From Mecca to Metamorphosis: My 2023 Journey

My Year in Review

If you can read this, thank you.

18:41, 10 December 2023.

I think I’m a bit rusty. So this article might be a bit all over the place — just like I was in 2023.

I’m still deciding whether this will unfold as a traditional Year-in-Review or a compilation of Lessons-I-Learned in 2023. It’s likely to be a blend of both or perhaps something in between.

The year began with realising a lifelong dream — the opportunity to embark on the lesser pilgrimage to the Holy Land. My journey to Mecca and Medina was my favourite highlight of the year. In the early days of January, I had no idea that I’d be embarking on the journey. Yet, in a matter of weeks, I lived a spiritual experience that changed my life. My Umrah experience was a wonderful one, and it was just one of the unexpected blessings that came my way in 2023. Alhamdulillah.

Dreams didn’t just come true in the first quarter of 2023, they died too. The startup I worked at had to seize operations at the end of Q1. Despite the closure being the logical step, it was nonetheless heartbreaking. I started with these guys, investing immense effort and making countless sacrifices just so we could succeed and my efforts could be validated and rewarded. But what happened, happened.

The shutdown meant I didn’t have a full-time role for some time. It also meant that I rejected some opportunities because I didn’t want to risk so much for so little. Some will call it PTSD, others will say those opportunities didn’t just make sense enough.

But I’m really grateful for my time working there; for the opportunity my friend, the founder, gave me, and the belief he had in me to head a crucial department. I’m grateful for the way the role challenged me, and how the lessons proved beneficial just months later when I found myself in a better role. At the end of the day, it wasn’t a loss — not for the team, and especially not for me.

I was without formal employment for some time, but I was never desperate. I was aired, but I also aced some interviews. I was rejected, but I too turned down some offers. Throughout this phase, I was careful, logical, and patient.

However, I acknowledge that my ability to be patient came from a place of privilege. Had I not had other means of survival, I would have likely accepted any offer that came my way. Not only am I grateful for my privilege, but I also know not to judge people’s career decisions. I could afford to cope without a full-time job (however challenging it was), but many can’t, and will rather take jobs with very ridiculous pay. And really, who could fault them for that?

Things got better a few months later and I got a full-time job that was close to what I wanted. In fact, I now juggle more than one job. But mehhhhh, this isn’t about glorifying the hustle or endorsing the relentless demands of capitalism.

Career-wise, it was a rewarding year. I achieved significant impact, found stability, made money, and gained considerable knowledge. I believe in my potential for further improvement and growth, but I will not allow my ambition to discredit my progress. While it’s true that I have to do better, it’s also true that I’ve not done badly — at all.

.

Letting go of past events doesn’t come easily to me, so there were unresolved matters that lingered in my memory. This year, I made a conscious effort to make peace with someone who really hurt me. It’s one of the best things I did, because not only did I make peace, I re-validated that the fall-out wasn’t my fault — which I got an apology for. Things are good now, and I also learned that I could have done better.

I’m grateful for the level of composure I maintained throughout this year. In moments when life seemed confusing and nothing made sense, I remained calm. Even during an unfortunate bike accident that could have been very nasty, I was unbelievably calm. I’ve learned that staying calm not only brings clarity of thought but also empowers you with a sense of control over the situation.

There’s never been a year where I acquired more knowledge as much as I did this year, yet my most obvious reaction to the knowledge was humility. I think the more you know, the more you know that you don’t know, that there’s a lot more you need to know and that there’s even more that you’ll never know. I think seeking knowledge is enlightening and liberating, but beyond that, it’s humbling.

This year, I lived like a nomad. For the better part of it, there was no actual place I could call my own. I moved from city to city, a constant shuffle that meant I never quite felt settled, not even in what was supposed to be my primary residence

Keeping relationships alive is a challenging task. Juggling a career and all facets of personal life often makes it unfeasible to dedicate time to many people. Regrettably, some of my friendships didn’t survive the year, but I’ve come to terms with this sad reality. This reality makes me more thankful for every phone call, every banter, and every bit of support I receive from my friends. It’s incredibly touching to know that despite the rigours of life, some still make the effort to constantly connect with you, share their time, and offer their support. For this, I am deeply grateful and full of love.

.

Generally, it was a year of difficulties. The Nigerian economy faced severe challenges, leading to widespread hardship, which I felt too.
Also, the situation in Gaza weighed heavily on my mind. May peace return to the land of Palestine.

.

When I wrote my 2022 review, I said 2023 would be a year of many firsts and bold decisions — and it was. I had many answered prayers, received some of the best validations of my life, handled (most of) my problems so well, and indeed took some bold steps. Alhamdulillah.

.

As for my plans for 2024, they’re quite straightforward. My goal is to push myself harder and aim higher, with the hope of achieving better and more fulfilling results, in sha Allah. So help (and bless, preserve, guide, protect) me, God. Amen.

.

PS: I said thank you at the beginning of this piece because you’re the reason I wrote it. If it were just up to me right now, I might not have. But I know that when I revisit this article in the future, I’ll be glad that I wrote it. So, thanks for being my motivation to write.

PPS: I miss sending you mails. 🌚