Adji Ngathe kebeAs the year comes to an end, I’m reviewing the year I’ve had. 2023 started out very stressful. January and February, we’re probably the worse months of the year for me. Seasonal depression had its foot on my neck. It was cold and dark and I felt it internally. Nothing felt right and I couldn’t jump out of my skin if I tried. I was stressed about my finances and career opportunities. As a teacher I was being harassed by my former administration and I really had no support besides other teachers. The harassment affected my mental health and my wellbeing. I was upset I entered the new year this way. I was terrified it would set the tone for the rest of the year to come.
At the first sign of Spring in March, I began to feel alive again. Much like the flowers, I too rose out of slumber. The darkness dissipated and I felt as if I could participate fully in society once more. I was still being harassed by my former administration, but the change in weather impacted my mood. I needed the sun on my skin to feel a semblance of normalcy. Sometimes I was moody because I hadn’t seen or felt the sun all day. By April life was getting better and easier. I celebrated my birthday with friends. I really leaned into my community. I never take for granted how loved and supported I’m. Whenever I need emotional support my fiends are there for me and I hope I continue to be that for them as well. I went to the Bronx Botanical Garden and enjoyed some nature. I realized nothing was good to be true and I can make the life I want and so can you. There were actions I took and certain choices I made, which made 2023 an overall good year.
The first thing I did was continue taking pottery classes. I have always loved pottery since I took my first ceramics class in middle school. It was part of the art class and we got to hand mold our own designs, paint it, and put it in a kiln. I loved every moment of it. As I got older, I wanted to try, but pottery is incredibly expensive. In 2022, I worked hard during summer school and used that money to purchase my first workshop. The workshop was for eight weeks. The class was challenging and I only made two pieces. They were wonky, uneven, and misshapen.
It look me forever to figure out how the wheel worked. I learned I was trying to force the clay to go my way instead of simply guiding the clay where it naturally wanted to go. I learned a huge lesson about life in those weeks. After the eight weeks I was not able to take a class again for a while. I came back this year in August and have been consistent since. I learned I was so used to being very head strong and trying to have my way in life. For the most part it has worked, however, I didn’t realize I was at a point in my life in which that manner of achieving didn’t align with who I was anymore. Instead of forcing things I needed to let the events unfold in my life, while guiding where I put my energy towards. These following steps changed my life for the better in 2023. I have no doubt in my mind 2024 will be better. These are some ways you can change your life in 2024 for the better.
- Try something you have always wanted to this year. It can be rock climbing, dancing, cooking. It can be a new job or traveling. What’s something you have always wanted to do? How much money do you need for it? Put the money aside and do this for you this year. It will change how you see yourself and what you think is possible in your life.
- Persevere. When I first started pottery, I didn’t know what I was doing. I made many mistakes. I didn’t know how to center or lift the clay. Every piece I made was off center, bottom heavy, and thin at the top. I have been doing pottery consistently for five months now. I’m very much still a beginner, but I know how to center. I’m still learning to lift the clay, but I’ve come such a long way. The only way out is through. You have to persevere in life. Keep going and keep trying your best. It is always worth it.
- Find your community. There is a loneliness epidemic in America and more than ever we need community. Go out of your way to meet people. A great way to meet people is through trying the things you’ve always wanted to, but been afraid of. Challenge yourself! Go to places. Put yourself out there and meet people. You need people in your life and people need you.
- Put all your energy into your passions. Now that you have tried that cooking class, dancing, or painting, met new people and built relationships– It’s tempting to half-ass things. More than ever you need to sink your teeth in and put all your energy and efforts into these things. Life gets in the way and things get harder, but keep going. Rest when you need to so you can recuperate your energy. Then get up and keep putting your all into it.
I will be trying these four steps all year round. My number one goal is to keep putting myself out there by trying new things and meeting people. I’m determined to use this space and this blog to create the life I want. I know it’s possible. I just have to do the work. Do it with me. Next time this year, we’ll marvel at all the ways we changed our life for the better. One step at a time.
