The year began with a loud cheer. Everybody danced and blew their plastic trumpets into the promising prospect of the new year. I sat in church at the crossover mass, teary-eyed and full of joy grateful to be sharing that beautiful moment with my family. As I sang and danced my heart out, it felt as though I was shedding my skin, the old skin, and wearing a new one.

I love the idea of new beginnings. Newness always brought with it a sense of freshness and admiration. Like unwrapping a gift, ripping off the plastic, and taking in the object with new eyes.

A new wave of responsibility set in, grounding me in my resolutions. The things I had set out to achieve within the year are numerous but one thing rings true, they're possible. I renewed my hope as I wore my new skin and cried new tears of joy.

I love the idea of new beginnings and quite frankly, I'm excited and a bit nervous about the surprises 2024 has for me. But I am not alone, I have Someone who has never failed me since I entered this world. God who has been constant in my life, always there never leaving. His presence strengthens me and fills me with a special sense of security this year.

Dearest 2024, this letter is a bit late but you know what they say it's better to be late than never show up at all. This has sat in my drafts for too long but here I am, showing up.

My expectations for this year aren't farfetched. They're quite simple and straightforward. But I would prefer not to limit you as I did with your predecessor.

I am open to new opportunities, new pleasures, new passions, new interests, new romance, new jobs, new friendships, new connections, new communities. I hope to discover new books, new songs, new movies, new experiences, new friends. New in this context means "positive". New to me is always a good thing.

I am letting go of past traumas, past conflicts, and past resentments. Wearing a new skin that day was my reminder that I have started afresh and thus cannot go back or hold onto things from the past that do not serve or benefit me. Things that hurt me, things that cripple me, things that limit me, things that belittle me, things that feed into my fears and insecurities, things that excite my shadow side, I have moved on from them all.

I envision 2024 full of prosperity; a year of uncommon favours, a year of consistency, a year of abundance, a year of perfect health. That is the 2024 I deserve. I know that you're kind enough to honour my proposal. I pray the same for the person reading this.

To 2024, my most exciting year yet. Thank you for showing up. Godspeed to us all.