January 2024: Fresh Water from the Tap
The new year always signifies new beginnings. Like fresh water from the tap. The smell of rain and earth. Newness. A clean state. A fresh start. And as the year comes with that identity, so does January. The month is known to be very long, even though year after year, it is still 31 days. Nothing more, nothing more. Just 31 days. But why does it always feel like more? This year was no different. January was a whole year! So safe to say Happy 2024B!
I started January feeling lethargic. But as the month progressed and life in its newness and oldness continued to happen around me, I realised that every day is whatever I make of it. Either slow or fast, every day is new. Every day is like fresh water from a tap. Every day is a new slate to do, to be, or not to be or do. So, with that necessary motivational grounding, I slowly gave myself into doing and being. And even when it still felt like a whole year was happening in a month, I allowed myself to direct the pace of the movement. And here I am, reflecting on the month that didn’t mind staying on forever.
Liberation Alliance Africa (LAA) turned One! What a ride! What a journey! LAA is a testament to the fact that when people of like minds come together to dream and create, they can make magic or do creative and exciting things. We held a solidarity session on our Instagram page to reflect on our work and celebrate our courage to share our dreams to the world.
On a random Friday afternoon, I shared a post about a book I read in November 2023 on my Instagram page. And I had the idea to share it on my LinkedIn page. You see, I read several books in 2023 and shared my thoughts on my Instagram, and my head was spinning with the idea of improving them on LinkedIn and using the newsletter feature. Within the next hour, I created the newsletter named #BooksAndFeminism. I designed the flier on Canva within the same hour because LinkedIn asked for a picture, and I wanted to add a brand touch to it. I will probably (definitely) redesign the flier at a later date.
I went to the gym for about ten days or less throughout January. My body was so reluctant to stretch on that level. But I am glad I put that girl to some work, albeit short.
I got invited to a roundtable women’s event happening in my city. I will talk more about this in March after the event. But what struck me here was that the person who invited me met me once in Colombia, read a report I had co-written, and connected on LinkedIn (I need to take that platform more seriously!)
My sister graduated! Yes, yes, yes! I am so proud of her. She graduated with her Master’s programme in Global Public Health from De Montfort University. She’s put all of herself into this programme, and celebrating with her (virtually) was so joyful!
Streaksssss: in the spirit of newness and having a clean slate, I started learning French on Duolingo, praying daily with my Bible App, and journaling. Well, I can tell you for a win that I completed 30 days (missed a day) on Duolingo, 31 days on Bible App, and 20 days of journaling! Oui, tres bien!
What I listened to — Welcome to My Joy by Koli, was the music I needed to carry me through the dull and long month.
Affirmation: Exodus 14:14 — The Lord will fight my battles, and I will hold my peace. This promise reminded me that the peace I have is not the absence of chaos and uncertainties but the presence of God in the battleground. My Lord is here, and He is fighting for me.
Book: I read Orchestra of Minorities by Chigozie Obioma (still reading it). I will talk more about it when I complete the reading.
Cheers to me for living through the first month of 2024! Tell me your January highlights in the comments section.
