2025
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Late or not, Happy New Year. Besides, “late” is subjective
There’s something I do monthly. I call it “Discussions with myself”. The name is straightforward enough. During these “discussions”, I objectively look at the past month (objectively so as to be unbiased) and see what I did; what I did well, and what I could do better.
I recently had one of such discussions with myself and while I’m nowhere near where I want to be, I’m definitely not where I was. 2024 was a year. A year was had. Omo! Rollercoaster of a year, but I’m really grateful for it. For the relationships (that started and ended), the experiences (the good and the not-so-good), the lessons learnt, the Ws, the Ls, the successes and failures, I am grateful for them all.
Quite a bit happened last year o:
Finally stepped into the role of a Frontend Developer after skirting around it for almost a year. I still design from time to time (seeing as Graphic Design was my first love in Tech and I’m a Brand Identity Designer), but the majority of last year (from April downwards) was spent writing code. Funny how I’ve not written a line of code this year. I learned that talking is different from doing, and no matter how much you plan, you won’t know how easy or difficult something is until you actually do it. I’d always seen people talking about how difficult JavaScript is. Is it difficult? Let’s just say “difficult” or “easy” are subjective.
I honestly don’t know if I did a stellar job when it came to my friendships last year, but one thing I know for sure is that I did way better than I did in 2023. I reconnected with a friend last year, and I also took a step (or three) back from certain relationships. I remember a conversation I had with my dad sometime last year and he was saying that as we grow, we need to be more intentional about keeping and fighting for our friendships. No one wants to be in a relationship where they’re doing all the pouring and they’re not being poured into. Be a person of value. You need to be intentional about who comes into your space because those are the people that’ll see you at your highest and lowest, they're the ones you’ll run to when things look one-kind.
I had quite a number of wins last year too. As somehow as 2024 was, it had its good moments. One of them was that I had the opportunity to teach Frontend Development in a bootcamp that lasted for about 8 weeks thereabout. I really was happy to be able to communicate what I know, and I still talk with my students, months after the bootcamp. Another win? I got a gift from GOD last year. My very own gift from GOD. Very intentional GOD because GOD knows I didn’t see this gift coming. I never “esperred”.
Mental health? Was wayyy better last year too, especially the last 2/3 months. Been happy a lot, despite everything that’s going on. Do I still get anxious? Do I still worry? Sometimes, but I don’t let them weigh me down. People should honestly pay more attention to their mental health. It legit affects everything we do. If the mental ain’t right, nothing is.
On self, I was a tad “selfish” last year, and it paid off. “Selfish” in the sense that I put myself first in situations where I’d normally consider others. Don’t sacrifice so much for others that you have nothing for yourself. Don’t. That’s not a proper way to live life.
But I’m not here to talk about last year. While it’s good to look at the past and see what you did well or otherwise, you shouldn’t get stuck in it. Let me explain. Some people pay so much attention to what they’ve done in the past that they don’t take any action in the present. That’s not how to make progress.
People with LEGACY are those who look into the future, not at the past.
As you’re looking at the past, that thing you did that didn’t make so much sense, figure out how to make it make sense this year. That thing you did “good” last year, find a way to improve on it and make it better this new year. That’s what you should do when you look at the past - take notes, learn lessons, implement them, and move on - rather than get sucked in and remain there.
In all you do this year, take action. Talk is easy, action is not. Make plans, but also you ensure you bring those plans to life via actions. Successful people are doers, not just sayers.
Ever noticed that most times, those who try to bring others down with their words often have nothing that they’re doing or building? Hence, it’s easier for them to tear down someone else’s work. Don’t be that kind of person this year. Life don tuff enough, abeg.
How did we get here again? Yes, yes; discussions with myself. These “discussions” are usually reviews. A way for me to see what I did last time and how I can get better moving forward. Yours doesn’t necessarily have to be discussions, it could just be you going through your journal or your social media and seeing things that can be done better.
Bottom line? Have a review system. It helps because it shows you where you’re coming from and where you’re going and that helps you come up with plans to actualize it.
Also, be patient. Good things often take time. Don’t expect to arrive at Z from A after just 7 letters of the alphabet. Be patient.
Then, you don’t always have to start from letter A. There are people who’ve traversed the whole English alphabet before you. You can stand on their shoulders so as to go farther, faster. What am I saying? Get mentors. People who have successfully done what you’re trying to do, not just those who talk about it. No be by cho cho cho, workings gats dey.
Imagine needing to go from A to Z, but someone offers you a ride to M. That’s 50% of the journey complete already without you needing to do much. That’s the role of a mentor. They’ve done what you're about to do, so they know what to do to achieve the best results while moving speedily. They also know what pitfalls to avoid. This 2025, it’s not just about working hard, but working smart and hard.
Also, have structures in place. It saves you a lot of time and stress. Without structures and systems, the world would disintegrate into constant chaos. Systems keep you grounded. They can even help you see ahead.
15 minutes of proper planning before going to bed saves you around an hour of planning the next morning.
When you plan, you know what to do without putting undue pressure on yourself in the moment. Even when life throws a wrench in your plans, you have something to fall back to because you’ve made plans. Bottom line? PLAN! Stop doing life blindly.
This new year, preserve your integrity. Don’t be found in situations where your integrity will be called into question. Also, preserve your mind. Guard your thoughts. Everything na mindset. What you can’t envision, you can’t bring to fruition. Have healthy habits too. You’ll be surprised at how much having the right habits can improve one’s quality of life.
How did we get here again? I don’t even know but ensure you set yourself up for maximum success this 2025. Don’t hold back. Give it all you’ve got. 101%. Do something daily. Success compounds. 1% daily is better than 0% daily. Having legacy means you put in the work. Legacy just doesn’t happen on its own.
It’s a wonderful year, innit?
Welcome to 2025: your year of LEGACY.
Happy New Year.
Erioluwa. 👑⚡
What a way to start the year in April.😂
This is so enlightening. Thank you and well done.