The Year Of The Cocoon: Reloaded 2026 ✨🤍

It feels so weird writing again but I’m doing it.

Let’s go waaaaay back to when I wrote my original blog ‘The Year of the Cocoon 2017’

Turns out… that cocoon had a few extension packs and we're here again in my shell in 2026 lol

Some butterflies take weeks.

Apparently mine wanted a full architectural review before leaving. (Sounds about right based on my brain)

Looking back, I don’t think I’ve been hiding from life, I think life has been quietly preparing me for it.

The last nine years has definitely had its rollercoasters… but i’ve definitely been less active on socials (until now) even more low key than usual,

Fewer announcements.

More silence.

Less proving.

More building.

Typical Ali stuff but on OD!!

Whilst everyone else seemed to be racing towards the next thing, I found myself becoming protective over my peace, my energy and my future.

Not because I stopped believing, I just FINALLY realised that everything doesn’t deserve access to me.

I’ve learned that not every invitation deserves a yes and not every opinion deserves a response.

Do you know how hard it is to stay quiet when you really wanna say something slick lol

This has been my POV for a while now

cartoon eye twitching meme

Not every relationship deserves another chance.

(Please, please, pleasssse let that sink in, do no spike your cortisol for a man or woman)

And as much as this may be frustrating, some doors stay closed because they’re protecting what’s waiting behind the next one.

People often mistake quiet seasons for empty ones

But anyone who’s ever planted something knows…

’Nothing looks impressive while the roots are growing’

I’ve spent this time learning.

Healing.

Creating.

Failing forward and loving it

Starting again (a few times because I wanted to)

Questioning everything (daily occurrence having ADHD)

Then somehow finding myself all over again.

It almost feels like a rollercoaster going at just the right pace to keep me excited yet curious

Some days I’ve had some really intense thoughts thinking

Have I missed my moment?”

Then I’d remember…

Butterflies don’t compare flight times, they emerge when they’re ready.

Soooo, if you’ve been feeling like your life has been on pause… Maybe it isn’t.

Maybe you’re in your own cocoon…

Maybe all the things that feel slow are actually making you stronger.

Maybe the quiet isn’t punishment, it’s maybe it’s preparation.

If you’re anything like me… You’ve probably outgrown places that once felt like home

Conversations that no longer fit. (Emotional regulation has been my saviour) or versions of yourself you’re grateful for… but no longer recognise. - That’s growth

It’s uncomfortable and can be lonely….occasionally it’s expensive. (Nobody tells you healing comes with a priceeee)

But it’s worth every part of it.

Because one day… The people who wondered where you’ve been will suddenly ask,

“Where did all this come from?”

That’s when you hit them your best Denzel smile

Denzel Washington Smiling

Because they’ll only be seeing the wings.

Not the years it took to build them.

So here’s to the cocoon.

To choosing peace over noise.

To protecting dreams before announcing them, becoming before being seen.

And…… to trusting that God knows exactly when the butterfly is supposed to fly.

I don’t think my wings are fully out just yet… or maybe they are and I'm stalling... intensly thinking

But I can feel the cocoon getting tighter. (Literally the way I’ve eating, needs to be curbed quickly... Currently a size 12 and needing to fit in a size 10 yesterday) lol

And if that’s a sign of anything…

It’s that they’re almost ready.

... See you soon

Aliyana x