It's a déjà vu again! As always I’m keeping it old-school with my pen, writing my “Year in Review” as opposed to posting an array of 100 pictures for my reflection. If only I could stay consistent with my writings, maybe I would have made a killing off stringing words together. Unfortunately, I have a specialty in laziness and procrastination. Speaking of which, I have over-procrastinated writing this, but as per I no get plan gree for anybody; I have been able to put myself together to script the chronicles of this year. Lets get on the ride baby! 🏎️
Bold of you to just jump on the ride with me, what if I drink and drive? Well, do not fold, I’m not the most responsible person out there, but I have got some golden pedigree to maintain, so I gats do normal. Just for whatever its worth, I took the pain to read my 2022 review and sensed a lot of sanguine expressions in my choice of words. I’m happy for the dude that wrote that, it must be very nice. I don’t however think I was able to maintain that spirit in 2023, so if that’s the barest minimum of what you expect, you might as well save yourself some time and stop reading here. 😒 I will partly blame my grumpy state on the fact that I disciplined myself to stay off coffee throughout the year. Don’t ask me how I survived, I don’t know myself.
2023 was actually “ear and dear” with rollercoaster of emotions thrown around, but you remember whatever they said about always showing up irrespective of how you feel? Yeah, I took it personal and pretty seriously. I’m now way more convinced that this is what is expected of anyone that calls themself an ‘‘Adult”. So, when people come around and throw flimsy excuses around to justify their shitty behaviour, I just dey laugh inside my head ni. I mean, its hard for my face not to sell me out, but I don learn the hard way. My recent life-engagements has taught me a lot about emotional intelligence, and I’m proud of how far I’ve gone putting it into practise. 🤩
Speaking of emotional intelligence, it helped me further appreciate the fact that I’m not that smart and I can ask for help when I need it. I still dey learn that part, but I didn’t bother wasting my time competing with someone that I’m meant to learn from. On top of that, I stepped up my noise making skills when and where it mattered the most; not on social media or Linkedln or any of that rubbish that you people do there.😒 Little wonder why my direct manager dey fight tooth and nail for me, me wey no too sabi like that. Well, it’s an ongoing mystery to me as to why my Salary comes in every month sha. Since they are convinced that I’m bringing in the requisite value, who am I to question their judgement? 🤷♂️ I’ve however failed to convince my Tennis coach on that bit.
In the interim, I have been boldly riding this fake life by putting my legs in uncharted waters. As my Gen Z geng will scream; YOLO!!! 🤩 It is apparent that most of us don’t really understand what we’re doing at the beginning and we’ll figure it out along the line, so why should I not marry my delusion and confidence together and just GO FOR IT! Well, fcuk around and find out they say, Omo I dey find out, make I no lie, but in the words of my twitter comrades, I have zero plans to fold and I no go gree for anybody. I will keep riding on this delusion and see where it will eventually dump me. If I’m lucky enough, I will come out with a win, and if otherwise, I will come out with delusion tagged lessons. Irrespective, I will not end up empty handed, so why not, if not? 🤷♂️
I didn’t live in delusion all year round though, I tried living in the moment for some part of it. I think I did good job documenting that in my Idan for obvious reasons write-up. Yeah, I visited new places, took some of my hobbies more seriously, had fun, tried out new things, made some more friends and most importantly, cut some people off with axe hahaha. 😂🤣 Well most cutting off were unconscious though, I’m not good at burning bridges except that you don’t truly have sense. If you don’t have sense, you can be sure to have me cut you off. But if you be OG and we don’t talk frequently, no vex, I no cut you off, I’m only just adulting. You fit buzz me anytime, but no come bill me oo, na trenches I dey ooo.😂🤣
Living in the moment came with its own trials though even though I did my bit, but shey adulting resemble your mate ni? Despite my claim of showing up consistently even when my mental health was as low as Glo’s network, I powerfully failed two “exams” in December alone. Eh shock me baje hahahaha 😂🤣 Something that hasn’t happened to me in over a decade. But I’m glad I took the failure well. They say its part of character development, same resilience that Manchester United have taught me all year round by losing games like what I don’t understand. Well, looks like the character development has paid off though, cause rival fans abused the hell out of me. Well my friend, what is life without a little bit of disappointment here and there?
Speaking of disappointment, I’m sure my Sunday school teacher during my pre-teen days will be grossly disappointed in me. I actively stopped going to Church sometime in the year and never paid attention to Sundays. Why did I stop? I’ll summarise it as I was looking for closure on some things. I’m however considering going back cause I ran into a reel on Instagram that said some things and I also read a book titled “Why Has Nobody Told Me This?”. Well, I’m listening to Christian Music while typing this on New Year’s eve even though its the first time I’m listening to such in monthsss! I’m not bragging about it though, but if you wan judge me, na your wahala be that. I no really send you if we’re being honest. 👀
Don’t mind me oooo, I need help please, but its also okay not to want help. Some Nigerians and their level of delusion at the last general election was a typical example. 😒 I had a few personal ones in that same boat, but I no even dey stress myself about anyone. In the very long run, we’ll all be alright and die eventually, so why should I stress myself. I think that’s one important bit I learnt myself. There’s no point allowing someone that wants to drown drag you into their pit. Fortunately for them, when folks like that come back, I take Olamide words too seriously cause I go just kala and daju pa! We’ll all be alright sha! Ma fur!
Wo! I’m tired of writing. yawns! 🥱 2023 was fun and not fun while it lasted. We however thank God for sparing our lives. I hope to consolidate on victories in 2024 and learn from the mistakes and mishaps made in 2023. I want to believe you have the same mentality, but if not, na you sabi. Irrespective of what your plan for the new year is, me, myself and I are powerfully going into the new year with my delulu mindset and a shit load of confidence. I no wan gree for anybody, so I need both of them as much as I can get. If you need some, don’t hesitate to reach out and I will be happy to help.
Oh! I didn’t talk about my personal goals. Well, I moved closer to some and farther from others. I’m sorry, I prefer a private life so I’m not exactly happy to print them out to the public, plus some are not even time bond, except sey some people don dey ask me when I go bring wife come house. Well, all of you should go and calm down, maybe I’ll be lucky with my love life in the coming year. Until then, in the words of Aproko Doctor, please drink water and stay healthy, but if you want to choose otherwise, na you sabi oooo!
Until my next writing venture, which should be soon, cause I have a few drafts in my cupboard, I'll bid you farewell into 2024 with the words of wisdom from the Bariga born Philosopher, who eloquently puts it as:
Oya make we jinja, make we jinja jinja oo;
Go follow your lead, you be leader, leader oo.
In other words, you’d be the one to motivate yourself and lead yourself to wherever you want to be in life. Help yourself and stay woke!
This is where I end and say Félicitations pour une nouvelle année!
Totally enjoyed reading this! 👏🏾 Kindly send some ’delulu’ and confidence my way. Hopefully you complete and publish those drafts soon, I’d really like to read more from you. You write so well!