Preamble
Being an optimist is way harder than being a pessimist. I know this because I’ve been on both sides of the coin.
Being optimistic requires a lot of faith—holding on to something and believing in the best. But what happens when the best does not happen? You keep believing, and all that trust and hope come crashing down one after the other. It’s like something/someone is out to get you, innit? I used to say I am a realist, but let’s face it, reality also involves positives, and I find it hard to see the shining plus sign these days, so pessimism it is.
I said all that to give an introduction to my 2024 review and explain that I am not, in fact, thinking 2025 will be so great. I WANT it to be, with all of my being, but I’m just over wishing for something and seeing the opposite. So, how did my year go?
Update in December: I started this draft sometime in November and at that point, I was at quite a low point mentally. It’s part of a journey of healing and while I felt 2025 would not be great then, I am open and excited for how great it’s going to be now! Here’s to a budding 2025! 🥂
January
I started the year writing an article on Medium and putting out what I planned to do in 2024. I wanted a focus on personal projects. Waking up in Ibadan, I took a stroll to watch the sunrise, but that didn’t go as planned. I saw the day get brighter but I didn’t actually see the sun, lol. From what I remember, it wasn’t a bad month, mostly because I don’t remember much.
February
The month of love, yeah? Lol.
This month, I had what I’d term my first “break up” with a talking stage. It wasn’t working and we needed to stop whatever was going on and it hurt me. On the bright side, we were about to start an exciting project at work so yay 🌈
I started working on the development of Prodfolioo. Well, not me but the SWE who’s building it out. After 3 years, this was finally coming to life!
I also got a cat and went on some friendship dates.
March
This happened to be the last time I saw my mum. I went home for Easter and spent the holiday with her. I wish I stayed longer. I really do. I will beat myself up about this, hopefully not for a long time and regardless of how many times I hear that I shouldn’t, it’s not a switch I can just turn off.
April
On April 10th, I cut off my microlocs. The cut was so bad and I shaved everything off. Deep down, I know it wasn’t going to “fix” anything. I’m not one to cut or dye my hair to feel a certain type of change but wondering what to do with my hair at that point and also wanting to escape a retwist appointment, it felt like the most tangible option. I was also alone and hurting a lot, so off it went. After chopping it off, I put on some makeup in an attempt to feel good.
Towards the end of the month, barely 3 weeks after I saw my mum and was told she had a longer time to live, I got a devastating call just as I was in the airport. I had checked in about 3 hours earlier than my flight was scheduled cause I was so anxious to get there. I heard the news and for a brief second, everything around me ceased to exist; feeling like the only one in the world and I could not hear anything. After that second, all I could mutter was, “what body?” as tears rolled down my face uncontrollably. It was a wild day. I became orphaned.
May
After 6 years, I saw my sister again physically as she was around to bury my mum. I also saw one of my nieces for the first time. There’s not much to remember from this month as I was very numb.
June
I packed my bags and went to Canada to stay with my family. It felt overwhelming because it was my first time out of the continent and I was both scared and excited for what it had in store for me. I landed at 1 am in the middle of June in a city I would call home for many months. And all I could think of was, “Wow, Lagos could never o”.
I also got my first two tattoos this month.
July
I took a trip to Montreal and later London, Ontario, to meet some of my best friends. I also went to see my sister and her family in another city in Ontario. It was my first time seeing all my niblings, and it was exciting, to say the least.
Also overcame my fear of escalators because of the countless times I had to get on one in the Motreal metro station.
August
August. August. August. I shot some video content for YouTube for the second time and to date, they haven’t gone up on my channel, lol. Check out my YouTube channel btw, would love you to subscribe too.
This is me after shooting some videos and hours before my first conversation with my current boyfriend 🤭🤭🤭
September – December
In September, I was back in Ontario and got to spend my birthday with my family. Also went to visit one of my besties in her city. Also got laid off from my full-time US role two days after my birthday.
October really just passed by with nothing so eventful. I lived in the moment and had fun.
In November, I became a girlfriend and it was one of the happiest moments for me this year. Also did a lot of shopping while prepping to come back to Naij, and baked for the first time.
I was to return to Naij the first week of December. Well, I did. My consultancy contract was also terminated for my second job. If you’re reading this, I am now JOB HUNTING, lol. Anyhoo, I travelled to Port-Harcourt for the first time for my brother’s wedding. I also attended a very amazing Vision Board Slumber Party hosted by OgaHR and TheMediaGirl. I will put up a video on it soon. Hold me ransom if you don’t see it.
That’s a wrap! Thanks for reading and have an amazing 2025. looking for the greatness it has in store for us 🙂