Hey, there Comrade👋🏾,
Happy New Month
Happy New Year too.
I'm so psyched that I get to finally write to you after such a long, unintentional break. How are you? How has 2024 been for you so far?
The screenshot above was taken from one of WorkHERholic’s newsletters and it has to be the timeliest piece I've read recently. I stumbled on the mail after I had just juggled three virtual meetings in the space of an hour, scheduled to start and end at the same time whilst also trying to do my assignment.
Last year, in a bid to put myself “out there” more, I dabbled in more activities, signed up for more roles and sent out even more applications. Surprisingly, most of them came back positive and before I realised what was happening I was always chasing time, trying to meet up with one deadline or event. At the same time, I still had to pay attention to my studies and keep up with assignments and projects. Dear comrade, it was a lot for me, I was always overwhelmed with all the things I had to do.
In effect, at the end of the year, for the first time in my life, I wasn't excited about the new year, I couldn't write the EOTY(end of the year review) I so badly wanted to write or send out thank you emails. I was always saying there wasn't time and felt like I was always under rubble, constantly trying to escape.
I started 2024 tired, with a bad sleep cycle, and constant headaches. I was almost always frustrated (even though I tried so hard to mask it.)
It was when I was preparing to write this letter and reading the older ones that I realised that I had only written to you twice last year…twice.
I had slowly overburdened myself until I couldn't bear the weight anymore.
I was busy, and not productive.
I'm writing to you today to urge you to pace yourself. To do this you'll have to first realise what your true goals and priorities are, you have to learn to filter and acknowledge the fact that not everything is for you.
There are so many articles and videos on being productive, some more misleading than helpful, and if you aren't intentional about the paths you take towards your growth, it can easily get to a point where you find yourself going on a wild goose chase for another productive tip that would only fulfil you momentarily.
I decided to do better this year by prioritising only the important stuff and letting go of some things. In extension, I dropped some roles, held off on some applications, and also created a healthier sleep schedule (with the help of my younger sister) which I have managed to be consistent with so far.
This letter is one of my priorities so I have decided to stop running away from accountability. It's now official that at least for the first quarter of this year I will write to you at the beginning and end of every month, more like in first and last week. I haven't ever slated periods to write, I used to do it on whim so it was easy to stop. By putting it out here, I expect that I'll be able to show up here more often.
That being said, it feels so good to finally come to the end of January, it's been soo long. How was January for you Comrade? Were you able to meet up with your goals and resolutions? I'd love to hear from you.
RELATIONSHIP STRUGGLES
Last year, one of the hardest pills I had to swallow was realising that because I do good things to and for people, it doesn't mean they'll treat me the same way. It keeps happening to date and boyy does it hurt! Every time it happens it feels like a fresh wound.
If socialising/networking was I course I'm sure I'd get an F or even a carry-over. I'm still learning the ropes and when I recede in progress I berate myself for it.
This, coupled with the fact that it seems I keep getting hurt every time I reach out has deeply scarred my mentality when it comes to peopling. Not to mention the fact that whilst some people think I'm proud or antisocial, I'm just shy to a great fault and racking my brain on how to open the ground for conversation.
I'm still willing to be better regardless, it's hard but I'll keep trying.
I'm curious as to how the seemingly expert ones do it, or maybe we're all just figuring it out.
TO BETTER THINGS...
Despite all that has happened, I'm still excited about the prospects for this month and 2024 in general.
I hope this month is kind to you.
I hope you experience all the joys and blessings this month has to offer.
I hope that you always find reasons to feel loved and to love.
I hope you have a wonderful February.
Melody For Us:
You and I - SYML, Charlotte Lawrence
Till I write to you again, Dear Comrade,
Stay Jiggy ✌🏾
It’s so good to finally read your letters again!!! Looking forward to more