Welcoming The New Year With Clarity, Purpose And Honest Goals - LOH Contest || Edition #269

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Happy New Year to the wonderful members of the LOH community who dare to share their personal thoughts and stories in response to the prompts provided every week. It is a joy to begin a full year of writing and publishing in this space, and I hope this feeling lasts all year long, for me and for everyone else who hopes to write consistently in 2026.

This week, we are asked to respond to two questions HERE: Our new year goals, and the traditions we close or open the year with. I will be responding to both prompts for the first time, starting with my goals.

To begin, I would like to admit that I am genuinely happy to be here to witness a new year and to have the opportunity to live through it. Being alive means having another chance to set new goals or continue the groundwork I laid in 2025. For me, it is a mix of both. Yesterday, I took time to reflect on the past year, my highs and lows, what worked and what did not, and the lessons I learned. That reflection gave me clarity to forge ahead in 2026, and now, I have set some realistic targets to reach.

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My first goal this year is to acquire as much knowledge as possible. Over the past few years, my vocabulary suffered because I stopped reading actively and watching movies with enthusiasm. I noticed the knowledge gap whenever I found myself unable to contribute my thoughts in certain spaces. This year, I want to consume long form content more intentionally, both written and verbal. I want to learn new words to strengthen my vocabulary, watch movies to expand my imagination, engage in meaningful conversations, and make YouTube my best friend. Frankly, I am determined not to end this year without becoming a brain box. I am also certain that every knowledge I would have acquired, will lead me into becoming a woman who's highly skilled as a freelance project manager and an executive virtual assistant.

My second goal is centered around my Hive journey. I returned to Hive last year, specifically in November, and showing up consistently to grow my account has been demanding. Still, the progress I have measured so far has been a reassurance that my effort is not in vain. At the moment, I have a little under 200 HP, so I believe it is realistic to aim for 1,500 HP and 120 HBD by the end of the year. I plan to achieve this by keeping up with posting quality content every other day, and participating in rewarding contests that push me beyond my comfort zone.

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My third goal is to live authentically and remain unapologetic about my values. I have tried to do this in previous years, but my efforts were often met with roadblocks. Many times, fear caused me to shrink myself to please others or give way for certain situations. Other times, I made excuses for people I loved even when they crossed my boundaries and proved to be inconsistent with their lifestyles. This year, I am choosing to stand firmly by my values, regardless of who walks away. I want to live freely, on my own terms, and show the world how much potential I possess. I am refusing to be bound by the fear of not being enough and I am willing to do everything within my power to acheive all of these goals.

As for traditions, it has always been a practice in my home to declutter and deep clean the entire house a few days before the New Year. I remember this tradition from as early as eight years old, and it has followed my siblings and I into adulthood. For us, this tradition means "out with the old and in with the new," and it has shaped how I approach each new year. Beyond physical cleaning, it reflects my attempt not to carry dirty thoughts, unnecessary baggage, or awkward feelings into a new season. Instead, I step into the year with a clear mind and positive dreams for the entire twelve months.

This year, my mother, who usually carries the bulk of this annual cleanup travelled for the holidays, and we spent the end of the year without her. Still, we made sure the tradition didn't pause. Every corner of the house was spotless and properly arranged just as it would have been if she were present. The food we prepared to usher in the new year was equally satisfying. I feel refreshed, content, and grateful for this tradition that welcomed us into the year. I strongly believe that 2026 will be a good year for my family and I, regardless of any challenges we may face, and I am rooting for myself to win as much as I can. I also wish everyone goodwill and fulfilled dreams throughout the rest of the year.

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY BLOG!🤗