If you’ve been here for a while, you’ll know that at the beginning of every month, I usually come with a message. But this one is a little different.
This August, I’m giving you permission to do something we don’t celebrate enough.
Slow down.
Relax.
Reset.
And I’m taking my own advice.
This month, I’m not chasing a huge goal. I’m not putting pressure on myself to achieve something extraordinary. August has always been a deeply reflective month for me because it’s my birthday month.
Every year, before my birthday arrives, I spend time looking back over the previous year. I reflect on where I’ve been, where God has brought me from, and I pray about where I believe He’s leading me next. It’s a quiet season of realignment.
This year, I want to embrace that fully.
So if you notice my posting becoming a little… unpredictable… that’s intentional.
Some days I’ll wake up and feel inspired to share something.
Other days, I won’t.
I’m choosing not to force consistency this month. Instead, I’m choosing authenticity. I’m allowing myself to breathe, to listen to my heart, and to simply be.
Over the last few years, life has been incredibly difficult.
There were beautiful moments, yes, but there were also some of the hardest seasons I’ve ever experienced.
Losing my dad was one of them.
There were many other painful moments that taught me what survival really looks like. I remember constantly saying that I was just trying to keep my head above water.
That’s exactly how life felt.
Like I was trying not to drown.
But something has changed.
The best way I can describe it is this.
For years, I felt like I was in the water, desperately trying to reach a boat.
Sometimes I could barely keep my head above the surface.
Sometimes I’d grab onto a lifeline only to lose it.
Sometimes I’d almost pull myself onto the boat before slipping back into the water.
It constantly felt like survival.
But today…
I don’t feel like I’m drowning anymore.
I don’t feel like I’m desperately holding onto the edge of the boat.
I don’t feel like someone is reaching down trying to rescue me.
I feel like I’m finally sitting in the boat.
Safe.
Still.
At peace.
That feeling alone is enough to make me stop and thank God.
Because there is a huge difference between surviving and finally feeling secure.
I don’t know exactly what this next year of my life holds, but for the first time in a long time, I’m genuinely excited about it.
I’ve come back to myself.
I’ve found my voice again.
I’ve found my joy again.
And although I’m excited about everything I believe God is about to do, I’m not in a rush.
This month is about ease.
This month is about rest.
This month is about reflection.
So I won’t promise you perfect consistency throughout August.
But I do promise this:
Whenever I show up, I’ll show up wholeheartedly.
If you’re reading this and you’ve been carrying the weight of trying to do everything perfectly, maybe this is your permission slip too.
Slow down.
Rest.
Reflect.
The world will still be there when you’re ready.
Happy New Month.
With Love,
Ayo
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If this post resonated with you, share it with one person stepping into something new this month. We have a 10k goal. Let’s make it happen.
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