I was sitting in my dark room, alone, sad yet happy, tired but strong, emotional but disciplined. Yes, it was me staring at the clock, which read 11:57. I was thinking that if I went to sleep, I would wake up next year! What? Yes! It was New Year’s Eve!
In those last moments of the year, I pulled out my notebook, where I had written my serious goals for 2025. A different kind of energy and vibe was hidden behind them. With every glance, something whispered inside me, “Next year is your year! Show them all! Prove what a woman can do!” I would love to share what they are.
The goals were written in English, with the handwriting of a girl whose third language is English. They were longer than a grocery list from a mom with six children. Yes, I want a lot from 2025! Before sharing those goals, I must mention that I achieved all my goals for 2024! Well, my friends, remember: if it’s not on paper, then it’s just vapor.
It’s January 6th, so I’ve already started working on them for almost a week. One of my goals is to impact someone’s life positively. I want to be like a guardian angel and save someone’s life. Next, I wish to show the world what is happening with women in Afghanistan, to display their pain and injustice, and to assure my Afghan sisters that they are not alone. I feel confident about these goals, and I believe I will have the strength to work from sunrise to sunset to achieve them all. But one goal seems like a dream, even though I’m working for it. Maybe it feels hard because when I told some people around me, they looked amazed and gave me the “you cannot do this” look. I want to write my book!
The age of sixteen was the most transformative for me, but I can’t say it was the hardest, as I have faced even greater challenges. As my history teacher consistently tells me, I want to share what life has taught me, what the world showed me at a young age, and how I have developed this very old soul.
That’s not all—I want to have a TED Talk! I want to be on TV! I want to fulfill my mom’s ultimate wish: to see me on television. From an early age, despite her life-threatening disease, she always told me that all she wanted was to see my success and hear me speaking on TV. Then, it wouldn’t matter even when she passes because she has seen her dream come to life. Actually, it used to be her wish to talk on TV, but life is unfair!
One of the other goals I have started is "He comenzado a aprender español y realmente me encanta aprenderlo.” I want to speak Spanish fluently by the end of this year. It will be my fifth language.
Last but not least, I want to start some volunteer political activities! I want to take a step on this journey, one filled with difficulties but one that can uplift my spirit, purify my heart, and make me feel like an actual human.
I would like to ask you all to wish me luck and the best of opportunities. May this year bring you everything you wish for and truly deserve.
Happy New Year!
Helai is an Afghan refugee living in America.
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You are strong! You can do these things! I hope you are able to keep your 2024 momentum going ❤️