Sunday Letter • December 29th, 2024
Last minute reflections and gratitude, my ins and outs list for 2025, and exciting (!) new content coming in the new year
Welcome to this week’s
Welcome to the last Sunday Letter of 2024! We bring in 2025 this week. I always enjoy taking the time to reflect on how much has happened or changed over the past 12 months, and I get excited about the potential for what the next 12 hold.
I have grown and changed so much over these past 5 years, each year coming more and more into myself. As we reach the midway point of this current decade, I welcome the opportunity of uncertainty that lies ahead. I don’t know about y’all, but it’s kinda exciting for me to not know what’s to come… Is that odd?
Divine timing works in strange and mysterious ways: introducing you to opportunities, people, lessons and assignments that will only continue to impact your journey and shape who you are.
None of it is by chance, an accident or a mistake. Like, very few things take place “just because.”
Moments and circumstances are aligning in perfect[-ly imperfect] ways whether we recognize it or not—both the exciting, enriching, and fruitful moments we work towards and dream of, as well as the ones that shake up our world and challenge us. That’s the real beauty of life, even when it hurts. Recognizing and accepting this truth is powerful, awe-some, and truthfully, very hard at times.
I once received a fortune from a fortune cookie that spoke to attachment, and the idea that the tighter the grip that one holds onto something—anything: possessions, status, situations, relationships, control—the less that one will have. I’d forgotten about this idea until
mentioned it in her recent weekly report. To be completely transparent, I am continuously working on being able to surrender to what feels inevitable and forceful and to instead focus my energy on what I can control: which if I stop to truly assess and take stock, is still quite a lot.Even when I feel overwhelmed by things that feel out of my control, autonomy and freedom are the greatest gifts and privileges that I’ve been bestowed in this life. And as this year comes to a close, I have been really humbled by the recognition of just how much power and freedom I have in comparison to my younger and former self, and to others, who may seem to have it all but don’t get to make the kinds of choices and live as freely as I do. It can be easy to focus on what we lack, especially in comparison to others, but I have to take the time out to recognize that I am truly blessed.
I’ve been reflecting on some specific ways in which I have observed my growth in this past year. I’m particularly proud of how I have navigated and handled situations that I’d been presented with—stood my ground, and acted on my values and worth, and not out of fear. I’ve recognized the expansion of both my maturity and capacity, and in hindsight, am quite impressed with the way I’ve carried myself this year. I’ve also expanded on my concept and perception of love, what it means and feels like to me, and my ability to see the nuance and humanity in both myself and others.
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I’m not a big New Year’s resolution person, but I do like to set intentions for this next measurable period of growth and change in my life. I’d never made an “ins and outs” list before, but I like that they’re less about specific outcomes or methods and more about directing my energy and life to align authentically with my values and desires.
I started working on my ins and outs list for 2025 a couple of months ago, drawing upon the course of this past year and the energy that I want to maintain and bring forth. When writing it, I asked myself honestly what it is that I want, don’t want, need, and don’t need. The result is an unfiltered list that is a reflection of me and my journey, and not necessarily anyone else’s.
My ins for 2025:
remaining open to new perspectives, information, and experiences
asking questions
intentionally diversifying the voices on my social feeds and in my life
taking the time to process new information and current events rather than automatically assuming the majority that surrounds me has it right (there’s always more to any story)
continuing to prioritize my health, holistically
becoming more active and touching more grass
standing firm in my worth
listening to my intuition and not what others around me think or project
protecting my peace
accepting my JOMO (joy of missing out)
sitting with and honoring my feelings
telling the truth as a love language, and believing in the truth as one of the greatest tools for compassion
believing people when they show—not just say—who they are
making actionable steps toward my goals and dreams
engagement and giving a damn
deciding to love
hot girl szn forever
My outs for 2025:
“us vs. them” mentality, about any matter — it’s unproductive and isn’t getting us anywhere as a humanity
echo chambers 🙉
thinking I know better (there’s so much that I don’t know, and there’s always more to learn and unlearn)
habits, behaviors, things, etc. that do not reflect the best version of myself
making excuses (for myself and others)
people pleasing and compromising on my true, personal values and beliefs
dimming my light for others (others’ insecurities are their responsibility to work through)
external validation (and being around those who constantly seek it—major energy drainers)
confirmation bias
stereotypes and categories
enablement and gratification
passivity and apathy
turning a blind eye to truth because it may be uncomfortable, controversial, or hurt someone’s feelings (I’ve been over “be nice” culture)
What about you? What do you intend to tune into or leave out as we move forward?
More than just wishing you a happy one, I wish you all a new year that is filled with opportunities to grow more into your highest, most authentic, thriving self. And I wish you the clarity to recognize these opportunities—even when they are presented as conflict or challenges—so that you can say “yes.” Let go and let will.
Peace.
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“Walking Into Sunshine” by Central Line
Walk on into the new year with me and these vibes!
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In the new year:
I’ll share my recipes for beef liver pâté, my Throat Coat tea dupe, kimchi, and some homemade beauty products, too
I launch my DEEP Dive series, where I’ll dive deep on holistic beauty and health topics (you won’t want to miss!)
More Round Ups of curated vibes on fashion, home, design and more, giving you a peak into where I source my inspiration and creative process
On music: I’ll get into some of my favorite Hip-Hop and R&B samples + originals, and curate collections of my favorite album covers
I hope you’ll stick around for these and more!
Thank you for being here with me; I’m so grateful and absolutely humbled by your presence and support.
See you all on the other side of 2025!
Kendyl
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Inspiration Kendyl - Happy & Healthy New Year to you.