Birthday 2021

Two thousand and twenty-one… What a year it has been! I never expected to pass over two hundred followers before we hit my birthday, but I was surprised, just like how I did not expect the joy and interest received this year.

I am so thankful for each one of you and this birthday has felt magical. Instead of doing a year in review like last year, I will be telling you my best moments, accomplishments, joys, and favourites (all topics) between December of two thousand and twenty and November of two thousand and twenty-one. It was a crazy journey, that is for sure.

My best moments were a whirlwind of emotions. I had a great end to the year of two thousand and twenty and I could not wait for the new year to arrive. I enjoyed starting little challenges (some which I completed and others which I stopped) in January and learning more about my writing and creative energies. I got to talk and spend a lot of time with my friends and made some new friends too. Another interesting moment was the lockdown that felt endless, but it was surprisingly both good and bad. I enjoyed spending time at home, but it was getting a little tough not seeing my friends and other family members. I also participated in numerous activities that brought smiles and won some competitions with my friends as well. I explored other creative mediums and forms of expression which was such fun. I also brainstormed more poetry ideas and planned a few books that I cannot wait to start writing. Overall, those were my best moments, and I am so happy to have experienced them even in ridiculously tough times.

My accomplishments of this timeframe vary between a scale of being big and small. I managed to do exceptionally well in my schoolwork while balancing my hectic uploading schedule for the year. I also reassessed what was working and not working for me and removed quite a few things that were just taking up extra time. I enhanced my writing to the best it has been to date and read books that I love and cherish (more to discuss later). Another accomplishment that I am extremely proud of was learning how to prioritise and how to deal with stress effectively. I also experienced new things which are always something good and learnt more about my writing abilities. I made many friends this year, as mentioned above, and expanded my knowledge in random subject areas with my friends. All in all, I did well in my life, education, relationships, and much more.

The joys and highlights of this year were at the beginning and end of the timeframe. During December, January, and February, I had tons of fun with my family and friends. I also got to experience life as normally as we could, and it was a blessing. I loved getting ready for the school year of two thousand and twenty-one as well as sharing learning experiences with my friends in my classes. Towards October and November, I spent time with close ones and other special people in my life. It was so nice to see them after months of lockdown. We also explored and experienced more joys together as we were segregating in our cohorts during the breaks and managed to do a bunch of silly and crazy things. We shared many smiles and laughs as well as conversations and way too many boring things from our time at home. Hehe, everything was a perfect conversation topic after being stuck at home.

My favourites of the year range from a variety of things. I found new music which is now one of my all-time favourites to chill and work to as well as read many books that brought tears to my eyes or left an impact on my soul. These books were such a joy to read and only grew my love of historical fiction. I watched my favourite movies and shows throughout my time at home and discovered apps (old and new) that have a permanent place in my heart now. There were also favourite foods and drinks (non-alcoholic, of course) involved as well as games and traditions which I dearly missed. I also made some of my favourite memories with my friends and family.

This year has been so special and wonderful. I still cannot believe that I have such a beautiful and strong community that I love and cherish with all my heart. I have learnt to never take things for granted especially since May of two thousand and twenty-one. I am forever grateful for your continued support and engagement with my writing. I love doing this and I can never imagine not sharing my work in some way or form with others.

Thank you all for liking, commenting, reading, sharing, et cetera. It means the world to me, and I can never express my thanks to you. You have helped me become the writer I am today and thank you so much for sticking with me on my writing journey.

I love you all so much. May the rest of the year be epic.

So, why don’t you join me in my adventure?

Until next time, stay positive, work hard, and make it happen!

~Issy Juanita