Merry Christmas! 🎉
A fair deal or genesis. An upright choice of words and attitude so to say. A different opinion and a new perspective. I thought it would be kind, rosy to say the least. It began with prayers in my parent’s living room. And it ended in my sister’s apartment. Interesting. A lot of things emerged, you would not believe.
My level of maturity and understanding from the beginning of this year up until now is like moving from a train to an airplane. It was an exhausting journey. I had to constantly do away with my old beliefs to embrace new ones. I had to act like a lot of things did not hurt, so I do not get mocked. Fighting new battles every step of the way just because you have to keep moving. Untying every knot just to prove a point.
Many times I just wanted to run. Many times I ran. That had always been my coping mechanism. I would rather “use one to block another”. That’s how I always got past things. Trying to be firm and hold on to the little dignity I had left. What a year!
I met many new people, entered a new dimension of life, attained maturity, flipped the coin, and please let’s not get started on my bad choices because I thought it was cool. {In the end, you have to take responsibility}. I can safely say I started living this year. I have been alive these past years, but this year I lived, {mostly the latter part of the year}. I can imagine how pitiful I must have looked to anyone who came across me before now.
In 2022, I took the bulls by the horns and reached out. I took a leap of faith and a pill of “what do I have to lose?” to encourage myself. I started to make a big deal out of my writing career because this was something that came easily. I made a resolution to myself at the beginning of the year, that I owed this year to myself and I was going to make the most of it. And so it began.
I was so lost when it began. I just wanted to make my money, and it wasn’t coming. I became so frustrated and isolated myself. I saw a few people win and I was beginning to overlook their steps. Not until I realized and sat to think if this was my passion. All I wanted then was money and love. Sadly, I knew not the meaning of both. Not the slightest idea of what it could possibly mean. I just thought, when I start, everything else will come easily. Jokes on who? ME!
Sometimes this year, building my writing career drained me and left me dry. I was pale fighting so many dramas at the same time. And the times when I was literally falling apart or tearing down, I still have to show up because nobody cares. Not one person gives a single fuck about how you feel. Those were terrible times, and I am sure you can relate. I had to pick myself up and keep going because nobody will do that for me.
I came to the realization that vulnerability is the ultimatum and it is also a choice. But if you do not make that choice on time, it will hunt and diminish you and I wish I knew better earlier.
My biggest achievement this year was making a name for myself and for a beginner, I did make a statement. Even though the hurdles and thorns, building new connections, and meeting new people pushed my career in one way or the other, I began fulfilling and manifesting my dreams and this is just the beginning. That made me so happy. My LinkedIn page improvement made me happy the most. Little wins.
I got closer to God. I am so proud of myself for this. I had a taste of what it meant to be peaceful because all I needed in 2022 was peace of mind. Nobody got you like God does. Trust God, and believe. He works. He is peaceful. He knows what is best for you. If something happens to you, it is probably for the best. Pray and believe. Do more of that in the new year.
ON LOVE 🪄
There isn’t much to say here, we go again next year. Or maybe not. What do you want to hear that you have not heard in my poems? Let’s move on please.
BACK TO BASE ✍🏾
I did not do well with friendships this year either, but intentionality is my theme next year. Anything worth doing is worth doing well. So if I do you good, it is intentional; if I do you bad, it is intentional {just kidding}. To the few friends I met this year in the course of networking and building my career, thank you. People are making waves out here you would be surprised, dearest. Why are you procrastinating?
As I sit to write this letter to you, I reflect on my wins this year; I made a lot of progress, and you should be happy for me. I also reflect on my bad decisions; the things I did wrong and the ones I could have done better, but due to ignorance and carelessness or lack of accountability? It is passed, so all that can happen now, is the best. I sincerely apologize if my actions hurt you one way or the other in 2022. Believe me, it wasn’t intentional.
As you step into the new year, be truthful. I learned it sets you free. I can attest to that too. So let’s do this: From the first day of the new year, at least 5 truths and a lie? You would be a saint before January 31st. I also want you to be intentional next year.
Gifting someone? Be intentional.
Loving someone and God? Be intentional about it. Be conscious.
Your friendship? Treat it like that is all you got.
You and I need to make our hearts a better place starting now.
My favorite person, thank you for being there when I started this journey. Look at me now, I am sure you are proud because I am. I learned a lot. Thank you. Going forward, I am going to do better and be intentional. I suggest you should too. And to be honest, you are doing very good. 2023, go harder.
By the time I am writing a letter like this to you next year, I want to be in a better place than I am right now. Big wins, big bags, major steps, and cheques. Try as much as possible to check yourself every time and be self-conscious. Make a move and make an impact. Try to be comfortable learning new things and you cannot be right all the time. Learn to listen too.
And with that, I am signing out of 2022, unto the next. Thank you for making this year meaningful for me. I hope I was able to do the same for you. I really could not have done all of this without you. Let’s converse better in 2023. I am rooting for you.
TALK SOON (2023): MORENIKEJI A. ODEBIYI
Shade Odebiyi's Creatives. 
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