2023 a review

 Hi journal!

 We only meet up a couple of times a year, but I still value this space to let go of some of the ponderings of a Sabrina:)

2023 What a year!! It was a lot of private and personal things but it was all an adventure and a learning process. So I think I'll just get right into it.

1. 2023 was difficult with timing. Since I met my husband, we have schedules that did not match. Night shifts, or early morning shifts, weekends etc. It was just a part of that season of his life. I'm a pretty independent person and overall I was able to adapt and adjust. But it does start to wear on you after a time, and so around March I put a nightly reminder on my phone to pray and ask God to bring the right opportunities that would align our schedules better. As we approached September, some nights I had given up hope it was going to happen, but God is always faithful in his timing. Stephen has a new job, much better hours and it made for a less hurried Thanksgiving and Christmas. I am so very grateful!

2. 2023 was my rediscovering Taylor Swift era. Yes, at 38 I am back on the Taylor Swift bandwagon. Not a super fan but as I have enjoyed the Eras tour movie, I have found she is spot on with her lyrics about the eras of being a girl/woman (at least for me). It's this puzzle of being honest about our feelings, allowing ourselves to be happy, bubbly, and giddy, and not giving up on love (family, friendships, relationships etc). So currently on my repeat list are Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince, Enchanted, Tears Ricochet, 22 and Vigilante Sh**. 

3. 2023 was recognition at work and milestones. This summer marked 5 years that I have worked at TCC. It feels fast yet full of learning. I'm still so grateful for the season and decisions that bought me to TCC. It has been a great fit for me! I have high hopes for my future there and I just cherish the people, the opportunities and what the future could bring. My hope is that I can continue to provide for students and be a knowledgeable and kind educator and leader. I am continuing to grow and stretch but that is a good thing, on most days lol.

4. 2023 was finding balance in all things. So in general, I am the one who does the most. I call my friends first. I plan the things, I organize the events etc. But this year I tried to find balance before I burned myself out. I learned that quiet moments of reflection are perfection. I was reminded that as adults the minute you take a financial win, a financial loss is coming around the bend. Everytime! Looking at you pay increase, followed by burst pipe, owning taxes and husband's car troubles. I was reminded constantly that friends and family all go through stuff and you just have to "let them alone" (as they say in the country). The constant people have stayed and the inconsistent have floated on and the best part is I didn't take it personally this year. People are just doing the best that they can.

So yeah, as you can see, 2023 was a year! I don't have a 2024 preview this year. 2024 is going to do whatever it wants to do lol:) 

For 13 years  I have closed the same way, so here we go! May 2024 be a year of blossoming and blessings! 

Now with all of that said I will say this.....2024 is a completely unknown entity. Sure, I know some things but they are so tiny compared to what I have no idea about. The key is to hold fast to God, have faith and grace, love my family and friends, and be the very best Sabrina Stewart Melvin that I can be.....that should not be too hard ( I am kidding) it will probably take me 365 days to kind of get it right!