A letter from Dec 25, 2024

Dear FutureMe, Dear Self, Chidimma Gift Uche, I want to thank you for making it through 2024. This year has been a rollercoaster of emotions, challenges, and growth. There were times when I felt completely lost, alone, and broken. I cried, and I cried some more. I lost myself in the darkness of depression, and there were moments when I felt like giving up. I had a touch of suicide, and I'm proud to say that I'm a suicide survivor. It took immense courage to pull through, and I'm grateful for that strength. Mentally, I wasn't stable. I struggled to find my footing, and there were times when I felt like I was drowning in my own thoughts. But despite all this, I managed to pull through. I'm the one who always tells people to be strong, to keep going, and to never give up. But what do I know? I'm actually the weakest person. I'm the one who struggles to practice what I preach. I'm the one who hides behind a mask of strength while secretly struggling to stay afloat. I want to acknowledge the pain, the struggles, and the hardships. I want to recognize the strength and resilience that lies within me. I'm proud of myself for not giving up, for keeping going, even when it felt like the whole world was against me. Thank you to the people who stood by me, who listened to me, who supported me, and who encouraged me. Thank you to Aunty Zee, Oyin, Nancy, Eliana, my bestie Delight, my amazing sisters AuntyAda nwababy and Aunty oluchi, and my most lovely big daddy (grandad paul). Thanks to the best gift 2024 brought me Chulita,my jewel, my wifey and my big baby 🥰who made my birthday special by traveling all the way from Lagos to Abuja to see me. Despite the challenges she faced and her own struggles to figure out life, she still managed to create time to come see me. Her selflessness and love mean the world to me. Her presence was a reminder that I'm loved, I'm valued, and I'm worth celebrating. I will never take that for granted. It was a core memory, the best ever, and one I will hold on to until my last breath. As I celebrate my birthday today, December 25th, I wish myself all the best. I hope that in the coming year, 2025, I'll continue to grow, learn, and heal. In 2025, I want to work on breaking free from the habit of procrastination. I want to be able to take action without fear of being vulnerable. I want to be brave, to take risks, and to trust myself. I want to be able to say "yes" to new opportunities, even if they scare me. I want to be able to share my thoughts, my feelings, and my ideas without fear of judgment. I also want to master the art of saying "no" without feeling guilty. I want to be able to set healthy boundaries, prioritize my own needs, and communicate my limits without apologizing for them. Next year, on December 25th, I envision myself celebrating with: A plot of land to call my own A thriving business Achieving my long-held goals Being financially stable Continuing to grow and learn Being mentally stable and strong I'm grateful for the journey, for the lessons learned, and for the strength gained. I'm proud of myself for surviving 2024, and I'm excited to see what 2025 has in store. Here's to an incredible 2025! May it be filled with growth, love, and achievement. Sincerely, Uche Chidimma Gift.