Hello Renrenspeakers! Happy New Year’s Eve and Happy 3 year anniversary to Renrenspeaks.com staying alive and thriving! I cannot believe that the end of the year is here. Earlier today, my younger sister told me that today is especially unique because the date is 12/31/23, which is 123, 123, so enjoy that fun fact because we will never see it again!
Yesterday, I had a beautiful time of reflection with my college friend group as we shared some major goals, aspirations, and wishes that we accomplished this year and aim to achieve next year. Our time together allowed me sit down and ponder on the blessings, opportunities, celebrations, and renewal that graced me this year. I outlined my thoughts and reflections on my handy-dandy iPad, and some highlights from our reflective activity I concluded with included the following:
- One word to describe my 2023: Growth
- Favorite accomplishment this year: Finished my clinical rotations
- Favorite concert this year: Robert Glasper and Kirk Franklin’s Reunion tour
- How to engage in joy for 2024: Spontaneous trips
- One thing I am looking forward to adding to my self-care routine: An exercise class of some sort – a spin class or Pilates
One thing that really brought me joy this year is the amount of love and support from you all on Renrenspeaks.com! WordPress constructed my site’s version of a year in review, and look at how amazing these stats are down below! It is because of yall I continue to pour into my site and engage in meaningful, reflective conversations with you all. Making an Instagram for Renrenspeaks was an avenue for me to continue to expand my blog and reach so many people I haven’t connected with in a while. I got to collaborate with Black folks in health care for my Black is Beautiful series, participate in a podcast episode with the Banquet Hall Podcast, and feature inspiring world travelers and friends on my Travelers Abroad Speak mini blog series! These experiences all re-emphasize my love for amplifying beautiful voices via written form through a platform like this blog.
As the year wraps up, I am going to briefly share some of my personal fun highlights of the year!
2023 Highlights!
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They say a picture is worth a thousand words, right? So I gave yall a surplus of 6000 words. 😉 I have a lot to be grateful for this year as you can see. As grand as 2023 was, I believe 2024 is going to be the year of the come up for me, as I get to look forward to FINALLY GRADUATING from OT school (can you believe that?? That will be a whole post later down the road) and getting a real grown-girl job in a profession that I love! I am also claiming that I am going to take another trip abroad somewhere to revive my zeal for travel. I would also like to incorporate more fasting into my life, go to therapy, augment my physical health and nutrition, get back into photography, and become more financially literate. With that being said, God bless yall and I am so thankful for yall! I hope everyone has a marvelous start to their new year. Talk to yall next year! 🙂
Peace and love,
Irene
Renrenspeaks 