Kenyan content creator Nyathira has opened up about the personal lessons 2026 has taught her, describing the year as one marked by grief, healing and self-discovery.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Nyathira reflected on the first half of the year, encouraging her younger self to keep going despite the challenges she faced.
"Six months into the year and I wish I could hug January Nyathira so tight. Whatever you're going through is on the other end of you having money, baby girl. Get up and make something out of yourself."
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Her message was accompanied by a longer reflection in which she explained how the year had reshaped her outlook on life, relationships and mental health.
Nyathira said 2026 tested her emotionally in ways she had never imagined.
According to her, the year forced her to mourn relationships with people who are still alive but are no longer part of her life.
"If there is something 2026 has taught me, it is that I am strong. It is that I can get through whatever I can get through."
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itsnyathii // Instagram
She continued:
"This year has humbled me. This year has made me grieve people who are still alive but are out of my life, but I'm grieving them."
Although she did not reveal the circumstances behind the losses, she said the emotional burden became overwhelming and eventually led her to seek professional help.
Turning to therapy
Nyathira revealed that one of the biggest steps she took this year was beginning therapy.
She said her therapist recognised that she needed time away from her daily routine to recover mentally.
"This year has made me go to therapy, and my therapist was like, 'I think you need to take a break.'"
That recommendation, she said, was fully supported by her husband.
According to Nyathira, he stepped in during one of the most difficult periods of her life by taking her on a series of trips abroad.
'My husband knew I wasn't okay'
She recalled that in January, her husband organised visits to three different countries after noticing she was struggling emotionally.
"In January he took me to three countries because I was going crazy. I was not okay."
itsnyathii // Instagram
Nyathira admitted she is unsure how she would have coped without his support.
"If I was alone without my husband, I don't know if I could have survived January."
Even after those trips, she said her husband felt she still needed more time to heal.
"In February, so much was still going on. He was like, 'I don't think you have healed yet. We need to go back to another country so that you can get your mind off things.'"
The couple later travelled to Dubai, a trip Nyathira says marked a turning point.
A new outlook on life
While in Dubai, Nyathira said she made a conscious decision to stop allowing other people to disrupt her peace.
"I decided that this is my life. I am not going to let people disturb me in my life. I am not going to let people have power to keep troubling me."
itsnyathii // Instagram
As part of that new chapter, she decided to reward herself with a Range Rover, describing it as a personal apology for everything she had endured.
"As a consolation, as an apology for all the things I have allowed to slide in my life, I am getting this Range Rover as an apology to myself."
She said purchasing the vehicle symbolised choosing herself after months of emotional hardship.
'Take your mental health seriously'
Nyathira encouraged women to prioritise both their mental wellbeing and financial independence.
She argued that having a reliable source of income gave her access to therapy, travel and experiences that contributed to her recovery.
"For you as a woman, take your mental health so seriously."
She added:
"Find something that will give you money. Find something that is generating money for you 24/7."
While emphasising that her experience is personal, Nyathira said financial stability made it easier for her to focus on healing.
"Money not only heals. I don't know if I didn't have money, I don't know if I could have healed this fast."
