Not gonna lie… I almost forgot my login credentials to this website. THAT’S how long it’s been. Almost a year and a half have passed, and I know that all the lovely people who receive email notifications when I post just got a (hopefully pleasant) surprise.

Hi, everyone! I’m HOPEsaidit. For those who forgot, I blog about marriage, motherhood, hair and life in the most authentic way that I can.

I was doing so good with being consistent and releasing new content every week. (I have proof. Just take a look at the archives.) But then life kicked me down, I got up and staggered for a few months before I finally took my TKO.

Should I have kept posting when the blows were coming at me? I don’t know. Either way, I had enough sense to get out of the ring and heal my wounds. (Aaaand that’s a wrap on the boxing analogies.)

I’m glad I stepped back, though. It wasn’t like my previous breaks that were due to me being too lazy or too busy with other things. This was seriously a mental health reset.

Although I love connecting with people through my various avenues, the break felt good. I stopped checking social media; and when I did, I was just a massive lurker. Then, at the start of 2023, I was ready to dive back in with a new mindset. My word of the year: accountability.

Everything that I plan to achieve this year will or will not happen based on my commitment to accountability. No more wish lists and forgotten vision boards. I’m lasering in on the areas that I want to see success.

FAITH
People say to put God first; but sometimes, that’s just the “right” thing to say. My goal is to really put that into practice. Yes, I’m setting aside time to pray and read the Bible. Most importantly, I’m studying the Bible, page-by-page at my own pace, so that I can learn the Word for myself.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. – Matthew 6:33

It’s crazy how much we rely on a pastor for all of our information. I’m sick of getting second-hand revelations. I need them to come straight to me, straight from the source. Once you realize little nuances like there were seven pairs of clean animals in Noah’s Ark—not just the one pair of each that we often sing about—that’ll get you to crack open the Bible, too. HA!

FAMILY 
After losing my dad in 2020, it’s even more clear that family is everything. I’m prioritizing quality time with my children, husband, mom and siblings. I’m definitely not perfect because we have a lot going on, but when I make decisions, this is one of my deciding factors.

FINANCES 
Money makes the world go around, and I’m trying to get on that merry-go-round. LOL! I have to get more financially literate to take my finances and giving to the next level. I have always been good at saving, but I need to do more investing. That’s where the real wealth building comes from. So, I’ve started talking to a financial advisor to help guide me through this area that most adults are never taught in the traditional education setting.

FITNESS 
It’s like Groundhog Day with this topic. How long shall I talk about unwanted blubber? Until it is gone. And so far, I’ve been unsuccessful. That is, until 2023 started.

I’ve lost 15 pounds since January 2023 using intermittent fasting and cleaner, lower-carb eating. I also make sure to meet my goal of 10,000 steps per day. I’ll amp up my workouts later this month, but I had to make sure my “formula” works first.

FOCUS 
Yes, it’s weird to list “focus” as one of my areas of focus, but to achieve my goals, I need it! I’m limiting television time, social media scrolling, unnecessary phone calls, etc. Distraction is the enemy of progress, and I have to cut it off at the head. There’s a time for everything, and at this time, it’s grind time. If I’m not focused, I won’t reach my goals.

I’ll expand on these topics in my various weekly posts and videos. (I’m back to a post on Wednesday, and a video on Friday.) I also have a SUPER QUICK survey that I would like you to take so that I can make sure I’m covering subjects that will actually help you out. Please take the survey here.