At the beginning of the year I decided to get a gratitude
jar and fill it with thank you notes. I scribbled down the things I was mostly grateful
for at the end of every week. I started off so well but as the year went by it
got harder for me to keep up, so I started dropping in notes whenever I
remembered or whenever something in my mind popped up and I was thankful for it;
it’s no wonder the jar didn’t overflow as I imagined it would. I plan to open
the jar on the last day of the year and I figured I should at least share twelve
things I am grateful for this year. Twelve
because there are twelve months in the year; though, keep in mind that the
things I’ve listed, didn’t necessarily happen in that order.
1. Juza Africa
I am glad to have been part of the founding team of Juza Africa that installs digital libraries
around primary schools. The organization focuses on improving literacy and making the educative process more efficient and effective for schools in Africa using technology inspired solutions. My work with the team has been to capture the
process, create content and run the social media pages. The most joy I’ve got
out of the work is being able to do something for the community and share the
love and joy with the children as they receive the digital libraries. If you’re
looking for a way to give back to the society, please consider the
organization, you can donate on the website. 2. Getting my books on Amazon
As a creative, I get excited knowing that I’ve put out
something into the world. I officially have three books published under my name.
Its two screenplays and a children’s illustration book that you can buy from
Amazon. That officially makes me a published author and I am definitely
thankful for that. Check out the link to
all my 3 books here: Click to buy my books on Amazon
Alongside publishing
my own books, I also helped my cousin publish her own book, ‘Beyond theCrevices.’ If you’re looking to publish your own book, please lets discuss, I’m happy to
get your book published as well. At a fee of course!
3. Stock photography
I have a lot of pictures sitting in my computer because of
the love I have for photography. I decided to share this on stock sites and it
has been such a rewarding experience. If you are considering doing this for
some extra bucks please do. My only regret is that I hadn’t started sooner. My
most earning website has been Dreamstime, which I am an exclusive partner. If
you plan to join please use my affiliate link. I am also on Shutterstock, but it hasn’t got me much, I know for sure everyone’s
experience is different, so if you’re still interested in joining Shutterstock
you can use my referral link. The good thing with stock photography is that you can make up to $1000 a year
just having your photos on the website. Some people have been luckier and have made
that in a month. So please try it out if
you’re a photographer and find out how your work does.
4. Getting a website
It took a while but with the help of a great website developer
I created my own website www.spinklycreations.com
based off the idea of stock photos. I realized there are a lot of people
looking for creative content, so figured it’s a great way to keep mine all
together in one place. Please check out the website and support my work by
registering and engage on the site. You can also buy some of my digital content,
I would really appreciate it.
5. Getting back on YouTube
I’m able to showcase the process of my work and to increase
my outreach through YouTube. I created
the channel for my illustrations one year ago, though I stopped for some time.
I picked it up again this year and I’ve decided to be consistent with it. Hopefully,
I can build an audience. Please click on the link and subscribe to my channel if
you are a fan of my work. It will encourage me to keep going: Subscribe
6. Creating a Spinkly Store
The great thing with Teespring, which is the website I’m using
for my designs, is that it allows me to print on demand and the site also takes
care of the shipping. This way I am able to sell my paintings as well as use my
wallpapers and patterns to create merchandise such as tshirts, pillows,
hoodies, cases and the likes. Check out my store.
7. Traveling for my birthday
On my birthday this year I took a trip to Diani. It’s not to
another country as I had originally hoped for but it was very fulfilling all
the same. I got to travel with my big sister who was great company. The trip
was a much needed vacation. I’ve put in so much work this year, and whether I
get appreciated for it or not, I figured it’s the least I could do for myself,
reward my efforts.
I also realized that I am so blessed to have been to a total
of 19 countries in my life (Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Egypt, Senegal, Guinea
Bissau, UK, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Israel, UAE,
Turkey, USA, Pakistan and India) and I really plan to make that 20 by next year.
I like the idea of my 20th country being in 2020.
8. Books I’ve read
I am not much of a reader, but I’m glad that I managed to read
four books this year. This is such an improvement from last year because I only
read one book (It was even a book I was editing, so I’m not sure if that even
counts). Hopefully next year I can finish six books in total as I had hoped would
be the case this year. Below is a list of the titles I read this year:
- The self-esteem workbook
- Becoming Michelle Obama
- Act like a lady, think like a man.
- You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make em chacha: Why Some People Stay in Abuse and Some Don't.
9. Appreciating your circle
This year I learned that being close to your family members
is a blessing. Generally when people don’t have great relationships with people
they live with or work with, it can be toxic. I’m now wary of the people I
allow in my life, and I’m especially grateful for the people that love me for being
me, and wouldn’t change a thing. The older you get, the harder it becomes to
keep friendships. It’s no wonder the older you get the smaller the circle.
10. Health
Slowly by slowly I am starting to have problems with my
health. I won’t mention them particularly, but a lot of my conditions have got worse
with age. Nowadays I consider health as not having to go through any excruciating
pain, because when pain or illness comes, it’s a reminder that health is so
important and we shouldn’t take it for granted. I hope as I step into 2020 I
can actually stick to a healthy diet and follow through with exercising, I don’t
like it but it’s necessary.
11. Building a relationship with God
I believe in God and my strength comes from God. I feel like
the past few years my relationship with God hasn’t been at its best, so lately
I have been working on that and so far so good. Prayer works, you just have to
be patient, and know that God’s time is always best. I’ve learned that being at
peace with my God results to being at peace with myself.
12. Blogging
I know, I can’t really brag about this blog part, or say I
am grateful for how much I have written. Though, I am glad I have this platform
to express myself in written form. I have really missed it, and the fact that I
am able to come back whenever I feel like, without any pressure, at no cost, I
appreciate that. I don’t know if there’s anybody who reads what I write, but I
still choose to write because I realize I love writing. I’m no Shakespeare or English
guru but I’m a creative writer. I love expressing myself through writing
because it gives my thoughts value. Thanks if you actually did read up to the
end because I doubt people still read blogs, but you do and that’s rare! Have a
prosperous and successful 2020! I hope to write more next year!
Comment below the books you’ve read this year, and let me
know what you were mostly grateful for this year.
