2024: Every day — Awesome, Some days — Superman
It’s some minutes past 10 on the 31st of December, 2024. I’m trying to write my now traditional review of the year. I’ll be going through my articles from the previous years, scrolling through thousands of pictures from the year, and crafting something worthy of publishing — all before the clock strikes midnight. Haha, classic Koyum Kolade Afolabi: every day — awesome, some days — Superman.
I’m hoping to do all these in less than 2 hours. If this post gets published before 12:00 am, appreciate me and share it with your friends.
In my 2023 Year-In-Review article, I said my goal was to push myself harder and aim higher. I think I was able to achieve that in many ways.
Let’s go through some of the most crucial aspects of my life.
Career:
It was a year of growth and a lot of jamajama. At one point, I worked 4 jobs. At another, I barely had anything to do at work. Interestingly, this year brought me the least number of rejections, though the ones I got were the most painful. The rejections were fewer because I applied for fewer roles. I don’t know if that’s a strategy I’ll stick to in 2025, but I do know that I’m bolder now — I will be gunning for the big things only. The days of managing are coming to an end. I can feel it.
Thinking about it as I write, this year was a lot. I complained about how little I wrote, but I wrote a lot — ebooks, briefs, prompts, copies — for work.
Garri no believe say e fit rise, na water give am ginger. I am once again grateful for all the people who have put me on and helped my career. Even before I knew what I was capable of, some had already seen immense potential in me. Years ago, an engineering guy got a chance to work in communications and marketing based on raw talent — and he rose to the occasion. Look at him today. (Actually, come see him in a year.)
This year, people continued to be the water to my garri, and my commitment remains the same: I will not stop rising. In sha Allah, we’ll achieve even more in 2025.
On Family:
I’ll never not talk about family, because I really can’t see life without family. But I think this is the article where I’ll brush through the challenges of family and not just the beautiful aspect. (If you want the sweet part, read my previous articles; I’m working against time here 🥲).
Maintaining family ties is rewarding precisely because it’s challenging. You can approach situations with the purest intentions, yet some family members will come all out to frustrate you. Some family issues don’t even make sense — I’ll spare you stories because you probably have yours or know of some. But here’s my takeaway: if you can’t be the glue holding the family together, at least don’t be the wedge driving it apart.
Family dynamics are messy, but when we accept that challenges are inevitable, it’s easier to forgive and move forward.
May we have the patience to deal with those who frustrate us, and the self-awareness to recognize when we’re the problem.
I’m taking enough lessons to make me a better member of the ones I already exist in, and the ones I’ll find myself in future — so, help me, God.
It was also an incredible year of friendship for me, again. My family and friends are the unshakable pillars that keep me grounded — and they showed up again this year. I am deeply grateful to Allah for their presence in my life, and I pray for even greater blessings while seeking protection from anything that could undo the years of beautiful memories we’ve built together.
This was another year of gaining knowledge and my thoughts from last year have not changed — knowledge is humbling. There’s something both fascinating and frustrating about discovering fundamental knowledge, only to find out that others have known the same thing for years. But isn’t that the beauty of growth? Every revelation is a reminder that there’s more to explore.
It was another year of travelling up and down, spending a lot of money on transport.
E reach my turn to be moving around, transport con dey compete with money for land, oya naw.
Anyway, some important lessons I learned during the year as I round up:
Conflict is fundamental. It doesn’t matter if it’s your lover, your blood, or your colleague, there will be issues. And the bad news is that it doesn’t matter how good your heart is, sometimes you’ll be the one at fault.
“…But, man is ever more quarrelsome than anything.” — Qur’an 18 vs 54
The question isn’t whether issues will arise, but how we’ll handle them when they do.
Freedom can never be given. If you seek freedom, you’ll have to take it— with sense or with force. Choose wisdom where possible.
Manage your energy as you manage your time. Not every situation deserves your attention. Sometimes, the best thing to do is not to care at all. And sometimes, you have to care with everything you have — wisdom lies in knowing which battles to fight.
Good work never stops. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been a good spouse for 25 years, you can ruin it in a month. Maybe that’s not fair, but I guess that’s the way of the world. You have to be good, and you have to be good, always.
Avoid temptation rather than resist it. If you don’t want trouble, just stay far from it.
And finally, On Resolutions:
For accountability, I’m putting it out here: in 2025, I want to write more and try things I’ve never done before. Hopefully, when you read my next review, I’ll have fulfilled these resolutions.
As I look back on 2024, it’s clear that growth isn’t always a straight path — there were highs, lows, and plenty of lessons along the way. But through it all, I’ve learned that the journey is just as important as the destination. I’m grateful for the people who’ve supported me, the challenges that have shaped me, and the opportunities that lie ahead.
As I step into 2025, I’m not just carrying forward my goals and resolutions — I’m carrying the experiences, the lessons, and the belief that I’m capable of more. The best is yet to come, and I’m ready to embrace every challenge, every win, and everything in between. Here’s to a new year of growth, change, and endless possibilities.
Thank you for being part of my journey. Let’s make 2025 unforgettable.
I hope 2025 will be better than every year before it. I’m excited for what’s to come, and I’m ready to work for what I think I deserve.
I’m ready. Are you?
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