2022 in 2,022 words

If 2019, 2020, & 2021 taught me anything, it’s — try dey document, e get why! [bold of you to think I know].

This yearly ritual has afforded fluidity to my writing as you have taken the form of water. Hopefully, I no carry us go where I no know.

What in the name of Uncle Adam was I thinking when I ended 2021 in 2,021 words with  Pembrokeshire’s proverb “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” We shall see about that this year.” If my ancestor’s ancestor ate one apple, who am I to eat 365?

I’m excited about ’23. The reason being ’22 held a glimpse of what the future holds. You know what they say about the reward for hard work; more work.

The Constant K’s:

• Running: I tried running weekly.
• Lagos traffic & back pain [epp me, epp me!]

• God showed up!
• Hot tears [even under AC]
• Brymo, Cavemen, Asake, & FKJ on repeat 
• Discovered new music
• Amala
• Snapped the sun
• Hospital visits [Malaria & I wore the same trouser]
• Applications

January

I hadn’t settled in before I knew a long ride awaited me. Amidst the frenzy of the New Year, I brought out my phone in Church at about 12:03 am to a blank screen. Wahala! Wahala! Wahala! & with that, the 2022 season began; phoneless-ly.

A new phone was a forced buy. The rest of the month involved me picking up a morning exercise routine and battling traffic. I sat in loads of strategy sessions that involved expensive language; I also presented on Financial Inclusion.

I attended the NYSC Lagos Musical Band’s Annual Dinner, influenced for an organic made-in-Nigeria social venture, Dreamscape, & anchored a send-forth for a boss I admire, Mr. Toye Soladoye. The month climaxed with rain. The rain of elections fell in my Church’s Youth Organization & guess who likes to play in the rain but caved? Me!

February

All attempts to get pen and paper involved ended in mushy poems. I was later commissioned to write an anniversary poem for a lover’s lover. Olugbala, am I a wood?

I started documenting random activities. I’d sit alone in meeting rooms, look out into the waters & sing or speak forth into the universe. Sometimes, I imagined I was presenting, other times, I was tidying up my “TedX talk”. I love the concept of Financial Inclusion but not what I did in my 15 months as a Product Manager. More than anything, I wanted to feel like a fish in water. In a bid to love myself, I decided to redeploy from FI to Marketing Communications. I love writing & telling stories, so why not.

Strapped with a knee brace &  No. 17108,  I ran the 10km Access Bank Lagos City Marathon after spending the night at South. That day, I discovered a new love.

[Year to date]

March

Beyond eating an apple daily, I visited Apple Stores a lot. I’d take in Macbooks, but not the prices. Anyways, I began the “Bible in One Year” challenge & pulled the plugs around day 240 after missing 21+ days. The little habits did compound and I was not ready to reside there.

I discovered Tolu Akande’s Orin Adura [you’re welcome]. I turned 26 on the 2nd & it was one to remember. Are you contemplating creating a wishlist? this is that sign. Three days after made it 3 years the love of my life closed his eyes. I know not how I have survived. I decided to carry the sun & moon by my side. Now they go everywhere I go.

I facilitated Dataleum’s Digital Entrepreneurship Course. Regulators also interviewed me on behalf of my employer [interesting conversations].

I shaved off my beards [never again!] & wrote another love poem.

April

In a breeze:

• I redeployed teams successfully
• I spent time with Dataleum [Here]
• Rediscovered my penchant for documentaries 
• I was gifted Vagabonds! By Eloghosa Osunde [my fav read of ’22]
• I watched my best friend walk down the aisle [top 3 moments this year] & spent time on the beach with favs.

May

In a breeze:

• I became a plant dad yet again. I got a Cheese plant [Lulu, the Monstera got infected]
• I resumed the office gym [before white hairs will sprout inside Lagos traffic]
• Grief reared its head
• Applied to Karen Napier Scholarship [ended in ela oju kan]
• I won best dressed in the Cultural Day Celebration [M&CC]

June

• My chest did skrrrrr gidi gibim pa. It beat & my body scattered its legs on the dance floor to the beat
• I traveled to Abuja for the first time [The serenity ehn. Who did we offend in this noisy Lagos?] Hotel accommodation during the APC primaries was an Olympic sport. Money dey this Nigeria!
• I attended the Annual Marketing Conference. 
• I attended an art exhibition with Toju Clarke on display [investment advice: purchase his art now before it moons].
• I dusted my football boots out of retirement for the Access Visa football tournament. Guess who didn’t make the final team list. Me.

July

When I started writing in 2015, I had no idea how far the tides will take me. On the journey, I’ve always looked for opportunities to pour forth. I volunteered to facilitate the Content Creation Track for the EmpowerHer Community [Non-Technical Bootcamp 1.0]. Just when I thought all was smooth, Karen Napier sent a love letter. “I regret that your….” Some rejections sting, this did. 

I participated in the  Future of Customer Experience seminar, picked up my bags, & headed out to Kano. 

I loved my stay in Kano. I love how traditional the city is. Life looks simple. People in kaftans & on bicycles. Brown dusty roads, good suya, affordable transport, etc. Maybe it’s a visitor’s bias, but life looked slower, & calmer. It’s one city I wish to experience in-depth — a baptism by immersion.

July remains a special month for me. On the 24th of July, Eloswag got into the Big Brother Naija house. For many, it was another normal housemate but to me, eiiiiii! You know that feeling when you’re living out the days you spoke of, that’s exactly how I felt. Proud is an understatement. Eloka na werey shaa, just putting out there. I sat on the content team & experienced media relations on a different pedestal.

I ended the month playing same sequences we played on parade during NYSC. 

August

Orange & Brymo colored the month:

• I celebrated Dataleum’s 3rd Anniversary & proceeded to have my year colored orange. I resumed my Integrated Branding Experience at Orange Academy. I played a lot more football. Celebrated father’s posthumous birthday. I hope Brymo’s mouth did not ache because I played all month. My favorite uncle came visiting & I loved it. 
• I took on more job functions & had to figure stuff out.
• I participated in my first sip & paint & developed a new respect for artists.

[Vincent Van Gogh, I hope I made you proud]

• Panshack got married & I met a bundle of art [secondary happiness is a beautiful thing].

• I ended the month with a BXNX Album listening party experience, one I loved.

September

A calmer version of July. Highlights were:

• I got admitted into the ALX Financial Analyst Programme. 
• I cleared my account & got myself a laptop [all die na die]. You too deserve good things. No be everytime savings, sayings. If you like, don’t save, you hear.
• My back wanted to end me but I chose life. I picked up Yoga.
• I modeled for my current employer & I loved it! Hot boy stuff.

October

• Orange Academy started to squeeze the juice out of me. I struggled & in between, I questioned the pursuit of postgraduate studies.  Adult education is hard. After all, everything is vanity. I wrote some of my best marketing materials yet. 
• I masturdated a lot [just lookatew. “New year, new me” in the mud.] 
• I attended house parties & rediscovered my love for dancing. In my head, Micheal Jackson got nothing on me. The same way I’ve won Grammys in my bathroom. 
• I wrote press releases, helped plan ArtX from an angle & did some really good stuff at work.

November

I am certain the A in Adesoji is Art. Yes, art, not amala. 

If I was offered the chance to live in the ArtX exhibition, I’d jump at it. Did you see the lush of colour, the stories some paintings held, the emotions? Omo, babes dey this Lagos meh!  Kai! I loved everything about it. I love how my six senses were evoked – eargasms, eyegasms, etc. Art is art.

Orange Academy was particularly exciting during this period, maybe the courses, the people, or the sight of the finish line I couldn’t wait to run into. It reinforced not knowing what I want but knowing I do not want a career in anything that does not allow me to be creative.

Wakanda Premiere took me to the Cinemas, finally. Such a beautiful movie. Folake got married! I attended my team’s strategy session & ended the month applying myself & getting on waves I plan to ride – in all wholesomeness.

December

The Christmas that did not Christmas. I wonder what children look forward to this holiday. The euphoria that accompanied Christmas is somehow absent in the air. Streets aren’t littered anymore, Christmas clothes aren’t been spoken of, nothing. Or are we that old now? Abi, or is it me? 

I completed my IBX at Orange Academy. I look forward to what I do next. I started & ended the year in the hospital. Thankfully, nothing severe. Praise the Lord somebody! I was told I needed to cut down on the consumption of certain food including  [amala] because something something level is high. Imagine the heartbreak. Did I listen? No. Well, not yet.

Ever since December 22nd, 2015, I’ve believed in the concept of the Christmas miracle & look forward to it. Miracle no kuku dey taya Jesus. & Santa came bearing gifts.

I attended Cavemen’s show & boy do I want to sleep & wake up in the Cave. For Christmas, I slept all through. How? why? Is this what adulthood is?😿

If you think my year was all roses & daffodils, you must be joking!

’22 in L’s  [walk with me]

Starting 11 [ 4-4-2]

• I had to forfeit a $20k scholarship [partial] & 7+ admissions because sapa =sapa. In conclusion, maybe it’s not just time. 
• I received more love letters [rejections] than any other year. Eii God! Dem no even allow person breathe. Hits back to back like Mr. Money With The Vibe. 
• I procrastinated & was inconsistent with: my Bible plan, Duolingo lessons, skincare routine, early morning exercise & meditation […]
• My portfolios [crypto & stock] took Lagbaja’s Kon Kon Below song personally
• I dropped out of the ALX program & Room fellowship. It made me question my desire to pursue Finance. 
• & best in reading goes to……. [India Vs Nigeria] was kuku 100-0

• Zero external publications to my name [one would think I did not write]. Drafts yapa!

It never really dawned on me that some rejections are because you are overqualified. Well, we’ll never know, but make we use that one hold body.

I can’t explain a lot of things but I’m grateful I:

• got better at regulating [if you’re an overthinker, you’ll understand how draining it is to always be on the edge]. I caught myself like police & thief more often & I quietened the voice. 
• am extremely grateful for music – the indies I discovered on Youtube, Classical music, & rain sounds. Life is so rhythmical if only we stopped ourselves & be. 
• Olodumare showed me the Venn diagram [won gbe wa!]
• experienced friendships & allowed myself. 

I learned that “confused is a good place to be” & that remains one of the most poignant statements yet.

I think I’m finally ready to overcome my fear of swimming. Ironic how I hate water but love the rain. I think I’m open to another dog. Also ready to stop being my own village people & get out of my own way. I think… let’s see how it goes.

You see, me & my guy upstairs don talk some kind talk, so I’ll just allow him to do his thing. I hope this year is soft & tender for me; you & yours too.

Cheers to 2023! Ke ni nice year.

Yours Babaly,

Babavin.