2025!

How would I describe 2025 in one word? Eye Opening! Like I do every year, here are my highlights of the year – STAY TUNED!

Truly God has been faithful and I remain thankful for his Goodness and Mercies – I may not have it all but I can only be thankful for how far he has brought me.🙂

January – Survived a terrible cough (got this from outside or better yet for not staying in my house lol). It was so bad coupled with a terrible fever – I was thinking the worst at this point but God did whilst gearing up for the next phase of my career. I was still hooked onto Prison Break which was so fun to watch!

February – I dyed my hair (proper blonde – which looked good!)

I started a new job (within the Civil Service) – something I had wanted for years. Hmm! Not sure why sometimes life has to be so complicated but hey, I guess we will never know all the answers. It is a welcoming role (not exactly where I envision myself career-wise but I am thankful!). I have the opportunity to work with some great people and also learn some key lessons about the workplace and life in general. 

I went to speak at a church in London about the GUBA Foundation’s ‘Autism I am Not a Stigma’ awareness project by the GUBA Foundation – which was very well received by the congregation. 

My non profit, Global Activists Network turned ONE! – which we celebrated in a grand style. You can watch our webinar here. 

March – I caught up with my big sister in London – it is always nostalgic to catch up with people you have known from long ago. The conversations always stir up something within me. 

I also went for work training with colleagues in another region which introduced me to other colleagues and senior colleagues too.

April – I attended an Induction day for work and one of my lovely senior colleagues performed some reggae music! It was fun to watch ☺️.

As April is Autism Awareness month, I wrote about my experience with autism (an article that was shared with my colleagues across the region I am based in) and also spoke at a webinar with colleagues) as a sister to an autistic person as well as working with a Foundation that is raising awareness about autism and neurodiversity amongst ethnic minority groups in the UK. This was very well received by most colleagues. 

I organised and participated in an Autism walk as part of my role with the GUBA Foundation which also went quite well – in celebration of Autism Awareness month. 

An old friend I hadn’t seen in a while came to visit 🙂.

May – I attended a compulsory work training (a draining one!) and got to meet colleagues from other regions. I met up with an old friend after training. 

I also moved into my own apartment – one of my biggest achievements of the year!

I organised a mental health awareness webinar – dragged my friends and colleagues to join! It was a good one!

I was invited by my former line manager for quarterly drinks at her current workplace. I turned up and caught up with her and her other colleagues. It was an evening well spent though I was TIRED! (I travelled to London after work).

My school daughter (from secondary school) also graduated from her Masters program – Proud of you girl!

I started recording podcast episodes for the GUBA Foundation’s Autism Awareness project – ChatterBox Champions podcast. Please give it a listen here and follow us!

June – One of my very good friends, sister, actually graduated as a DOCTOR! I am very proud of her because the journey has not been easy! I am ecstatic when my friends win – way to go!

My younger brother turned 30 and I was excited to celebrate with him :). Love him to pieces! It was also an opportunity to see Leeds – I have not been in a while. Most places look the same. Not much has changed!

I dyed my hair (red – my favourite colour) – LOVED IT!

I went on my first trip of the year – it was short but much needed. 🙂

I went on another work training shortly after my trip bruh…which was another tiring training but I got through it! There was a colleague who was giving me compliments about my sense of style 💕.

I ‘hosted’ a friend of my big sister from Ghana who ended up becoming a friend too! 

July – I attended one of my favourite artistes ever – Black Sheriff’s concert – IT WAS LIT! I am glad I did. 

There was a ‘Bring a local snack from your country’ day at work and I took it a notch higher because why not?

I was invited by a friend to her church in London to educate the congregation about neurodiversity – I was supposed to do this with a colleague but eventually I did this on my own which I managed well 🙂.

August – Supported a long standing partner of GUBA Foundation (Brightstars) with their event and also delivered a workshop at a church in London about how parents with neurodiverse children alike can receive the needed support. 

I visited 1957 Restaurant (after an unsuccessful attempt a year ago) to have some local food – preferably fufu but I ended up with Banku and okro stew as they didn’t have fufu 😔.

I also met my auntie (who came to visit from Ghana) in London. I hadn’t seen her in 2 years!

I became an auntie again! My sister had a baby boy 🥳

September – The plot twist month! I reconnected with a family member – was not expecting this at all but yep, it happened! 

I also helped a stranger who clearly needed help one fateful evening – story for another day but I am glad I could be of assistance!

October – My best month of the year (those who know, KNOW). I turned 32 and as usual, celebrated it in style – somewhere FAR FROM THE UK!

I attend a Development day for work – an interesting & an eye opening one. Regardless, it is always a good idea to have people at your back at work – If you don’t get it….

I mentored a young African woman as part of an initiative a friend co-founded – though I was strict about not volunteering from the beginning of this year onwards, I was happy to help this particular person because why not?

November – I travelled back home to Ghana (after 3 years) to celebrate my sister’s wedding – I actually wanted to do Detty December but I could not but I was glad I made this sacrifice to go. Natalie deserves it! I also got to catch up with old friends, family and loved ones, enjoyed the hot weather, good food and EVERYTHING! It was a BLAST! 

It was a FUN but SHORT TRIP! Great MEMORIES!

I returned to the UK for work training (a day after I landed bruh…) – an interesting experience (interesting here is the only palatable word I could use because if I start to talk! SMH). The good thing is one of the locations of the training – BREATHTAKING!

December – Someone I supported back home with tuition graduated from school.

I got to prepare one meal I have always wanted to prepare – 3t) – it came out really well! I love it when I am able to satisfy my cravings and also turns out just the way I planned it!

I cooked for my colleagues at work (for our Christmas lunch) and they all loved my food! 🥰

I ended the year with a heart full of gratitude and with much clarity and preparedness to kickstart 2026!

I still have so many things on my to do list but this year gave me the opportunity to kick start some of them which I am grateful for. I was not able to achieve all goals including travelling to more countries (travelled to 3 this year) but I pray in the coming year, I am able to do more! 

I pray God gives me discernment as well, especially regarding the people who I am about to meet in life and those already in my life – this is a very important thing to have – saves you from a lot of drama!

Irrespective of all these highlights, I am forever grateful for the gift of life and good health as without it, I won’t be able to work towards my goals. 

I went through some shit as well – in my personal life, career (this was the worst – job rejections, fellowship rejections and not getting any fully funded travel opportunities etc this year) among others – it was not all rosy but thank God I never allow such things to break me because I have been through the worst and survived so these are minor battles to me.

Ten years ago, I could have been dead but I am still here (This is something I may share when I feel much more comfortable).

Thank you to everyone who has been part of my 2025 – for the wins, losses, lessons and many more. I appreciate you. I hope you enjoyed your Christmas and I wish us all a spectacular 2026!

See you soon with another blogpost!