Notes from 2025

Whew—what a year! What a year 2025 was!

Lately, I’ve been going out alone. A friend asked me what plans I have for the days to come, and when I told him, he was shocked. Maybe I need to reintroduce myself. I love people, but I also love spending time alone. And now that I have a home of my own, I’ve become a true homebody.

So lately, I had claimed a corner in one of my favorite cafés in Kigali. In the evenings, I’d go there with my diary and sit for at least two hours before heading back home. I think I started this ritual at the beginning of November, but somewhere in the middle, life happened. I’ve resumed recently.

I’ve mastered the art of being on my own and doing my little things exactly the way I please. What does this do for me? It helps me avoid being influenced by other people’s opinions, lifestyles, or expectations, whatever they may be. Spending time alone helps me make sure I’m aligned with all my personalities, that I don’t make rushed decisions or act under pressure or influence. I love the quietness that comes with it, it is peaceful.  There are parts of me that resurrect when I am alone.

The last time I sat in that corner doing what I was doing was in 2019. I was evaluating that year and setting resolutions for the one to come. And here I am again, almost six years later, in the very same spot, doing the very same thing.

Honestly speaking, since 2019, I hadn’t really had goals until last year. So, I went back to see what I had written as goals for 2025 and yooo, should I share what I wrote? Maybe let me expose myself a little. These are the exact words I wrote on the 31^st of December 2024. I was sitting at Migano, a favorite café that, for some reason, shut down:

“As of 2025, I’m excited to be there and meet what God has in store for me. I was thinking of having goals but mu by’ukuri I won’t. Well, maybe healing from past relationships trauma and being there for myself. But I also want to be a good sister, daughter, and friend.”

Et voilà! Looks like I did have goals after all. Lol!! And guess what? I achieved every single one of them. If you think I haven’t been a good friend to you, you are the problem, not me. Hahahaha!

Let’s see:

Two months before December 2024, I had ended the most beautiful relationship I’ve ever had. Not because we fought or misunderstood each other, but because it was a long-distance relationship, and I chose to be realistic and honest with myself. So, one night after work, we had a call, both of us crying and that was it. He is Spanish, a sweet soul. This man celebrated me from afar, bought me flowers from afar. He was present in every way possible. He was peaceful, understanding, and he truly loved me. But… I had my own demons to fight. So, I ended it. I am not proud of what I did to him. It didn’t feel casual to me. It didn’t then and it doesn’t now. But I am thankful to him, grateful that I met him.

Then December came, and things fell apart between me and someone very close to me, a good friend I had known for three years; simply because I had become a kind of different person. So, I surrendered and let him go. I don’t even know who ghosted who, but the last time I saw him was December 29th, 2024. It’s been a year now, wow! And recently, I found out he’s engaged. It’s crazy you know, this life! Hahaha. Sometimes it crosses my mind and wonder what will happen if we bump into each other one day. Who will do what and who will start from where? Who will say what? I know there are seasons in life, so there are with friendships, they end as well. It’s just that….well, iriz waririz!

So, stepping into 2025, I decided to leave all that behind and start with a clean slate. The whole of January was spent trying to accept the fact that I’m no longer in my twenties, that I’m officially becoming a real adult. Wait… what age am I turning this coming year? Yegoko hahaha! I love it here though. It feels sweet and beautiful in a different way.

I started my year mu kwa 2 urebye. I still had my good job. I got baptized that same month and never looked back. Trust me, I moved on nange nkajya mbyiyumvamo, lol, never been proud of myself actually. My life in 2025 revolved around God, work, school, and friends. I didn’t date. I told God I wasn’t ready yet; instead, I wanted to be cleansed and refreshed. Anytime I crushed on someone (of course it happened) or someone tried to approach me, the very first thing I’d do once I got home was kneel down and ask God gukebura umushenzi, lol. And God did. And we made it to December!

Uyu mwaka rerooo, yooh! I stretched myself beyond limits. I can literally count the number of hours I’ve slept since May. Because I wanted to work on myself in every corner, I went a little extra. I was very serious with God. I prayed and prayed, read my Bible, fasted for the longest periods I could have ever imagined in my entire life. I fellowshipped. Actually one da, I’ll take time to talk about Soul Gardening Ministries. God sent me there. He loved me, hugged me, and blessed me through those ladies. The only sadness was missing church on Sundays and even Tuesdays, because of work and school.

I studied and studied. Weekends (and I’m still doing so), weekdays after work. Jesus! I needed a master’s degree, which wasn’t enough so, I went for certifications, then trainings, and more trainings.

And I worked. You know, guys, there’s working… and then there’s working. I ran numbers upon numbers. I wrote and spoke too much business English that I feel like I’ve already exhausted the supply meant for next year, lol. When my former boss resigned, I told myself I was finished. I had only been there for a year, and some institutions truly require heaven’s power and the Holy Spirit’s guidance to master their processes. But I pushed. And pushed. I showed up—scared, nervous, childish, confused—but I showed up. And God entrusted me with bigger responsibilities that I’m still trying to fully grasp. Sometimes I pause and ask God if He’s sure about this. Because how do you go from chilling with the guys to waking up the next morning and the guys are reporting to you? With your 52 kgs? And on top of that, then you must learn new stuff—a lot of new stuff—and behave accordingly. But I’m grateful, whatever may come.

Removing sleep (lol), I tried to take care of myself and truly be there for myself. I cooked delicious meals, kept my house and body clean, listened to and danced to my favorite music, read good books, watched great movies, enjoyed fine wines, took myself out, and on some days, I simply sat and did nothing. Despite my crazy schedule, I tried to show up for friends too and hung out with some. I also made grown-up decisions, especially around personal growth and finances. This year was a good  one maze!

I was genuinely loved this year. I experienced love in its purest form. God blessed me with friends I wouldn’t trade for anything. You are many, and you guys know yourselves. Trust me, I felt your love deeply. I saw it, I lived it, and you will always have a special place in my heart. Muri make, urukundo rwanyu ruzansaza!!

2025 felt like a year I was sent away for training. A preparation year. A season of learning—about life, faith, discipline, love, and self. So that I’d be ready. Well-prepared. Because 2026? I am more than ready. It was a tough, but great year to be honest!

So, did I die? No.

Then we go a little extra next year.

Happy New Year folks!!! Let’s be INTENTIONAL in 2026!🎇