Hello. It's me, (not Adele. Nonye). I’m just here to wish you a Happy New Year. Yeah, I’m late to the party. But better late than never right? Thank you for your kind understanding
My excuse? I started the year with a writer’s block. It's funny, I haven't written to you since the beginning of the year because I did not know what to write in all honesty. I had a lot of ideas but they were not just clicking.
Being someone who writes in her mind first, I could not get a mental picture of any of the ideas in my head. I even blocked time off my calendar to do this several times last week but it was not just working.
It was either I write today or I write today. So here I am.
I was reflecting on my week and I realised that it's half of January. Then, I panicked because I hadn't even started some things for the year. I didn't let this escalate though I looked at the good side and the things I have done.
I started a 366-day video challenge with my friend Eunice. The goal is to share what I know, defeat camera shyness and improve my video editing skills. You will find these videos on Instagram. I finally got my place and have sent out several applications.
I am in the process of sending out poems to two magazines. I am still working on some things that I will talk about in subsequent newsletters. I am easing slowly into the year.
To be honest all the “new year, new me” ginger was not even for me this year. I entered the new year lying down in my friend's room watching videos online. No. I was not at any crossover service or praying at home. I did pray before sleeping though.
You are still the same person you were last year. The only thing that changed is the date on the calendar. But can you be a better person? Yes. New? I don't think so. You are not going to enter your mother's womb and be born again, are you? I thought as much.
The goal is to continually be a better version of ourselves. It's not about any transformational act or magic, rather it is about patterns, habits and mindsets. Change your old patterns to embrace your new life. Cultivate little habits that will build up to get you the life you want.
I entered 2024 a little delusional believing I could achieve all my lofty goals. I want to hit it hard, go hard or go home. So if you see my next post from my father's house, just know that I dropped by to see my people and go back to the hustle.
Were you expecting me will go home? Aah. No. We are not doing that here. How will I get money to travel the world? No. I did not see any rich Alhaji while in Kano nor have I seen a man that will agree to sponsor my life. Until then…
If you are like me who started the year slowly, here are some things you can do.
Spend less time on your phone. I had earlier said that phones are a beautiful source of depression. Sometimes we may want to spend 30 minutes on social media to keep up with things.
You pick up your phone by 10:00 am before you know it is lunchtime time and you are wondering where all that time went. Trust me you will get more work done if you let your phone spend some time alone possibly in a drawer.
Build a personal relationship with God aside from church and religion. Pray and study your Holy Book as much as you can. It is easy to derail from God's plan for our lives, especially in the world of today when there is always a shiny new thing’ a new skill, a new business idea, or a new money-making technique.
We no longer ask; Is this what I want for my life? We ask; does it pay well? How much is involved? So pray and tell God to do his will and direct your path.
Change your mindset. You should move from thoughts of “I will” to something stronger like “I must” Be ready and willing to stretch yourself.
Practise consistency and discipline yourself. You need to have a routine. I don't like routines as they can be boring. I want to do the next thing every day. But to build you have to love routines and consistently do the same thing every day. Little acts and steps make up the big achievement.
Rest. We work so hard sometimes that we forget to rest. We worry so much about things that we do not rest. Do your part and leave God to do his part. Please rest. Live in the moment while working towards the future. “Today was once the tomorrow you expected so much from.” Work. Pray. Rest.
Finally, be willing to fail and learn from it. Life is unpredictable. Things do not go as planned. You might fail in that business or that work. You will face challenges but be willing to to pick yourself up and continue.
Did anything in what I have said appeal to you? What are your thoughts on them? How is your year going so far? I would love to hear from you.
Cheers to your continued growth and a fulfilled life.
What I read this week.
I read a beautiful piece by Oyindamola Shoola. “Reroute: A Path to Joy and Fulfillment”
I have no words to explain what I felt after, it aligned with my recent thoughts lately on Christianity, New Year resolutions and plans.
And here is my comment on the piece.
This captured some of my thoughts most beautifully
I have always believed in planning for the year and writing down goals. But it's not a rigid process for me. I have never achieved everything on my list a hundred per cent. But I'm okay with it because while you plan, life plans. And at the end of the day, life always wins the game.
So I give room for change, for deviation into other things based on what life brings my way. I no longer beat myself up when my plans fail like I used to do years back.
At the end of the day, we all become who God has destined us to be. I have learnt to pray better over the years, instead of praying hard, and, having anxiety about my plans failing, I do my part and say "God not my will but you will be done."
Let those who plan not mock those who do not and vice versa. All of us while created in God's image are different people and will act differently. It's best to do what works for you.
Finally, reflection is something that has saved me in the last couple of years. It has helped me practice gratitude better and improve as a human. This year, I decided to be more intentional with it and see how my life will be.
I opened a spreadsheet with columns on "what I'm grateful for, what I read and my thoughts on them, and where I can improve". I also ask myself the things I can do to become a better person. How do I show more kindness?…
Pictures of the week.
The pictures below are my favourite or funniest for the week.
Picture 1: Paying rent is draining. At least I have a roof over my head to cry in peace.
Picture 2: I have not been writing and it has been stressing me out. Well, let’s say we are back to the most beautiful thing after food.
Picture 3: I have been recording a lot of videos lately and taking pictures while at it. Yes. you did not ask for the pictures which is why I am adding only one out of the thousands to this letter.
With love and everything beautiful,
Chinonyelum.
"Today was once the tomorrow you expected so much from"
Thank you Nonye.. lemme goan relax in peace..😌
I just felt refreshed after reading this 😊.
Thank you for sharing yourself with us.