Dear You x Welcome to the In-Between

Dear You,

If you’re reading this blog for the first time, WELCOME! If you’ve been rocking with me since Dear Young Believers, Welcome Back! If you have no idea what’s going on, Welcome, Welcome!

While I feel this creative bug itching, I figured I would tap in and just write a quick welcome back letter and share where I am at and what’s been going on with me over the past year. 

I’m not sure where we last left off – but I got laid off from my job with The Literacy Lab last year in June which left me in the weeds trying to scramble to find a job. But actually let’s pump our brakes even further….I MOVED BACK HOME TO THE 757! I have been living at home with Cleve & Sobi since June 2023. I secured a role as a Literacy Coach with the Literacy Lab. In that role, I was responsible for supervising a team of 15 and training about 50 people in their role to help them work with children. Due to budget cuts, we got laid off. Over the summer, I remember praying before an interview and hearing the Lord say as clearly as you are reading this: “The job is yours if you want it.” Now I felt like I was being cocky but He repeated this 3x so I knew that the job was mine. So during the 2024-2025 SY I served as. Title I Interventionist at an elementary school in Suffolk, VA. Now when I mean to tell you that the Lord STRETCHED ME!? I mean that! Y’all remember that one time in DC…well yeah let’s just say that the Lord really pushed me in that area. 

I feel like over the course of this school year, I was challenged with the way that I respond to people and I do mean challenged. As in not responding harshly or as harsh as I could. I was grown in my ability to work and communicate with a lot of adults, students and different personalities. I grew in my leadership skills. 

Outside of school, I was able to grow in therapy and emotionally. As of recently, I have started back on medication which is not new for me but I am really trying to be consistent so that my therapist, psychiatrist and I, can see a notable change to continue to tackle some of the more deeper issues in therapy.

Lastly, the final piece of good news that I want to randomly share is that I am back in the 700 club with my credit score! I haven’t seen that number since college. My mental health definitely played a part in the decrease considering that when things would get tough, I would just frivolously spend money on whatever. Now, I tithe – by pouring into either a local church, organization, or simply giving to friends, family, or less fortunate. I work two jobs to ensure that I am able to place more money into my debt and being intentional with my spending. 

Now you might be asking – well what was the purpose of coming today and updating and writing a blog? Great question! I am about to be back in transition prayerfully as I am looking for a new job. Although I did grow a lot at my last school, I still am trying to put me first. For the rest of 28 and entering into chapter 29, I told myself that I am going to create the life that I deserve and want. This includes removing myself from spaces and places that don’t serve me as well as continuing to learn and grow as I move through these spaces. So I am back in the job market, but I am hopeful to have strong traction this time around. 

I wanted to write to share and be creative, to let someone know to hold on, to update my family of yous, to be open and vulnerable, and to be available.

With that being said if you need anything please know that you can always reach out to,

Me.

I love you! You got this! Keep going!

Follow me on social media: Instagram – zoetyava or dearyouxme, Tiktok: ASAP_Zoe