January 2023.

When it clocked 12:00, how did you feel?

(Photo Credit: Google Images).

Dear Flora,

We didn’t just stumble into the New Year. We excitedly walked into it. Maybe other people weren’t excited, but I was. I had spent the last days of 2022 reflecting on what the year was for me. While it was a year of shege for many, as they claimed, it was blissful for me. I got engaged to the love of my life, and we should get married soon, by God’s grace.

I got more affluent. I am usually careful to say this to people, partially because I think the money I have made might not be counted as “riches” by people who have made it, but it is a lot to me. I can afford many things which I considered a luxury some time ago. I experienced growth in many ways. Took risks, made losses, and made more profits.

However, one question lingered. How much impact did I make? You see, while I need to make money, it is also essential to me that I impact as many lives as possible. In 2016, I started blogging, and my sole aim with the blog was to share unorthodox stories that would change the minds of many young people. People read and told me how amazing the stories were, and it felt great. But in 2019, I had to quit. I was dealing with heartbreak, and academic issues were also in my baggage.

This post isn’t to share my past with you. Even the bible advises us not to focus on the former but to look at what is ahead. I am unsure of what is ahead; I only have plans, visions, and goals. And most importantly, I am praying. Planning is never complete without prayers.

Today, I made a long list of things I want to learn this year. This list is scary because I am really good at starting but terrible at finishing. Starting something is exciting, that dopamine release, the rush, the flow, but what happens when the work becomes more demanding? It would have been easier if I was a recent graduate who was job hunting.

If I become a better person in 2023, I must be willing to work. To spend an extra hour on my work desk writing a blog post or just ensuring I finish reading the book, whatever I start, I must conclude, regardless of the price I have to pay.

You might think I am sharing all of these to tell you about me, but you are partially correct, the other truth is I am also hoping that if you have started the year without plans, you take some time to actually plan the year. Reflect on the last and find areas that need improvement. Something I tell myself all the time is, “I can be more”. I am a businesswoman and a writer, but I can be more. If you have read up till this point, I hope you have decided to challenge yourself this year, make plans and push to achieve those goals.

I wrote this today to challenge myself, so I can still share thoughtful and insightful things through storytelling. Will you like to read more?

Let me know in the comments.

Cheers to a fantastic 2023.