Each Day At A Time in 2025.

That's how I intend to live.

I have tried to weave words to the best of my ability, especially as a proficient writer to summarize my year, but words don't seem to be coming. And apparently, words aren't enough to tell the story of this year.

Before I continue, this is a heartfelt letter from the deepest part of my heart to show my appreciation for everyone who has subscribed and read my newsletters. We crossed over 1000 subscribers on Wagwan With Damdam in the first half of this year.

A newsletter I started last year to share my experiences and thoughts on personal and relatable matters has grown to be something more than just about me. While I wasn't so consistent and would disappear sometimes (heck, life was lifing and I was thugging it), I'm glad you still open them whenever they hit your mailbox. Next year, I'll tell more stories and experiences and bring more creatives to share theirs.

On Gratitude for the year.

A lot happened this year that I couldn't really place them together. I experienced highs and lows, good and ugly days. Made memories, lost friends, gained more, lost jobs, gained ones. Lost money, gained more. A rollercoaster of a year. Awon challenges face me and I faced them back.

Because why? Me run things, things don't run me.

This was a year I spent more time alone in the first half of the year but still went out towards the end of the year. Living independently wasn't so easy, I went home ‘cause I couldn't go hard again. But I'm grateful for the lessons learned through all these phases, both good and bad.

On Relationships…

Hmm. I'd said I wouldn't say much because the last time I said I would avoid romantic relationships for the new year, guess what? This thing called the heart decided to do something other than pump blood. And you can guess what happened at the end of the journey. So, I wouldn't say anything about it moving forward. But I'm grateful to have love and to be loved.

Above all, I'm grateful for the family and friends I have and the new ones I made. This year, my friends were really my emotional support, from having close and meaningful conversations to the words of encouragement, to the bants and rants, to the laughter and random pictures shared. Not forgetting witnessing and sharing in their wins too. Honestly, being amidst them whenever I can or talking to them online is bliss.

And special s/o to the women in my life, I love you too much!

This year, I fulfilled more firstborn duties than I have. And boyyy…shout-out to me for that, and side-eye greetings to the angel that pushed me to come first, because I definitely didn't ask to come first, especially in this country. But hey, I'm grateful to be there for my family in the way I can. To bring smiles to their faces is more than enough for me.

To wrap up the year.

I think many things happened this year that I can't really place my thoughts together on them. It was an overwhelming year, ICL. Days I was just breezing through because I didn't know what I was doing and I questioned myself a lot. Days where fear and confusion were my companions. But in all the times I lost myself, I would find myself back. I hope next year opens the door for more clarity, propulsion, and expansion. Starting with our minds, my homie.

I don't know who needs this, but in this new year, fight for your dreams. When you dare to dream, fight to see it come to reality. That dream you have had since you were a kid, fight and live to see it. Don't kill your dreams, no matter how long it takes. If everything you're doing is for your 14-year-old self, do it.

And it's okay if you've outgrown those childhood dreams. You can always dream of one for your future self. I pray you find the strength to fight and live in them, even if you have to fight yourself.

And if the only thing you did was survive this year, I'm happy for you. It's a W in my book. (Maybe at cross-over, we can both beg God to not include us as part of his strongest soldiers for 2025). But if one thing I've learned this year, is that God wouldn't bring you this far to leave you this far. So Mafo, omo iya mi. Joy is coming.

Above all,

Into the new year...

Each day at a time, that's how I intend to live. For all the dreams and goals won't happen all at once, so I wouldn't pressure myself. Not like pressure won't surface, but I hope to remind myself that everything will begin to fall into place each day at a time.

Thank you for sticking with me to the end. For every reply, email sent, comment, and shares, I'm grateful. And I hope you remember that a tough year can also be a good year. I look forward to creating more memories and telling more stories.

Before I end this, Wagwan homeboys and girlies!

How did the year end for you? If this year were a book or album title, what would it be for you? Tell me in the comments and write back to me. I want to hear everything!

See you in my next newsletter. And Happy New Year.

Love and Magic,

Your homeboy,

Damdam.❤️

PS: I got myself a new phone today. S/o to me for pulling it off.