My dear readers, after a long and unplanned period of absence, Karo’s little corner is finally back! I want to wish you a warm welcome back on the blog, and I am grateful that you are still part of this journey.
Before I begin, I owe you an apology for the way that I left… no words, just complete silence. In March, something very unfortunate happened, and since then, I haven’t been able to focus. My inspiration simply went out the window. I wanted to come back ; there were days when I would lie in bed trying to put together a few words, but writer’s block had a strong hold on me. I missed writing. I missed all of you. But I couldn’t do it, especially because one of my loved ones has been struggling. Nonetheless, I am grateful to those of you who reached out to express their admiration for my writing. You guys are the reason that I am back, despite everything.
During my time away, I received many signs urging me to return. People wondered where I had gone and why I stopped writing. But there were two moments in particular that truly got my attention and pushed me forward.
First sign : About a month ago, I came across an application for an online course in digital marketing, a field I’m passionate about. I decided to apply, but to my surprise, the registration form was long and very detailed, with open-ended questions. One of them asked : “What social work have you been involved in over the past few years?” When I first saw that question, I didn’t have a clue on what to answer. The country has been in a near-lockdown for years, leaving few safe opportunities for social involvement. As I was trying to come up with an answer, a coworker who was also applying said : “You should mention your blog.” Surprised, I replied, “My blog??!” She then explained how she believed the work I’ve been doing could have a social impact. That option hadn’t even crossed my mind. But when I thought about it, it made perfect sense. The whole point of the blog was to raise social awareness about mental health, a topic still taboo in our society. That single comment reminded me that I couldn’t just let the blog die.
Second sign : A few weeks later, I was at the supermarket when I heard someone say “Karo”. I didn’t recognize the voice but I still turned around. It was a sweet lady, a friend of my dad’s who told me she had been reading my blog. She kindly expressed her concern that I wasn’t writing anymore. Then, it happened again at church, when someone else came to me and told me not to give up. I was pleasantly surprised to see that people from an older generation not only read but also appreciated my work. That meant so much to me, because one of my goals has always been to help people, especially our parents understand the value of mental health. Seeing them embrace it truly warmed my heart.
Last sign : Even after those encounters, I still couldn’t find the inspiration or strength to come back. Until recently… I was looking for something on Pinterest and I stumbled upon an inspiring picture. It was an anonymous quote, a short one, just three simple words : “Remember your Why”, and just like that I had found my comeback topic.
The message came at exactly the right time. I realized that during my break, I had lost sight of my purpose and the meaning behind the work I was doing.
This article is a wake-up-call, not only for me but also for each and every one of you reading it. I want you to take a moment right now to reflect on your “Why”. What is the one thing you believe is your calling in life? What’s holding you back from pursuing it? Identifying both your purpose and your obstacles is the first step toward moving forward.
I know why I took this break, and deep down I always knew that I should return. But somewhere along the way, I lost sight of my “Why”. I don’t want you to make the same mistake. Life may not be ideal right now, but where there’s a will, there’s always a way ! It’s better to try and stumble than to give up altogether ; but through it all, never lose your Why. So, my dear readers: Don’t just remember your why. Hold on to it. Nurture it. And most importantly : live it.
That’s all for today people. Thank you for tuning in after 7 months and thank you for still being a part of Karo’s little corner’s family. It really means a lot. I hope you enjoyed reading this article as much as I enjoyed writing it. Until next time, stay safe and be blessed…always!!!