Sana this is the beginning of the new year—the year 2025. And to me, this is the beginning of a new life, a second chance at life.

I think it’s important that we know that everyday, every year and even every minute really, can be an accurate time to start over. For instance, if you didn’t achieve some or most of your goals last year, it’s still the perfect time to start over and try again. You have not saved the x amount of money that you hoped to save. It’s okay, don’t beat yourself up. Try again. This applies in every situation, it is always the right time to reboot and start afresh. In 2025, these are the new habits that I’m trying to integrate to be kinder to myself:

Firstly, I’m unlearning perfectionism. I am teaching myself that it is very much normal and okay to be not get it right on first attempt. I used to beat myself up for not getting a lot of the things right the first time. Especially when those things were said to be easy. Like having to apply some of the academic things to practicality like other students. I wasn’t born an academic, I’m am striving to be one. So I have to give myself grace to take it slow, absorb it til it makes sense then take it from there.

Secondly, I am learning to not only be kind to myself but others. There’s a lot that people are carrying and going through that we don’t know. It is important to be kind to everyone including our moms. We sometimes take for granted the extra mile that our moms take for us. As hormonal teenagers and young adults, we are rude to our moms. We are somewhat entitled too. It’s like our way or no way sometimes and of which is not cool at all. We must ditch the “entitled” mentality and start appreciating our moms. Say to her “hey are you okay?”, “I’m so blessed to have a mom like you” and “you are so beautiful”. It seems like just words to us but to them, it means a whole lot! We must show appreciation and love to them. We must remember that it’s their first time living too.

Lastly I’m defining this new chapter of my life. I’m focusing on what works for me. I’m focusing on taking small steps that will make me reach the goal that I set out. I’m creating a life that is for me, free from comparison to other people and free from pressure. In all of that, I will celebrate big and small wins. Every victory, no matter how small, deserves a celebration. It's in those small triumphs that we find the fuel to reach for bigger dreams.

Keep that oil burning inside of you. Go at your pace and let the light in your shine! Go start over! Lots of love! I don’t wanna say “good luck” I’m saying congratulations because you got this! :)

by Boipelo Sematu