I鈥檝e not perceived that scent in a couple of days. But I did a few days ago. The smell of December. I鈥檓 not sure which one I love more. That peculiar scent as we transition from the rainy season to the dry season or the scent that comes with the approaching rainy season after long weeks of the dry season.
Maybe the latter, but that December scent always holds a lot. The biggest nostalgic moments, the whole Christmas air. The warming up of those set to light up fire works. All the cooking. All the pre-new year anxiety. Every thing else. It鈥檚 what makes December, December.
Yet, can I rightfully say that this is why I鈥檓 looking forward to December? Yeah, that鈥檚 part of it. But more than that? I鈥檓 looking forward to my final big reflection. Reviewing all the months and all the lessons I learnt this month. The chapters that closed and the ones that opened. The opportunities I forwent and the ones I grabbed hook, line and sinker. The decisions that were mistakes which invariably taught me lessons and the decisions I鈥檓 so glad I took, which also brought about their own lessons.
But every year is like that, so what makes 2024 special?
I think I gained true mastery of a lot of things this year. Skills and harnessed talents, education and vocabulary. And most of all, I learnt about myself. My emotions. Who I am at my core that makes me, me. And that鈥檚 the thing about learning and growth. It鈥檚 not a straight road and it鈥檚 filled with twists and turns that would break you, raise you, break you again and raise you up once again. And after the experience, you come out like gold that has been through the fire under the greatest of heat and is now moulded to becoming its truest form.
Crazy thing, right?
So what am I looking forward to in December, once again? I鈥檓 looking forward to be able to take things in stride. To finally master the art of breathing through it all. These past months have been a battle of tasks, illnesses, work, school, even more work, even more times filled with anxiety and panic. And I struggled so hard to breathe, quite literally too.
I鈥檓 looking forward to being more discerning over everything. To count my words and even more so, my thoughts. To be more discerning of my actions and inactions. And of course, with people as well. I鈥檝e finally rounded up two months of learning a skill that would be incredibly beneficial to my future, and it has been a worthwhile journey. What would December bring? Heck, what would the new year bring?
I look forward to the joy that December will bring. Because positivity is now my watchword and so I claim Joy to be my biggest emotion all through December and beyond. I heard I have the prettiest and most glowing face when I smile. Lol. Me I believe it. So, you guys had better get ready. I'm blinding you people with it from now on, especially in the month of December.
Let鈥檚 not give up, guys. The best is yet to come!
My entry to the Hive Naija Weekly Prompt.
Jhymi馃枻
Images are mine.