Naomi AbrahamsJanuary 01, 2018

A new Year. A Better Me

Naomi AbrahamsJanuary 01, 2018

This piece is for reflection. Mainly because the only time you should really look back is to see how far you have come. After reminiscing on 2017 there were a great number of ups and downs. Most of my highpoints can be attributed to my YouTube channel. In a year, I have gained 3,000 subscribers and reached over 100,000 views on my videos. I have had the opportunity to work with multiple brands that have helped me understand branding and business marketing. Not to mention, I landed my first internship being able to build social media pages for a company and indulge in my creative content ability further.

But then there were the lows. A big chunk of this year my focus was shifted. The topic of lunchtime was slowly drifting from my passion projects I was working on to a significant amount of problems that I got caught up dealing with at the time. I posted #Don’tGetCaughtUp and many of my friends and followers seemed to resonate with the phrase. I guess we probably all got caught up in the mess 2017 was creating.

I don’t want 2018 to be my selfish year. But it’s going to be a year I must begin to focus on myself and simply go for it. If it’s mine, if I want it, if I know it’s for me I’m going to have to get it by any means necessary.

This will be a year of adjustments. Adjusting how I deal with situations and people. Many people I came into 2017 with or met in 2017 are not going to be joining me on this path to success in 2018. And I have already cried and said my imaginary 'goodbyes'. But you know some individuals felt that they had a free pass to come in and out of my life. Reaching out when they wanted and when it was convenient for them. Too many times I put forth effort that wasn't being reciprocated. Too many people had reserved a place in my life because I valued them for who I wanted them to be or their potential rather than seeing them for who they truly are. This is not the year for continuous compromise or "sticking it out". I had to learn when people’s roles in my life were over and they no longer served a purpose. Nevertheless, I know I made great memories with many, shared laughs and all in all good conversation.

This will be a year of accomplishments. My tears are not free anymore. All the work and emotion I put into what I feel strongly about will pay off. I am through feeling below par or feeling like my work isn’t good enough. I will take advantage of the resources I have at Temple. Network. Brand Myself. Travel outside of my box to show others what I am truly capable of. And of course, I don’t expect this to happen with a snap of my fingers or a click of my heels. It will take time and patience. I block my own blessings often by announcing things prematurely, so this will be something I will work on in the new year to come. I will work intently and let the work I produce in 2018 speak for itself. Starting with this. My very own website. I pray that God is ready to help and guide me. Hello 2018. It’s time for a new year and a better me.

Goals for 2018