It’s a new year with a new blog look, but there’s no new Jamilah. The current Jamilah is new compared to the one who started 2021, but that’s because of a system upgrade. The same thing will happen this year, and all the changes that are made will be for the better.
So instead of “new year, new me,” it’s “new year, new upgrade” (but we’ll talk more about that on the podcast).
I can’t remember if I’ve said this in a previous (probably now private) writing, but I don’t do new year’s resolutions nor do I actively try to reinvent myself (but I will reinvent the blog in a heartbeat; we’ll blame Elementor for consistently coming out with new features and tutorials).
The best things I can do for myself at the start of the new year are give myself a word to focus on for the year and write a list of goals.
Last year, my word was “friendship,” and this year, my word is “control.” I want to hone in on the meaning of self-control, craft my own definition of control and what it looks like in my life, control things I know I have power over (like my thoughts & dramatic reactions), and let go of things I know I have no control over.
As for my goals, I could only come up with five. Life’s been pretty good recently, so these are goals that will only make it better.
Go from working 2 jobs to 1 good paying job with half-decent management
I’m starting the new year off working two jobs in retail, averaging 15 hours a day, and I am praying I don’t end the year this way. I work two jobs to fulfill all of my wants and needs, yet one paycheck from one job is dedicated to my rent. This year, I hope to get hired on at a job that pays me more than my current combined average of $1,300 every other week. Yes, I am grateful to be making what I’m making, but I want to have a job that allows me to have more time for myself and the ones I love. Towards the end of 2021, I found a good balance between working two jobs and hanging out with friends, but I still managed to neglect this blog & my passion projects. I genuinely believe working one job that isn’t retail will allow me to balance all three a lot better. At the end of the day, it comes down to wanting better balance.
Also, it comes down to wanting to be under good leadership. I’ve definitely had worse managers than the ones I have now, but it could definitely be a lot better. To make it through both jobs, I am never fully mentally present. Because things are completely awry at my full-time job, I halfway do everything and have kind of reached a point of just getting by. I want to find a job where I feel so well led that I desire to do my job at the best of my ability; that’s not where I’m at right now.
Go on more hikes & mini adventures with new & old friends
For the first time ever, I went on a hike with people last year who weren’t my best friend, and it wasn’t too bad. There were a few moments where I felt like I didn’t belong, but it was a much needed experience. I want more spontaneous hikes and mini adventures with the new friends I’ve made, but I also want to be completely random and fun with friends I’ve had in my life for years. This year, especially within these first six months, I hope to travel a little bit more, try more new things, and create the kind of memories that I will randomly laugh about in a doctor’s office one day (making it to a doctor’s office is another dream of mine, but we don’t have to get into it).
Say at least 2 sentences in fluent Spanish
This year, I hope to get back on my Skillshare grind, and one of the first courses I want to take revolves around learning Spanish. My homie for life speaks Spanish, and I want to go to her parents’ house and actually know what is being talked about. I literally make it through conversations by smiling and nodding.
Plus, Spanish is just a cool language. I took it in high school and had a good time. I’m not sure what language is considered the language of love (Latin? French?), but Spanish is definitely it for me.
Tell the people I love that I love them more
Last year, I got better with telling distant friends how much they mean to me and communicated better with them overall. This year, I need to do that with physically distant family members because though we know we love each other, it’s nice to hear it sometimes too.
Take my passion projects to new heights
I don’t know what this will look like, but I will recognize the moment it happens (and probably cry with joy).
These are my goals for the new year. Now excuse me while I work to make them happen.
