As I sit down to write my third annual year in review, I find myself taking a different approach. Rather than focusing on achievements and goals, I want to share the deeper lessons and experiences that shaped my 2024 journey. Perhaps my story will resonate with others walking similar paths.
The Joy in Simple Moments
One of my biggest wins this year was celebrating my birthday on July 7th with genuine happiness—something I hadn’t experienced in years. I was fearful my birthday would come with the sadness it often brings, but this time, I experienced genuine joy throughout the day. I celebrated with my family at a fancy restaurant. Even though my dad wasn’t there, the day was filled with love and gratitude. I also gave back to friends in a small, thoughtful way, something I did last year, and I am considering making a birthday tradition.
A Quiet Victory
In past years, certain people in my life served as a crucial support system during tough times, helping me cope and move forward. This year, however, I found that I didn’t rely on anyone for emotional or mental support—and that was a win for me. While the year wasn’t without its struggles, realising that I handled things on my own marked a significant step in my personal growth and resilience.
Along the way, I’ve also come to understand that some friends may not be part of our lives forever. Some people are with us for seasons, offering support and guidance when we need it most, and that’s okay—their impact remains meaningful even if temporary. And with God’s strength seeing me through, it showed me that I could handle things on my own now—a quiet victory demonstrating how far I’ve come.
The Struggle to Find Purpose
One of my biggest revelations this year was understanding why I struggled with motivation. For the past couple of years, I always felt unmotivated, uncertain, and disconnected from my goals or duties. I often joked to myself that even the fear of sapa (a Yoruba word for poverty) wasn’t enough to motivate me to keep going. It wasn’t just about being lazy or procrastinating – it was about lacking a clear sense of purpose. I was working on things without truly understanding why I wanted to do them in the first place. This realisation made me understand that without a “why,” even the most carefully planned “how” falls apart.
I’m still searching for my purpose, but I know that God has been guiding me through this process. I’m now learning to take charge of my future again, while still being open to His guidance.
The Challenge of Restarting
One of the hardest lessons I learned is that taking a break from something – whether it’s exercise, social activities, or creative pursuits – makes it incredibly difficult to start again. I experienced this in various aspects of my life this year. Even when the desire to resume is strong, rebuilding momentum feels like pushing against a mountain. However, I discovered that the hardest part isn’t starting – it’s restarting after a pause. Once I managed to get started again and maintain discipline, continuing became much easier.
Lessons from Monotony
Doing the same thing over and over again can feel exhausting, especially when it seems like there are no visible results. This feeling of monotony can really undermine motivation, making you wonder why you’re putting in so much effort when the results don’t come. But pushing through those feelings is crucial—it’s about consistency and trusting that the process will eventually pay off.
Also, setting milestones to celebrate small wins and regularly reconnecting with the purpose behind that commitment can help maintain momentum even when the journey feels repetitive.
The Importance of Visibility
This year also reminded me how important visibility is, especially in the digital world. As I became less active online, I realised that I was slowly being forgotten. In the past, being present on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter has led to job inquiries and opportunities. My absence resulted in a missed chance to be seen or recognised, reinforcing the value of consistency and maintaining an online presence.
Setting Focused Goals
I also learned that trying to juggle multiple goals at once is draining and unproductive. Focusing on one goal at a time for each area of life can lead to better results without feeling overwhelmed. I’ve learned that effective time management and sticking to a set schedule are key to productivity. For instance, using tools like TickTick and Simplenote has really helped me stay organised, ensuring that I focus on one task at a time without distractions.
Managing Setbacks with Resilience
Throughout the year, I faced setbacks, whether in job applications, personal goals, or opportunities. One of the biggest lessons I learned is the importance of managing expectations. When things don’t go as planned, it’s easy to get disheartened. But instead of letting setbacks derail me, I learned that I need to keep moving forward, learning from each experience, and building resilience in the face of challenges.
Adaptability in Changing Plans
Lastly, I’ve realised that plans often don’t go as expected, and that’s okay. The ability to adapt and work around changes is key to moving forward. While plans are important, flexibility in how we approach them is just as vital. Life is unpredictable, and being open to change ensures that we remain on track, even when the path isn’t as we initially envisioned.
Looking Forward with Hope
Despite the challenges, one thing remained constant throughout 2024: I woke up each day with hope. Even in moments of deep sadness or when I spent days in bed, I never lost the belief that tomorrow could be better. This resilience, I believe, is my greatest achievement this year.
In Conclusion
I hope my experiences help you in your own journey. If anything, know that it’s okay to struggle, it’s okay to take your time, and it’s okay to change course. We are all learning as we go; the most important thing is to keep going.
As I step into 2025, I carry these lessons with me. While I may not have achieved every goal I set, the growth and self-discovery I experienced are invaluable. Sometimes, the years that teach us the most are the ones where we achieve the least on paper.
What stands out most to me is that through it all – the quiet moments, the challenges, and the small victories – God’s faithfulness remained constant. And perhaps that’s the greatest lesson of all.
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See you in the new year! 🎉 😊
Looking to plan and achieve your goals for the year? Check out the Yearly Goals Planner and Tracker! Set meaningful goals, break them into milestones, and reflect on your progress with ease. Perfect for staying focused and turning your ambitions into results.
