As we move into the second half of 2022, we wanted to share a piece by contributor Fatima reflecting on 2021. Read Fatima's piece below!
This year was way better than 2020. In 2020, we were not able to interact or socialize with people, and I missed it. This year was actually a great year for me, even though I took a couple of L’s (but isn’t that part of the purpose of life?). Sometimes, you’re going to go through hardship, but just know the difficulties that you’re going through are temporary- the pain is temporary. Life isn't always filled with joy; you are not going to be satisfied with every event that happens to you. For you to learn in life, you have to go through challenges that you don’t want to go through. That is something that I learned this year.
I also learned not to be so complacent. I have to learn to be uncomfortable, because if you're always doing the things that make you feel comfortable, you will never learn anything.
But the biggest lesson that I learned this year is that you can’t please everybody. That's true. I can't let people scare me. I can't go through my whole life trying to please everyone else. I can't go through life worried about what everyone else is going to think of me: whether it's my clothes, the way I walk, or the way I talk. I have to say how I feel. I can't let the judgment of others stop me from being me. Because if I do…there won’t be no Fatima.
But I have learned about myself. Yes, I am Fatima Kabba. What does self-care look like for Fatima? How does Fatima take care of her mental health? What does self love look like for Fatima?
“Being in love with every part of yourself.
Taking care of your own needs and not
sacrificing your well-being to please others.
Not settling for less than you deserve.”
- Anonymous
But, I just want you to know that no matter how long your journey takes, dealing with what
you've been through can already be challenging enough.
So don't let anyone or anything convince you of believing
that your traumatic moments in life define you.
None of this is your fault.
You did absolutely nothing to
deserve this — regardless of what anyone has to say.
If you've experienced something traumatic,
then you deserve to get the care and healing
you need to recover.
Also understand and be OKAY
with the fact
that you don't need to defend your worth.
You don't need to defend your truth.
You don't need to apologize for your limits.
Just know that you are beautiful inside and out.
Just know 2022 is yours.
Don't be afraid to claim it.
My name is Fatima Kabba. I was raised on the south end of Seattle, WA. I’ve never lived anywhere else! I’ve been in Seattle, my whole life.
When I graduate from Rainier Beach High School I want to become a doula, a midwife, a journalist or a businesswoman and run my own restaurant inshallah. Things that I have accomplished so far would be becoming a leader in my community, not being a follower but a leader! . I would say that I'm different because I do things that people don't expect me to achieve. Like when I had to step in for my work supervisor when she was absent.
For you to learn in life you have to go through things that you don’t want to go through. That is something that I learned this year. I also learned not to be so comfortable because for you to be able to learn in life you have to be uncomfortable.
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