Detty December in Ghana was nothing short of electric with equal parts of culture, chaos, beauty, and joy. From parties until sunrise to soulful history lessons, my trip to Accra reminded me why travel and exploring cultures feeds my spirit.
The Journey (aka the chaos before the calm)
The trip didn’t begin smoothly. Think delayed and missed flights, lost luggage, and a very questionable last-minute hotel stay in Brooklyn. After being rerouted from New York to New Jersey, I finally landed in Accra a day later than planned, exhausted but excited. The first order of business? A long, grounding shower before stepping into the festivities.
It’s wild how quickly time moves when you’re living it. One year can hold so much, more than we realize while we’re in it. Looking back now, I see how full this past year truly was. Not just busy but lived.
I started the year celebrating my birthday in Tulum, Mexico. Sun-soaked days, sonata freshwater moments, and a quiet reminder to enjoy where I am. I ended the year somewhere entirely different. Accra, Ghana, travel blog loading.
In between, life unfolded in ways both expected and surprising. I rode rollercoasters, danced to live music, partied until sunrise and witnessed beautiful wedding ceremonies filled with love and intention. I shared a family vacation at Disneyland, creating joyful lifelong moments.
This was also a year of transition
I drove across the country, moving back to the South. I started a new job. I rejoined an intramural sports team. I was accepted into a fully funded fellowship.
There were beginnings and endings. Relationships formed, relationships released. I trained for a 10K, learning patience, discipline, and what it means to show up even when motivation fades. This year stretched me. It grounded me. It reminded me that growth doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it happens quietly, in the act of choosing and continuing to show up.
As the year came to a close, I felt deeply grateful. Grateful for my loved ones. Grateful for a career that aligns with my values. Grateful for health, curiosity, and the ability to explore both the world and myself. I’m blessed to see another year and as I step into 2026, I do so with gratitude in my heart and openness in my spirit. I am excited not just for what’s ahead, but for who I’m continuing to become.
Relocating for a job can be exciting, intimidating, and full of unexpected lessons. Whether it’s your first move or your third, it’s easy to focus solely on the paycheck and forget how important lifestyle factors are in shaping your overall well-being. As someone who has moved across the country more than once, I’ve learned that salary alone isn’t enough to guarantee happiness or fulfillment. When relocating here are some essential things to consider before packing your bags.
There’s something uniquely empowering about going out alone. Whether it’s grabbing dinner, attending a party, or showing up to a concert solo, it takes a level of confidence and self-assurance that many people don’t often tap into. But once you do, you’ll likely find that solo outings offer a kind of freedom and personal satisfaction that can’t be matched. As someone who’s attended many events alone— whether comedy clubs or local concerts—I’ve discovered that some of my most memorable experiences happened when I wasn’t worried about coordinating with others. Going out alone removes the invisible weight of having to consider someone else’s feelings or timeline. You arrive when you want, you leave when you’re ready, and there’s no need to negotiate plans. That kind of autonomy is rare…and refreshing.
