On the other side of 2016

Staci: Personally for me 2016 was like any year of high points and low points. I think the year’s just gotten a bad rep because of all the deaths of 80s icons and it snow balled from there. 2016 was also the year of fake friends and people being revealed for the snakes they truly are... dem so I’m leaving in 2016!

Nell: Just so happens like Staci said many of the celebrity deaths were mostly 80’s stars and therefore fast forward 30 plus years all the hard liquor drinking, eating terribly and chronic drug abuse eventually catches up to us all...

Martie: I think a good resolution is maybe we should give our phones a lil ease up in 2017 and get back to connecting with people physically.

Ronz: 2016 hasn’t been the worst year for me but it’s definitely been trying at times and filled with many highs and lows. As for what I’m leaving behind, or at least striving to: body negativity and procrastination. I’m so over them!

Martie: I’ve learned a lot in 2016 and I’m looking forward to the many opportunities that await me in 2017. I’m committed to all that I am setting to achieve in the new year, and ladies I must say, this forum has been a fantastic sounding board for us, and a great support system for other women in TT, who may not find it easy to open up to their own friends, but can read our thoughts and experiences, and hopefully gain some insight or guidance from all of us. I pray we ALL move forward in all our endeavours in the coming year.

Mel: Losing my mum was a low. Becoming the matriarch of my family - the high. And starting my own magazine!

Nell: So instead of new year’s resolutions which we never keep, I say lemme ask you all what is one thing you have decided you are NOT putting up with/tolerating from 2017 onwards?

Mel: Hmm, that list long…

Nell: For me it is not allowing people to take advantage of my kindness anymore. I’m tired showing warmth and support for people who are simply not deserving of it and that goes from family to friends to colleagues to lovers.

Mel: Summary? I eh putting up with nothing other than meh child! I really can’t take fake people, especially when I know everybody business, so I know for sure when yuh fake. Also, I not tolerating women fighting down women, especially people you know that are friends. Cut that shiz out.

Nell: Girllllll that last one is on everybody’s list.

Staci: Things I not tolerating this year, lol, so I know this may be a bit childish but me ain’t care. I’m not allowing people who are “friends” with people I am no longer friends with, too much access to my life. I not tryna be any kind of friendly with people who think it’s fine to be bffs with someone who cannot stand my guts. It ain’t that serious and I really don’t need any more friends.

Nell: Girl that’s actually a pretty interesting one as I’m kinda dealing with that at the moment. Whilst I’m not one to take medicine for other people fever nor do I expect vice versa it is kinda off-putting when ‘your’ fren is still ‘over frenning’ with people who they know you no longer speak to because of said person being a fake-ass-user.

Staci: It actually gets me pretty mad tbh and I understand people are adults and can do what they want but I have a serious thing about loyalty being absolute and if you think it’s cool then hear what take your version of “loyalty” and be friends with the other person, shrugs.

Nell: I know this will sound terrible BUT… the other day right before Christmas we had a big tram accident here with six or so people dead…

Staci: Omg, I didn’t hear bout that!

Nell: Anyway, I immediately thought about all the people I knew in that area and was like let me make sure everyone okay EXCEPT her...I was like universe did you just do me a serious solid?? Did you? Alas it didn’t... Sigh

Staci: Hahahahahahahah, savage!

Nell: Because lo and behold there she was catspraddling with my friend all over Facebook tagging up a storm. Mind you she delete me eh but kept my fren.

Staci: One home girl here have the audacity to send me “HNY” greetings with big pic of she and a next maddening ex-friend (that hallelujah shall remain in 2016), so I had to point that out to her, don’t be playing friend with me one day while you cheesing with my “frenemy”. She wasn’t pleased. I wasted no time in sending a “New Year, Same Me” meme. Seriously though, I am focused. I know how I am. What I am about and who is for me. Plus I tell it like it is, mostly tactfully. I see no reason to change that in 2017. So New Year, same me. In other words, I put her on notice for when next she messages she should understand why her two blue ticks have no reply. Deuces!

Nell: So ladies, it’s my first day back out to work tomorrow (and school for the kiddies) so I will attempt to make the first Monday morning meeting of the year at 7:30am therefore requiring a 5:00am wake up, so today I plan to focus and prep to kick 2017’s butt!

Staci: Have a good day and week ladies and remember legends either go to bed at 5am or wake up at 5am!

The Girlfriends is a group of 15 women between the ages of

26 - 45 who are willing to give an unadulterated look into their own experiences. Some names have been changed for privacy.