2022 In Review: Explorations and Experiences
“Don’t be upset because of what you can’t do. Do what you do best, live as carefree and optimistically as you can, because some people aren’t able to do that.” — Keima Katsuragi
I started 2022 by taking a big decision. I called my parents to the parlour and requested that they shouldn’t worry about me financially. I was going to sort out any bills I had by myself. They hesitated and after letting them know why I wanted to do so, my parents agreed and I became fully independent. Trying to pen down major events in my life because it was almost like a daily occurrence. I tried my best to live every day in 2022 like it was my last and it was worth it. Like most humans, I entered this year with expectations. Although I appear to be a very organised human, most of the decisions I make are on the spot. Just like the expectations I made for this year and the ones I’ll do for next. They are things I wanted to happen to me this year as much as I wasn’t seriously intentional about them. That’s why I like to call them expectations and not goals.
Let’s have a review of this year’s expectations.
1. Save more: Honestly I tried my best. I had a couple of money saved but I ended up having needs/wants that required it.
2. Spend time and make beautiful memories with the people in my life: I went out a lot and I was able to do this with several of my friends and acquaintances.
3. Go out more: I did this quite a lot and I made lots of pictures and videos. T.G.I.F. became more relevant to me this year. I kept having fun places to go to and it was all worth it. I even took a trip to Lagos which I talked about here.
4. Increase my income (God of x23 run am for me 🤲🏾): Well the God of x23 didn’t run x23 for me, but I was able to increase my income. At least in the first two months, before I got served a pink slip due to “shift in product vision.”
5. Have more time for myself: I had a few times to myself alone. I used those periods to self-reflect on my life. However, being everywhere had its disadvantages. I had less time for myself but the joy of the impact I am having on people’s lives keeps driving me.
6. Cop more gadgets: My finances didn’t let me buy many things but I hope next year is better. I did make a huge one though. I got to buy a phone for myself for the first time and it was a flagship phone I craved for.
7. Read more: I flopped so much in this. Seems there is now a rift between me and books. I can’t count a single book I read this year. In a bid to understand where I come from better, I started reading Ogwashi-Ukwu: Its People, Tradition & Cultural Practices by Nwakamma Okafor and I stopped. I even got The Asaba Massacre: Trauma, Memory, and the Nigerian Civil War by S. Elizabeth Bird, which I didn’t start. I may improve next year though, Philip is already trying to rope me into a book goal for next year.
8. Loosen up around people: This year I actually became more emotionally expressive. Plus I made efforts to loosen up. I’ve seen females who have/had a thing for me mention to my face that I was too serious over the years. I have this habit of keeping walls and making things very formal with the female folks I interact with. I did better, I was open about the feelings I felt towards people.
Academic
I came back to school in January expecting to finish up by April. February came and the ASUU strike kept me out of school till October. I came back to school for the final lap in my studies and I was able to run it successfully. I thought this day would never come. I am still trying to get used to addressing myself as a graduate. Most of the folks I know are people that I encountered on campus one way or the other. I still have mixed feelings about being a graduate and as much as I sometimes get upset about Nsukka, I have grown fond of the place. The dusty untarred roads which keep me from wearing my knockoff sneakers, to the people who apparently don’t have chicken anytime my spirit is led to cook with it, an occurrence that rarely happens.
Friendship
I met new folks this year and I got closer to some. One of my favourite moments was the opportunity to put faces to the people I met online. I was able to put together a small Bole Festival getaway for some of my friends and we had loads of fun. I got to organise house parties and game nights in my place at school and they served as an opportunity to bond more.
Relationship
I entered this year with a relationship but due to differences, it ended in February some days after Valentine’s day. It was someone who stayed in the same city as me but schooled in a different city. After it ended I decided to not work towards anything like a serious relationship. Then in April I met someone special in the place I least expected, a church night program. We became official in May but unfortunately, she had to leave for Abuja and we ended the relationship. I tried to do the long-distance relationship thing but it wasn’t just working. I am a very physical person and I don’t want to be in a situation where I can only communicate with my woman through technology.
I continued to avoid serious relationships up to today. I ended up with many failed talking stages and getting involved with a higher number of women than usual. Both dating relationships were both long-distance relationships which I am usually against. With the two experiences, I am convinced not to try my shot at such again. It is fair to note that at times I doubt I understand the concept of romantic love because while I know it is a deep affection for a woman, I could feel the same towards 4 women currently. Then am I wrong for loving these 4 women? That is, if it is actually love because what is love? These questions nevertheless don’t discourage me from wanting a woman who complements me and I complement her.
Finance
I made more money than last year and I lost more money. However, unlike last year, I am left with a small amount I saved over the months. I did an estimation based on the income from the roles I had and personal maintenance expenses. With this, I jotted down some goals in regard to my finances but I was unable to cross all. 50% is a pass mark in my book, so I don’t think it’s that bad. I’m still lacking but I’m grateful my life is more comfortable than last year.
Career
I started the year with two paying jobs but I lost one in February due to the bear market. Imagine making big plans on how to spend your salary in the new year and something as big as a pink slip turns all the plans upside down. That’s how it was for me and I didn’t need to be told to sit up in the other job if at all, I was slacking. I came across amazing people thanks to work. I am not in the dream role I want however I feel accepted where I work and there’s always something to learn from the job. I happen to start a community to drive awareness of Decentralised Science (DeSci) in Africa. It started due to the challenge I faced when I made a sponsorship proposal to attend ETHSafari. I am also experimenting with startup life, let’s see how it goes. I went hard and I will have to go harder this year.
Ls
1. Got laid off due to “shift in product vision.”
2. Lost a job due to Gmail flagging the email as spam.
3. Lost a job after 4+ stages of interviews and getting to the final stage.
4. Missed out on travelling to Portugal because I thought I’ll be writing my final exams in March.
5. Missed out on travelling to Kenya for ETHSafari due to passport issues.
6. Missed out on attending the Community Managers Festival.
Ws
1. Impacted lives in the little way I could.
2. Became financially independent.
3. Founded DeSci Africa, a community aimed at supporting scientists in Africa through Decentralised Science.
4. Had 10+ speaking engagements.
5. I wrote 6 articles.
6. I captured a lot of memories.
7. Pulled off DevFest Enugu together with the team members and volunteers.
Lessons learned
1. Life tuff.
2. It’s human nature to crave a partner.
3. A good name is better than riches.
4. You will most likely feel better with just one woman that's yours than being with multiple women.
5. Sapa is real.
6. Life is fleeting, make the most of each time you get.
Gadgets Acquired
1. Samsung S22 ultra.
2. Xbox Series X controller.
3. 5 TB external hard drive.
Personal Top 5 Albums of the year
1. Giveon — Give or Take
2. Brymo — Theta
3. Asake — Mr Money with the Vibe
4. Blaqbonez — Young Preacher
5. Kendrick Lamar — Mr Morale & the Big Steppers
My expectations for next year
1. Travel more and also visit other countries.
2. Find love.
3. Increase my income.
4. Have more stability in my life.
5. Work on impactful projects.
Shoutout to the amazing men and women in my life, I don’t take you guys, for granted. I am still uncertain about my future from here but when has that stopped me from doing my magic? If there is anything I am confident about, it is my spirit of resilience. I look forward to the lows and highs the new year brings.
Thanks for reading up to this point, I appreciate it.
