#14 INSIDE OUT

Return to self <-----

Pintrest image- fits my topic don’t you think?

I have had this title in my mind for the longest time. I have known what it would be about but not had the courage to write it.

There is this pressure to get yourself back after a traumatic or life-changing event. To act like nothing happened, bounce back, show the world you are okay, look pretty, make up, dress up, not let them see you down or let them know that they got you. I used to be on that bandwagon, I would make the outside feel pretty when inside was crumbling. I did it for years. Putting in effort on the external thinking it would help the internal. Sometimes this works, but the real thing is not being addressed. It is interesting how we care about how people perceive our resilience while we really are not being resilient.

Pintrest Image- It is okay to cry!

My truth is, it has been an incredibly stretching year. Good News! Good News! These trials have created one bougie chic on the inside, but on the outside I would love to say I do not look like half the things I have been through. I say half because if I looked like what I have been through, I would not be here right now, God covers! I do look like I have been roughed up, shaken up and beat down. It is hard to watch yourself deteriorate but great to accept that this is a stage that you must go through to unravel and find your new self. I have allowed life to life me into my authentic self. It has beat out any bit of settling out of my system. I am totally disgusted not dissatisfied disgusted at negative situations and circumstances. No tolerance for it. Not accepting it.

The events of 2025 have made me chase peace and I can now relate to that one quote, but I will rephrase it. If it cost me my peace, it’s too darn cheap. If you do not support my peace, add to it, encourage it? The doors is over there. Can you hear the wealth coming out of my mouth? I have really changed o. I am sure you can tell. And this change is really a 54321 countdown change because I am just discovering it as I write to you.

My word for you this year is this: no matter what this year threw at you, acknowledge it and make changes. Remove what drained you, find a strategy to get out of situations, habits, behaviours, and attitudes that do not align with your design. Be true to yourself or better still, use 2026 to find your true self. Do this with GOD. He is waiting for you to wake up like the prodigal son in the mud with the pigs to ask yourself, what am I doing here? He is waiting to walk you out, walk you through, and bring you out victorious. Each trial, storm leads you back to you.

Pintrest Image.. Make your body a new beautiful Home

This new year, address the issues, then change address (not literally). Deduct, realign, then add. There is time. Do not rush the process to prove anything to anyone. If 2026 is only the year you returned to yourself, then you have done the best thing. 2025 was that year for me. I recovered all of me. I may not physically look like it yet, but as far as the work inside has been done, the Glory of God will soon shine for all eyes to see. I am taking my time to work inside, out this time. You will see what the inside glow really does.

Happy New Year from me. Thank you for sticking it with me. I will always be as real as I can be. Someone out there can relate.

I love you.

House Girl O