What I Learned in 2024 (Even the Stuff You Didn’t Ask For)

Today at a glance

2024 has been a wild ride.

From Global weather throwing tantrums to billionaires playing PR stunts, to our continued awe and worry about AI and the evolution of the T-Pain meme, it is safe to say, that it’s been an interesting year.

But beneath all the noise, the memes, and the crises, I’ve been learning some lessons that—dare I say—might be useful to you too.

If there’s one thing we can agree on, 2024 has been a wild ride.

Global weather threw tantrums; billionaires played PR stunts, from donating money to fighting online beefs; and AI continued to both wow and worry us all.

Let’s not even get started on the memes—it’s been meme heaven from January to this moment.

Also, Nigerians have always been creative but this year we took it to another level by nicknaming our President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “T-Pain.”

Not for his autotuned vocals or chart-topping hits, but for the economic pain the country is going through and the letter T in his name.

Funnynough, the real T-Pain has been riding this wave to the bank, reportedly seeing a surge in streams and online engagements thanks to this quirky turn of events.

Safe to say, it’s been an interesting year.

But what about the personal side of things? Beneath all the noise, the memes, and the crises, I’ve been learning some lessons that, dare I say, might be useful to you too.

Here are my top takeaways for 2024, spiced with a bit of humor, honesty, and occasional melodrama.

1. Everybody Has Advice, But Not All Advice is Useful

As a certified advice-seeker, I’ve learned that everyone will have an opinion on your problems. But here’s the catch: their advice is based on their perspective, their experience, and their quirks.

This doesn’t mean advice is useless, it just means you shouldn’t swallow it whole.

The solution? Take the advice, but then do the thing. Action beats analysis every time and you figure out what works from action.

Some of my best moments this year came from winging it and figuring things out as I went.

Advice is the blueprint; action is the building.

2. Understanding Your Place = Less Stress

There’s this quote I love to throw around, usually to the annoyance of anyone within earshot:

“Know your place and act accordingly.”

Yes, it sounds harsh. Almost medieval. But hear me out.

Knowing your place is all about being honest with yourself and about where you stand in any sphere of life. It’s being self-aware of your own capabilities.

This year, I added a twist:

“Know your place in people’s lives, and it’ll help you act accordingly.”

Because actually knowing your position and not assuming it dictates the way you would behave in any relationship. For example, knowing how God sees me this year has helped me in my spiritual walk and relationship with him.

So, don’t let the gods of assumption steer your ship. Get to know.

This works both ways. I’ve also learned to tell people where they stand in my life—whether they mean a lot or, frankly, not much.

In either case, it has deepened the relationship or increased the mutual respect. Try it. It might just save you some head and heartache.

3. You Won’t Find Closure in a Vacuum

People carry way too much baggage. And I don’t mean physical luggage (though some of you really should pack lighter) but emotional and mental burdens.

We assume time will heal everything and believe we will find closure while binge-watching Netflix or waiting for some cosmic sign.

Spoiler alert (see what I did there?): It doesn’t work that way. Closure doesn’t just materialize out of thin air

What helps? Talking about the issue.

This year, I found time to have those awkward, heavy conversations. Was it uncomfortable? Sure. But the peace I felt afterward? Priceless.

Don’t bottle things up; find the time, sit down, and talk things out. Trust me, closure doesn’t come on its own.

4. Tomorrow Will Take Care of Itself

I helped organize two hangouts this year. They were fun. But before they happened, I spiraled into an overthinking abyss.

Would the food be enough? What if the guests don’t vibe together? What if someone misbehaves?

None of that happened. People came, laughed, and had a great time. All my overthinking was for nothing.

The same thing happened when I gave away a sum of money because God nudged me to. I freaked out, of course. “What now?” “How will I survive?” But guess what? Things sorted themselves out.

Tomorrow has a funny way of taking care of itself. Stop borrowing worry from the future.

5. It’s Good to Have Allies

This year wasn’t great-great, but it was good. And that goodness? It came from people.

My allies, teammates, and community carried me through. They showed up when I couldn’t do it alone, and they let me show up for them too.

I learned to delegate, to lean on others, and let others shine. It’s humbling, but also freeing.

Relying on people doesn’t just lighten the load; it makes the journey worth taking.

A Gentle Push for You

As the year wraps up, here’s what I’d suggest:

• Ask questions, even the hard ones.
• Don’t wait for closure, create it.
• Advice is great, but action is greater.
• Overthinking is overrated; the future will sort itself out.
• Build a community. Find allies. Be an ally.

Life isn’t perfect, and neither are we. But with a little self-awareness, a lot of humor, and the right people around us, we’ll get through just fine.

That’s it for my penultimate article of the year. Next week, I’m letting my hair down (literally and figuratively), so stay tuned for the finale.

Till then, stay curious and kind.

Remember, you’ve got this

Salud!

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