Hello Hivers. Happy New Day to you all.
Last year, for me, was like a canvass of scattered colours. That year came and went so fast like a reflex. Honestly, I can't even provide a mental preview of my entire 2025 calendar year. And I guess it's because I didn't have any set goals. In as much as I do not like to talk about last year, I learned a thing or two about myself
When I saw this prompt, I did a quick reminisce.
For the most part of last year I was a restless person. Most of my attempted shots at life were motivated by fear and anxiety. I must confess that. I tried to hold it in, but my mind took the fall.
I fed so much on what I now term as “junk contents” on social media, till I lost my mental bearing with reality. The result? Negative self-evaluation, and misdirected motivation for the pursuit of shadows. My life was about impressing people.
But then I found out that people didn't really care. Everyone is trying to fix one or two things in their own lives.
Normally I’m not the kind of person that loves to impress people or attract unnecessary attention to myself. But last year, I found myself drifting along that lifestyle. What I gained was “burnout”.
The Lesson:
We live in a fast-paced world. Everything is trying to happen all at the same time. Everybody also seems to be so busy trying to do one thing or the other in order to meet up an imaginary deadline. I was also pressured into that rat race – trying to be somebody that everybody admires.
I lost the one true person I should be — Me.
You see, I love to read. But last year I didn't read much. I got a book (Atomic Habits) I wanted to read, in March, but I didn't go beyond the Introduction page.
I love to make real friends, to connect deeply with people. But last year, I avoided relationships. I think it was accountability I was trying to avoid, because I was living a lie. 😀
I love having quiet times. I usually think more clearly and function properly after those solitude sessions. But last year, I was just operating perfunctorily, mentally. Honestly, there was no substance in almost everything I was doing, even at work.
Now I know better, just like Maya Angelou puts it.
Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.
Whatever the context Mummy Maya was implying, I know I did the best I could last year. I now know better, that:
I must not necessarily shortchange myself to live a life just to impress people.
I must not fall for the noise of hype culture. Any lifestyle that is not bringing out the best version of me is a waste of time.
God's given me a special kind of Grace and energy for my own life's purpose that shouldn't be slighted or taken for granted.
Now that I've known better, I promise to do better, by:
Reading and finishing the book I started reading. The goal isn't just to read, but to preserve my identity as someone who reads.
Develop quality habits. I mean, where do bad habits lead one to? As James Clear puts it
Good habits make time your ally, and bad habits make time your enemy
Reconnect with key people. Relationships are important, not just for cruising but for support and accountability.
2026 would be my best year. I can feel it in my guts. 😄
Thanks for reading
