I’m Still Here (And That Counts).

Held by God, held by love.

Let’s talk about this year.

‎This year started so plain—almost bland—for me. No big announcements, just me and the weight I carried in from the year before. The previous year took from me, and I came into this one learning how to live with loss and its quiet, overwhelming guilt and still keep moving. That alone probably dictated my energy for most of the year. It explains the quiet. It explains why I didn’t write as much. It explains why I didn't actively do the things I loved. Sorryyy, my friend.

‎I knew, deep down, that I couldn’t stay that way forever. I had to move forward. But truthfully, I didn’t have strength for everything. The little energy I had went into worrying, overthinking, and preparing for the professional exam I had to write. I just wanted to survive, Read (even if it wasn't so much). Study. Worry. Repeat. And somehow, that pulled me even farther away from you.

‎I think I’ve explained myself enough now. I hope you forgive me.

‎I don’t have much to say beyond giving you the tea about my year, so I’mma keep my ting brief and tell you about the things that mattered to me the most:

‎1. ME

‎Nothing dramatic happened to me this year, but a lot still happened. Quietly, internally, slowly. And overall, I’m grateful. I experienced life. I learned more than I expected to. I saw the world from different perspectives, found myself more grounded in my ideologies, and allowed myself to grow without rushing the process.

‎I met and spoke to more people. I became less shy—still shy, but less. I discovered new hobbies, including content creation (even though I haven’t fully started sharing like I want to). I took pictures and made videos more, so do not be surprised if I’m ready to take a lot of pictures when we see, because I have learned to always live in the moment and have evidences of them (from “the lessons loss left me”). I went to church, danced more and I enjoyed it a lot. I basked in God’s love, I dropped habits I didn’t want anymore and became more intentional with myself.

‎This year wasn’t about becoming someone new. It was about becoming more me. And honestly, I’m glad I allowed that.

‎2. RELATIONSHIPS

‎I can cry now. Like, actually cry.

‎This year opened me up to people in ways I didn’t expect or even plan for. I’m grateful for my family, my friends, and everyone around me. I received support in ways that still surprise me, (cash and kind (⁠•⁠‿⁠•⁠)). People believed in me more than I believed in myself. When doubt crept in, and it did, many times…my people showed up. Sometimes loudly, sometimes quietly, but they showed up.

‎They took fear from my mind and replaced it with love. Real love. Safe love. The kind that reassures you without asking you to earn it.

‎I experienced genuine love this year: the type that makes you pause and ask yourself, “What did I do to deserve this?” I also said my “I love yous” out loud, without overthinking or holding back.

‎But this year also taught me something important: to always know my place in people’s lives. To love deeply, yes but not to overextend myself or assign myself too much importance unless it has been clearly stated. Love and boundaries can exist together, and I learned that the healthy way.

‎So yes, it was a year of love. And a year of realization.

‎3. ACHIEVEMENTS

‎My pinned post on X says, “I am an Achiever, and there’s no limit to what I can achieve.”

I also wrote it on a sticky note and placed it inside my wardrobe, just so I see it every morning. That sentence became one of my mantras this year. And honestly? It worked.

‎I wrote down nine things this year and achieved five. They may not look huge to anyone else, but if you know me, you know I celebrate every single win, big or small. Growth is growth. Progress is progress.

‎I don’t have a cake right now, but let me follow the trend and say:

‎Hi, my name is Glory, and I:

‎• Passed my professional exam and became a Registered Nurse this year (still feels unreal sometimes).

‎• Finally launched my crochet brand after postponing it for so long. That was the most spontaneous thing I did this year. I had prepared the flyers months back, but I didn't share them because I wasn’t so sure. The day I did, I just DID. I don't know if you get me.

figured this flyer out myself shaa.

• Became AUSA( My school’s students’ association) PRESS President. Call me woman in media. Haha.

‎• Learned how to speak confidently in front of a gathering of people.

‎• Got recognized for my leadership skills in my book club.

‎• Became a supervising lead in my department’s editorial unit

‎• Got satisfactory grades and became a final-year student

‎• Enjoyed the love of God in ways that steadied me

‎…to mention a few.

‎I’m genuinely grateful. Grateful for strength, for grace, for consistency, for becoming.

‎For next year, I want more; not in a greedy way, but in a living way. I want to experience more. I want to get better at my craft. I want to read more, write more, create more, go out. I want to pick up forgotten hobbies, love harder, eat more good food, laugh louder, rest better. I just want to live, fully and intentionally.

‎And I want you with me next year.

‎So stay with me, my friend. Let’s have all the fun, the growth, the chaos, the quiet wins.

‎Have a beautiful 2026, and enjoy yourself as much as I plan to, or even more.

‎Ciao.

‎If you want even more chaos, more softness, or more edge, say the word.

‎We’re locked in now.

‎