2024, I Am Grateful For You

2024 was a better year overall, following the passing of my mother the year before. It was also last year when I made the conscious decision to be patient, grateful and trust in God's perfect timing. The purpose of this year's Year End Reflection is to simply write about the things that I am most grateful for.

1. Family

- My family is nowhere perfect and we have our own misunderstandings and challenges, however I am most grateful for them for simply existing. My father who has been going through some medical issues, is as healthy as he can be- a reminder of the resilience that he and my mother has shown me. My brother is fulfilling his passion for helping his community- a proof that despite his strong character, he remains compassionate towards others. My sister-in-law who I owe so much to, remains the strong bond that keeps our family together. My strong minded niece, whose independence took me by surprise, is becoming a woman that I am incredibly proud of. My nephew is pursuing his chosen career and is gaining maturity in all the right ways. 

Additionally, J and I are doing great as well as his family. More than anything, I am grateful for my family's health and safety last year and I am praying for the same this year.

2. Friendships

- I am grateful for the genuine friendships I’ve maintained over the years. I feel truly blessed to have friends who make me feel valued and appreciated for who I am. These friends are my constants, and no matter how much life gets in the way, I always make time for them.

I am also grateful for the new friendships I’ve built this past year. I’m usually uneasy when my friends introduce me to their friends because I fear feeling out of place. But the new friends (Small and Rodney) I met last year felt like they were friends from a past life—the connection was instant, and it seemed as though I’d known them forever. 

2024 was also a year of reconnecting with old friends. My friend from New Zealand, whom I hadn’t seen since 2016, came to visit me, as did my university friend from San Francisco and my niece CJ, whom I hadn’t seen in years. I was also able to reunite with my other niece, Farrah, and our mutual friend, Mai.

3. Travel

- I was blessed to have travelled a few times last year when I didn't expect to- twice to Paris and Rome, then to the South of France. I was also able to go back to Florence and Siena, and finally visited San Gimigniano. J and I also fulfilled our yearly tradition of a road trip within the UK. I would say it was another year of unforgettable adventures and I am beyond grateful.

4. New Opportunity

- 2023 taught me to listen more intently to the universe and trust God and His plans. Professionally, I was at my lowest—so desperate that I even considered compromising my worth just to move forward. But one day in early 2024, I made a decision to let go and make peace with my situation.

So, instead of dwelling on what was missing, I chose to focus on the brighter side of things. I channeled my energy into positivity and began to see my purpose. I convinced myself that I was making a difference, even when it didn’t feel true at the time.

I stopped searching for jobs with urgency, until one day, while casually browsing Indeed, I stumbled upon an opportunity that would turn out to be the answer to my fervent prayers. I knew this job won’t be easy, but it’s the one I’ve always wanted—and I’m ready to do whatever it takes.

5. Instagram Collaborations
-  I’ve been on Instagram since its early days, initially using it as a platform to pen my thoughts and share my experiences with a small number of followers. It wasn’t until last year that I decided to take content creation more seriously and pursue it with intention. I’ve always known I had a bit of untapped creativity, so I thought I’d give it a shot and see where it could take me.

A few months later, I applied for an influencer program and reached out to a jewelry company—both attempts turned out to be successful. My love for food, which is evident on my profile, also led to collaborations with a few restaurants in London. It’s a good start, I suppose. So, here’s to more collaborations this year!

6. Instagram Community

- One of the things I am most grateful for is the community I have built and been a part of on Instagram. I never thought that I would connect with so many beautiful people from all over the world. I never imagined that these people would become my main supporters, my cheerleaders, and my most loyal viewers. I am so thankful I pursued my passion; otherwise, I would not have met these lovely human beings.

As I reflect on 2024, my heart is full of gratitude. Life is never perfect, but embracing patience, trust, and gratitude has made all the difference. I look forward to another year of growth, love, and cherished moments.

Tintin x