Reset And Renewal

When I say that I don’t mean changing my BlackBerry.

I mean changing my outlook on life, and amplifying the quality of my days on earth.

Reset and renewal can be related to the pandemic.

Coronavirus automatically  changed our prior various existence, put us in mandatory isolation, increased bouts of loneliness ,and created  desolate streets.

Despite this loss-period the pandemic renewed people’s interest in global affairs, and presented various opportunities and addictive trends.

There was the revolution of TIK TOK; face-masks became a unifying protector/accessory.

A simple knee allowed us to bring to surface hidden injustices we use to blindly sweep under the carpet.

The resurgence of hate displayed in the historic Capitol Building ambush versus the eloquence  of the young black poet  in the inauguration of Joe Biden,  single-handily shrugged away the connation’s of perceived “black intelligence”.

Suddenly people realized loungewear doesn’t have to be dull, it can be a real fashion staple for everybody (so no more guilt of wearing your pjs to your local Tesco).Also the pandemic blocked the theory “curiosity killed the cat” it resulted in people taking the plunge into the unknown waters known as “business” not knowing how  or if they will stay  afloat.

Coronavirus unwittingly threw the line that use to be a social divide out of the window, and the line has transformed to a finish line which to signal the exit of this disaster- race. Which we all hope to pass.

I think some people were subconsciously bored with their existences, and coronavirus gave   them the opportunity to upgrade their existences and increase their informity, so I think we’ve been moulded into a “WOKE generation”

“Reset and renewal” to me personally is me recharging my life, and brightening my outlook. And those are all the reasons I birthed my blog.

What I noticed during lockdown, I was actually talking myself out of having a blog for years.

The questions plaguing my mind previously, will I be panned, will I get readers, could I be my own boss.

But I came to the conclusion we can be our own worst critic, and that’s why a lot of talent   and ideas go wasted due to the simple  word “fear”.

But Covid made me grow some balls, and realize that if I can survive a pandemic, and conquer it the rest is easy.

Writing is my first love, and I put it on the back burner for years due to politics and hectic schedule ,but  again I realized I was just inventing excuses, as I was afraid of the word “failure”.

I always believe take a positive from a negative.

Maybe it took a worldwide tragedy to make me re-access my life, and give me that added incentive to grab life before it passes me by.

I always reiterate the phrase daily that “ time stops and waits for no one, and things  can change in the blink of an eye”.

So don’t take life or people for granted.

If you don’t make everyday that your alive productive that’s an injustice in itself. And it’s an insult to the many lives lost which I know would have all cherished one more day on  this precious earth.

I want to be truly alive and embrace life the good and bad. I know I can never be the same again with several family members gone, but I know I want to be a better version of myself 3 years ago.

I hope my blog will inform educate and motivate others to pursue their dreams don’t live vicariously through other people. I believe nothing ventured nothing gained if I can touch one person through my writing  that’s a mission accomplished, and proves my efforts are not in vain when starting my blog.

I want it to be known the pandemic didn’t break me it made me.

Also I reflected on myself more personally during the pandemic.

I use to follow the  hoodie combo  in my  heyday (ok high school days), so  I didn’t  get cast, as a cultural sell-out.

Being at home has made me increase  my mental fortitude, and truly  evolve my fashion aesthetic.

I realised during lockdown a black woman’s fashion shouldn’t  be pigeon-holed, and I shouldn’t  be guilt-tripping myself to please ignorant  self -haters, and me being a walking canvass instead of a faceless portrait, shows I’m  also making fashion more inclusive, as I’m daring to challenge the norms of what “real -fashion” is perceived for black people.

 This period has unearthed my passion for journalism which I put on the backburner due to setbacks but, I’ve realised you have to step outside the box to have personal and professional elevation.

Most modern cultural icons have had trying times, as there’s a backstory before every successful working film but, have took the  initiative to change their circumstances for the better.  Versace who watched his mum seam, he managed to create one of the world’s most notable fashion brands.

Vivienne Westwood’s  previous hustle   of designing one- off pieces for a punk  shop  led to her being discovered by bands like the  Sex Pistols, and the emergence of  one of the most unique fashion enigmas in our generation. One direction who were ordinary lads were propelled to stardom due to taking the leap of faith to simply “audition”.

Gordon Ramsay who developed his passion for cooking through a course, and ended up carving out a culinary empire literally.

So these stars all applied the “reset and renewal “theory some point in their  life, and it worked. So I know I’m heading in the right direction, but don’t worry I started practicing what I preach.

I’ve ventured into improving my culinary skills during lockdown.  I’m not joking my jollof rice that use to   be infused with the smokiness due to the burnt bits at the bottom is now more stewy which is an achievement to me, and relief to my mum, also my victoria sponge cake can actually rival Mary Berry, but don’t yet expect to see my application for Bake Off.

And my crocheting has upped a step or too ,but  I still feel comfortable with a couple of plasters by the side just to be safe.

During this pandemic, I’ve lost loved ones made contact with lost ones.

They say when life gives you lemons you make lemonade, but with the amounts of lemons life has handed me.

My system would go into sugar shock.

This pandemic has highlighted me to the fragility of life, and how it’s a roller-coaster and has ups and downs.

This world-crisis has emboldened me to be  the best me  that I can be, as time waits for no one.

What I concluded resetting before to me prior was about resetting your battery or renewing my Netflix subscription. Now to me, it means

resetting your wellbeing and renewing your focus on the journey which is life.

Despite the turbulence of lockdown it has led to much-needed self-discovery and self-reflection, and also to me adopting my new mantra.

“I don’t want to just survive I want to thrive”.