Songs of Praise
This month’s post is a little delayed, for good reason. It’s the last month of the year, just days away from a new one. It’s also that time of year when we take stock of our goals: the ones we achieved, the ones we tried to achieve, and the ones we didn’t.
This reflection, however, is not a list of regrets, it is a song of praise. A conscious decision to honour survival, growth, and grace over perfection. Because even when the melody felt off-key, the year still deserves thanksgiving.
We often begin the year with lofty goals, but for some of us, life took a different turn. And if you’re a unicorn, perhaps you achieved and exceeded every single goal you set.
As we reflect on the year’s activities, it’s easy to adopt a gloomy lens, focusing on what we planned to do but didn’t while forgetting all that we overcame and achieved. For starters, you survived one of the hottest years on record and are likely navigating an intense winter shaped by climate change. You’re still standing amid trade tensions and tariffs that have driven up the cost of everyday essentials. You most likely avoided becoming a victim of the ever-increasing wave of online scams, among many other unseen battles.
So why dwell on your losses instead of your wins? After all,
“gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others”
So praise your Maker, and then yourself. Take stock of all you achieved. One of my favourite things my mum said to me this year was: if no one praises you, then you should praise yourself.
So I’ll go first.
This year, I survived pregnancy with very low haemoglobin and gestational diabetes while nurturing a toddler. I moved countries at 32 weeks pregnant with my dear little one and set up our home in a brand-new place.
In the midst of all that, I submitted my first academic research paper to a highly rated peer-reviewed journal, and it has since received a revise-and-resubmit.
I started this blog, which now has subscribers beyond my initial projections.
I also created my first e-guide on how to start a podcast alongside my co-host, Evergreen, and we made our first sale (if you’re interested, feel free to reach us at thenewbiesistas@gmail.com).
I secured a daycare spot for my child before we moved and survived our first season of daycare germs, including the worst cold sores I’ve ever had.
And then - because life loves a full-circle moment - I passed my driving test.
I also planned and styled my husband and little ones for our very first family photoshoot as a family of four.
Did you notice what I did there?
I didn’t focus on what I could have done better or what I didn’t achieve. I focused on what I did achieve, on the positives, not the could-have-would-have-should-haves.
So if you haven’t already, take stock of all you achieved: the challenges you overcame and the new things you dared to try. If no one praises you, praise yourself. In fact, go big! Toot your horn!! Who cares what anyone thinks?
You did that.
You achieved.
You existed.
And most importantly, you bloomed.
If you still feel shy saying it out loud, internalise it until it becomes your rhythm.
And remember: perfectionism is a myth, it doesn’t exist. When you feel like a failure, you behave like one. So embrace self-love, self-acknowledgement, and appreciation.
You’ve done more than you think.
As this year comes to a close, I hope you find a moment - however brief - to acknowledge yourself. Not for what you failed to do, but for what you endured, learned, and became.
If no one praises you, may you learn to praise yourself.
Until next year,
BE grateful. BE gentle. BE proud.
