For the longest time, we all looked forward to 2020. It seemed so far away, so magical, a year destined to come with miracles and incredible breakthroughs.
It started like any other year until the death of the famous basketballer Kobe Bryant happened in January, and then it was all downhill from there.
Later that same month, the World Health Organization declared the COVID outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and then a pandemic in March.
There have been over 77.3 million confirmed cases with more than 1.7 million deaths attributed to COVID-19 worldwide from March till now. Abroad, the #Black Lives Matter movement gained significant momentum, and here, Nigerian youths came out en masse across the country and the world for the #EndSARS protests which unfortunately led to the “Lekki Massacre,” several unwarranted arrests and general chaos.
Personally, 2020 was quite the year for me. I lost my job, then my dad and somehow I am still here. But it was not all bad. Thanks to the lockdown i got to spend quality time with my family, the most time i have spent with them since i started working in 2015.
I also got inspired by Ayomide Ofulue to start this newsletter, which allowed me to meet all of YOU! Getting to write for YOU twice a week was one of the major highlights of my year. Seeing your comments, likes, shares and getting to interact with some of YOU put loads of huge smile on my face.
Because of YOU guys, I was reminded that no man is an island; we were not created to be isolated. 2020 reminded me of the importance of community. This year showed me (us) that we all need each other. Someone to say what we are thinking but could not quite figure out the right way to put it. Someone to read, watch, listen to what we put out there. Someone to hug, love on and do life with.
YOU made me feel seen, heard and appreciated in a crazy, isolating year and I would like to think I did the same for you. Your feedback made me feel honoured to have the opportunity to get the words of your heads and into your inbox. Thank you for doing this with me.
Next year, I look forward to getting to know more of YOU! I can not wait to feature more of YOU on here because this is about all our stories, about breaking down the things that make us all human.
Thank you for a great 2020, and I can not wait to do 2021 with YOU. As always, I am rooting for you.❤
P.S: This is the last issue of the year. The Breakdown with Inem Udodiong will be back next year but you do not have to wait that long to reach me. As always, I would love to hear what you think and what you would like me to address in subsequent letters. You can use #TheBreakdownwithInem online or simply reply to this email.
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I miss YOU already
Thank you for sharing Inem. I pray the new year brings respite and restoration for everyone. I lost my first job and dad within a year, five years ago. My dad in an accident, in a car I was driving. I did odd jobs because i wasn't sure what i wanted to do. I also disconnected from former colleagues or school mates. Then spent most of this year without employment. My fav aunt died from cancer. She was devout and was the equivalent of Tabitha in the Bible. It shook my faith, because people prayed everyday for her. Thankfully the end of the year, has brought renewed optimism and some joy. I realised i really like instructional design and educational media. I have gotten some lucrative engagements already. I trying to start a company. And the pipeline is looking good. Emotionally, I am more accepting of life. I feel more confident. But the most powerful thing, is gratitude. I started using a gratitude app recently. It sends prompts with suggestions. My new year resolution is whatever may come, to live in the moment