Happy New Year! … and Happy New Week!

Three weeks into the year, and it feels like my year is just getting started. Navigating life as a Mum has been such an adventure that it takes sheer will and determination to apply myself to anything else. I had lofty dreams for the beginning of the year, but after becoming quite sick at the start of the year (Detty December took its toll), I had zero energy to take on anything else asides what was essential – chief of which was keeping another human being alive; because life as a milk producer is a full time job.

With my health now back to normal, I am slowly beginning my year and starting to take actions in the direction of my goals . Like they say, “anytime you wake is your morning”, so, if you are like me and your year has started differently than you planned, I hope you can find the courage and strength to ‘wake up’.

For 3 years in a row, two things have characterized the start of my year: the first is some form of social media detox and the second is re-reading Atomic Habits. I wrote here about my 30-day social media hiatus in 2022, and here about my 2023 ‘detox’. For this year, my cleanse was to delete the ‘X’ app from my phone plus a decision not to post anything on IG in January. Like always, I find these choices necessary to quiet the ‘noise’ that social media sometimes represents.

With Atomic Habits, I feel like an ambassador for the book at this point. I have written multiple times about how it is one of those books that I think everyone should read. This post I wrote in 2021 highlights the key takeaways from the book, so feel free to read it if you’re unable to read the entire book. I still highly recommend reading the book. 

I started reading it again yesterday and just like each time I have read it, a different statement stands out for me. This time, it is the statement that says “… the quality of our lives often depends on the quality of our habits…” That hit deep! I sat with that statement for a bit and I encourage you to do same. 

I guess that reminder was what I needed to get out of bed this morning to take a walk (after several months) even though I was exhausted from waking up twice in the night to nurse baby FK. 

I knew that I needed to start from somewhere if being physically fit was important to me, and the truth is, it is never going to be convenient.

“ … the quality of MY life (often) depends on the quality of MY habits…”

Think about your life now, and then think about what you want it to look like. What type of habits do you need to start to fix the gap? Identify the habits, and then make a plan to take actions daily. 

We are all in this together! I am rooting for you!

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A friend asked me a few days ago why I stopped my podcast, and my honest answer was that I thought it was unnecessary. I felt like everywhere I turned to, someone had something to say and I didn’t feel like adding to the statistics. In my opinion, we have an over-consumption problem already in the world, and while it was a fun adventure, I wasn’t sure it was fulfilling any particular ‘purpose’. 

Then I started to wonder if I felt the same way about writing on the blog (Truthfully, I needed an excuse to not write again … cos whew, it is a lot of work). I knew there was some value in distilling my thoughts and sharing information that could be helpful to someone, but at the same time, I didn’t want to be another email clogging anyone’s inbox. 

I was listening to a sermon yesterday and the preacher (Apostle Selman) made a statement, “in one man’s obedience, is another man’s miracle” and I had an AHA moment* when he said it. While for me, I don’t see writing as my ‘calling’ per se, that statement was a reminder to me of how the knowledge we have/get could be beneficial to someone else. 

Similarly, I was reading a newsletter from Fisayo Longe yesterday and it felt like she was writing out my thoughts … below is an excerpt of the newsletter:

“There’s an overwhelming amount of noise on the internet these days, making me sometimes just want to shut the f*ck up forever. At the best of times, I feel over-stimulated and fatigued. At the worst of times, I feel like I am contributing negatively to the chaos. However, I remind myself that this line of thinking is just self-sabotage.

Whether your content is inspiring, entertaining, or educating, delivering value is how you cut through the noise…. Value is never unnecessary.”

“Value is never unnecessary” – A word!

I also reminded myself of one of my favourite quotes of all time, which is the below by Maya Angelou:

“When you learn, teach, when you get, give.”

I like to think that I add some value on this side of my world via the blog and so I picked up my laptop today (even though I’ve never published a blogpost on Monday), and decided to write. I am still finding my rhythm and don’t know how often I will be able to write, but I am working towards a routine that will allow me to be more consistent… or at least as consistent as my daughter will let me.

Not sure what the lesson is, but it feels good to have accomplished this goal!

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What I am currently reading: I am currently re-reading Atomic Habits by James Clear. Not sure there is more to be said about this book! Read it!

What I am listening to: I am currently enjoying this song (Undignified – Excuse Me)by Dunsi Oyekan! It never fails to make me dance. I am also enjoying this 3-part podcast episode by Oprah and Arthur Brooks about their book – Build the Life You Want. I started the book last year and will be reading it next after Atomic Habits.

What I am watching: I enjoyed watching this new reality show ‘The Trust – A Game of Greed’ on Netflix, I am eagerly anticipating the last episode that comes out this week. One word about the show: Human beings are such interesting characters.

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I hope you enjoyed reading this blogpost, and will be thrilled to hear back from you if you did. 

See you soon!

Have an incredible week.

Love,

Nifemi

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*AHA moment: a moment of sudden insight or discovery.