New Year Musings

2022. If I may be redundant, time is flying. I’ve been practicing medicine as a resident physician for half a year. I’ve lived in New York for half a year. I’ve been verbally sparring with my landlord for half a year. Ha! And I’ve been chasing after my dreams all my life.

God has been blessing. And there’s so much more He’s promised me I know is on the way. When I look back on 2021, I am just so grateful because I accomplished my main objective: to match into residency and embark upon the final stage of my training. My experience has not been without its challenges, but I am absolutely walking in my purpose and doing what I should be doing. That feeling is amazing.

There are some goals I have yet to check off my list. Funnily enough, some pertain to this very space—my blog. As I sat in Red Rooster on New Year’s Eve writing out my goals for 2022, I could not help but notice how many I was carrying over from 2021. I’m not gonna lie. I was disappointed. And maybe it’s just me, but did the holidays feel a bit less celebratory this year? Covid is coviding again and I had to quickly return to NYC right after Christmas. But God quickly reminded me of all we have done. When I looked at my year in review (that I write by hand lol), I was just so grateful. This past year, I raised my blog earnings at a remarkable rate in comparison to 2020. I attended a press trip with a brand. I had 66 brand collaborations. I got to collaborate with Target, y’all!! I had repeat brand partnerships; something I really pride myself on because it speaks volumes of my work when a brand comes back for more business! I had multiple speaking engagements for pre-med and medical student groups. I showed myself (again!!) that the group of “educators” who dismissed me from medical school in 2019 were absolutely wrong about me and that I am a competent, capable physician. I made good on my word to the president of my alma mater when she accepted my appeal—that I would make her proud. I’m grateful. I’m elated.

So why was I concerned with what I had not accomplished? The thought even crept in…”what if I don’t reach that goal next year either?” When my mind starts to go there, I really do try to stop the thought right in its tracks. 2 Corinthians 10:5 – “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” I think it’s normal to dwell on the disappointments a bit, but I really do encourage myself so I don’t stay there. I encourage you all to do the same. It is more than ok to transfer to-do’s and to-don’ts over to the next week, next month, and even next year if need be.

For 2022, I’ve decided to bask in my wins and keep myself open to the possibility of attaining even more than I imagined. This year I want to grow in my confidence and skills as a physician. I want to more than triple my blog income and take my brand to higher heights. I want to continue to explore NYC and find ways to make myself comfortable while I’m here. And the goals that I pushed over into this year I will definitely report as testimonies in the next. I’ll be working and waiting in EXPECTATION. That’s my word for the year. I fully expect to see what I’m believing for. Continue to speak life, y’all and continue to strive even in the midst of disappointment. I’m excited for 2022 and I’m ready to be even closer to my dreams. I pray you all are off to a great start. Feel free to share some of your goals in the comments so I can cheer you on! Until next time.