There are days that months happen, there are months that years happen, and then there are years that decades happen. 2023 felt much more than a typical year for me, one in which the experiences felt like a decade’s worth.
So much happened this year. It'll take more than one article to unpack. However, here I'll focus on the Firsts. 2023 was a year I rediscovered my old sparks, applied my old strengths to new areas, and challenged myself from my erstwhile comfort zones.
Early in the year, I migrated from Nigeria (Joined the Japa Wave), my first time leaving the African continent. Traveling has never really been my thing. Leaving Nigeria was a decision that accumulated in bits till an experience with emergency health services in Lagos drove the final nail. This is another story: unpacking my Japa experience.
It was a first, and leaving what I've called home was strange, and it's brought so many experiences and other Firsts.
I've always been a creature of Habits. It's a blessing and a curse because it's brilliant when I pick up good habits, and the consistency hones and improves the habit. However, the same thing happens when I pick up a bad one. The luck of the draw.
This year, I took my health more seriously than I've ever done in my entire life. I knew I had the gift of consistency, and I decided to channel it into achieving healthier habits. I cut off carbs drastically, ate at the same daily periods, stopped night meals, and reduced my sugar intake. It was one of The most arduous journeys I have taken.
I weighed 262 pounds in December 2022. I wasn't happy with my body and my diet. I enjoyed my meals but knew my body was going in the wrong direction. One of the physical red flags for me was when I could not easily tie my shoelace standing up. Anyway, there may be a longer article on how I dropped to 187 pounds while gaining more muscle than I have ever had.
Back to firsts, this year, I was in the gym every month of the year for the first time. I worked out at a gym for 181 days out of 365 days (almost 50% of the year). I took the consistency I had in areas of my life, like work, and applied it to this area of my life, and it worked wonders. Hopefully, I talk more about this particular first in a dedicated article.
Again, another first for me was running a Marathon. I was never an athletic child, teenager, or an early adult. I never dreamt of running a marathon. Once I started at the gym, I noticed I enjoyed running. The high at the end of a good run was thrilling; I felt like Superman. It eased my mind and was refreshing after a long day of work. So I kept running. Then, I saw an opening for my city's marathon and registered and trained to run for it.
It was stepping out of my curated, non-athletic personality. I prepared by running 5Ks, and then on May 7th, 2023, I completed a 10K marathon and placed 2799 out of 12,000 runners. Not bad 😂.
I plan to beat that next year.
Sometime in the year, my bathroom clogged, creating a new experience for a '"First". In Nigeria, I was not a DIY individual. It was for two reasons: one, I grew up in a house full of boys, and I was not the most athletic, so physical tasks were never delegated to me (Or I dodged them, and everyone adjusted). DIY tasks I always shied away from.
Secondly, artisans didn't come so expensive in Nigeria, so I never really felt a need to be a DIY individual. I have become one 😭. This year, I have coupled my workstation, Unclogged my clogged sinks, Coupled my bedframe, Coupled my TV and its stand, and many other things I had not done before. For the First time, I became a DIY connoisseur.
In March, I tried Japanese food for the first time, and it has become a favorite cuisine. From Takoyaki, Gyu don and Yakisoba. I can't wait to visit Japan, maybe.
In April, for the first time, I visited the Space Station Centre. Seeing the works of people who dared to dream and created machines that could support life outside our planner was brilliant. It showed me how things move when brilliant and daring minds innovate and are backed by exemplary leadership.
Career-wise, I also worked 100% remotely for the first time. It was tasking, especially as the company went through one of the most challenging times. But that's a story for another day, too, as there's a lot to unpack and learn.
It was a year I picked up my (first) master’s degree. After finishing my MBA at Lagos Business School, I was awarded the degree on December 1st, 2023. A surreal experience that enamored me with lifetime learnings, lifetime connections, and, I hope, lifetime friendships. It was testing, long, challenging, but ultimately worth it.
I visited a football stadium for the first time in May. I've always followed football. It was nice to finally watch a game not from the TV. However, I still look forward to my first time in the stadium of my team, FC Barcelona.
Sometime in July, I took my first vacation in 6 years. It was my first time in the EU. Amsterdam was so beautiful, and it's a city I'd like to visit often. It was golden. The people, the vibe, the energy, and the views from the canal.
It was a year of difficult firsts, too. For the first time, I had to be away from my mum, younger brother, and close friends in a different country. I miss them dearly.
Sometime in December, for the first time, I became an in-law and welcomed another sibling to my family through law. The concept of in-law is so interesting when you think about it: Increasing the number of siblings you have legally. She's so warm and engaging, and has since become my mum's favorite profile picture (displacing her "old" children).
In another vein, I had a non-typical first, which holds a good feeling in my heart, especially because it's an old flame. I've always loved reading, but I struggled to find the verve, time, or energy to finish as little as 3 books in an entire year since 2017. It is crazy because reading is a top 2 activity for me.
I finished 11 books this year, the most I've done for the last 5 years. A renewed "First".
Furthermore, it was a year in which I had to form new relationships, adapt to pitfalls, gain new skills, and navigate new systems. Overall, the learning curve has been steep and revealing.
2024 promises so much, and I can't wait for new, more brilliant firsts.
Happy New Year!