for them to be completed.

I believe it is quite easy for me to say I'll do things later. I know that later translates to never, whether it's doing the dishes, putting my shoes away when I get home, or working on a novel. So, in order for those tasks to get done, I simply have to do them. I'm going to have to force myself to go to the sink and scrub the pots and pans. I had to walk the extra 20 or so steps to my closet to throw my shoes on the floor. Every day, I have to set out an hour to sit down and write. Because doing things is the only way to get them done.

007: Be frugal with your time and money.

Neither of them are endless resources, and the more of each I have, the easier it is for me to sleep at night. I've previously written about the significance of saying no, and it's a constant exercise for me. Now I only need to apply the same level of self-control to avoiding spending money, and I'll be fine.

008: You're too darn old to spout nonsense.

I believe this one is self-explanatory. For far too long, gossip was my love language. No more.

009: Don't make hasty decisions.

Anxiety is like having a jealous best friend in middle school. It is your friend who causes you to reconsider your beliefs. It is your friend who tells you that you are not good enough. It is your friend who causes you to have so many regrets. It's not really a buddy, but, like that girl you knew in middle school, you can't seem to shake anxiety. But I know when my anxiety is causing me to make a poor judgment. It's usually a decision about spending money or eating junk food, but it's pushed me to some very bad extremes.

010: Be Relentless 

Everything takes time, and setting deadlines for oneself is a waste of time. Far too many of my artistic pals say things like, "I think I'm going to quit if it doesn't work out this time." That, in my opinion, is not fair. All I can do is work nonstop. I can't force others to see what I do as marketable and so pay me for it. All I can do is keep going. All I can do is sit down and work every day. All I can do is keep going up this hill. I can only do what I can.

My 2022 Goal - Set Boundaries & Say No more often👍🏾

Happy Birthday to Me!!!