I get very nostalgic. Before I move on from something, I care to have done it all and done it right. I always have a midway point though, and once I cross that line, I start to look ahead and feel excited for what’s to come.

…Coming To America…

I was leaving my birth home, Uganda, to come to the United States for college. I was 19-years-old, flying alone for the first time and going to a country I had never been to. I cried that entire flight from home.

I had a connecting flight in Amsterdam and once I got off the plane, it was like a switch in me had been changed. I had left every sad thought on that plane and as I strolled through Schiphol Airport waiting on my flight to Houston, my entire mindset changed from “I want my mummy” to “You got this girl.”

It’s been eight years now. In five months, I will have a Pharmacy Doctorate under my belt, in addition to a lifestyle blog (which Turns FIVE YEARS tomorrow) that I only imagined in my wildest dreams. I really can’t complain. It all worked out as I hoped, probably even better.

…Yearly Goals…

This past year, I had one major goal. To be Real As F*ck with myself. Being real meant putting myself first, being honest, cutting myself some slack, appreciating what I have, letting go of what I can’t control and refusing to play safe. That last one was especially hard, considering my introverted ways.

…Self Preservation…

In April, I attended a female empowerment panel seminar, where Dr, Camille Cash, M.D. talked about the art of Self-Preservation. She’s a plastic surgeon, and clearly understands the science-school hardships, I knew she understood the struggle to stay sane and live life, while attempting to solve the multiple challenges it throws at you.

Since then, for every decision I make, I evaluate how much of myself I have to give, if value is being added to my life, and if it will be worth it. If no, I’m not doing it. If I feel like I’m caught up in something I no longer want to be a part of, I’m unapologetically letting it go. Sorry, not sorry.

This year, I dropped friendships that felt like baggage. I dropped relationships that were draining. I canceled on people without second thought…people that never gave me second thought. Having an extremely busy schedule made me value my time more and become very selfish with who gets it.

…Real A.F…

When it comes to being real with yourself, the formula is simple. No one knows you like you do and no one knows your situation like you do. You might tell people the story that sounds good or makes you look good, but only you know the truth. And if you’re going to better yourself, you need to stick to that truth.

Even though not as glamorous, living in your truth has a true level of satisfaction. There’s no pressure. You never have to feel like you’re competing with anyone. That itself is an amazing life to live. People that are in competition, are so busy looking into other people’s lives and copying them, that they forget to write their own story.

One thing’s for sure, no one has it perfect. You can’t have another person’s life, so work on your own. Fight for your happiness, no one else will.

…Looking Forward…

To be honest, I’m a little nervous about 2018; a lot of grown-girl life decisions that I have to make, especially after I graduate. The thought of it can be overwhelming at times, but I know I can only do so much as take it a day at a time and pray it works out fine. Hopefully at the stroke of midnight, it will be nothing but excitement for what’s to come.

…To You…

My following more than doubled this year, I never got a chance to thank you guys for choosing me…Thank you.

This coming year will probably be the one where I share more about my personal life because of all the changes coming my way. Transitioning from guardianships like being in school, to finding your place in the working world, or living off your parents, to blossoming into an independent, graceful, admirable and respectable lady, is not easy at all—however, it’s something I’ve looked forward to my entire life and will share with you.

From me, Happy New Year!

Stay Fabulous and Love Hard,

Mahbuba.