This year I learned how to cornrow, distinguish how my laundry should be done correctly, and face my horrendous sleep schedule. But what did this year teach me about myself personally? Well, if you haven’t been able to tell, I’ve been focused on the external things rather than the internal. After acknowledging that this has been going on during this pandemic and possibly before it as well, I managed to learn how I can be more attentive when it comes to my inner self. We’ve all been affected by the pandemic somehow, which has been something out of our control. Fortunately, it has given us the opportunity to bring our attention to what we can control. 

Reading over The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz on how to destruct self-restricting narratives we’ve been accustomed to by our surroundings, with the usage of ancient Toltec knowledge discussed, has played a role in how I can gain an understanding of myself. Additionally, the amount of screen time I’ve devoted to myself has reflected on who I am as a person and how I see other people. For instance, when going on social media, be sure to use it with intention. Anything that isn’t true to ourselves, purposeful, and worth sharing, should simply not have our time. I bring this up to say: our smart devices are something we’re all hooked on. It’s okay to admit this. Doing so helps us to prevent social media from controlling us, including how much stress it can cause. Throughout this journey, I’ve downloaded the I Am app to send me notifications of positive affirmations throughout my day, validating my feelings and gathering up several playlists which consist of constructive lyrics instead of low frequency ones. Remember as you’re reading this, unclench your jaw, take a deep breath, drop your shoulders and note that your most valuable asset is your mindset.