Hey friend,
My heart is heavy. I had already decided against writing this letter to you because I've so many things to talk about floating around my head and yet I have nothing to say.
Then, I told myself, you are a writer so do what you do...write. So here I am in your inbox.
I am in the middle of making an important decision and I’m scared shitless. Having my anxiety moments doesn't help too. But I guess, that's what they say about life, do it scared?
Have you ever done anything while scared? How do you evaluate your decision making process?
Well, for one, starting this newsletter was something I did with a mix of scary and excitement. I'm glad I did it anyway. And just maybe, I will make this decision too and do it scared.
What's my decision making process like?
I have had to ask myself 3 questions this week:
Am I ready to be responsible for whatever outcome this decision brings?
Would I be happy with the results of this decision?
Would I be okay if it gets hard? (because it will).
If I check yes for these questions and I'm confident in my yes, then maybe I am doing something "right". Either way, I learn something from this experience. The pain point here is to be happy in my decision regardless.
On the topic of happiness
I read this sentence from Ope's newsletter that made me pause:
"Do you know how difficult it is to remember the things that give you joy when you're depressed?"
This made me think of the concept of happiness and how it completely eludes us in moments when we crave it the most. And this is what's crushing about life (for me), that I can't turn on the switch of happiness whenever I want.
Bearing this in mind for times when I get sucked into a giant wormhole of unsavory moments, I try to do simple things that give me joy.
Take an evening walk
Eat grilled chicken
Listen to nursery school rhymes on YouTube. My current favorite, don't judge me :)
Call a friend/someone special and talk about anything.
Make and edit crappy videos. This makes me happy in many ways.
Watch my favorite movie/TV series. You guessed right...The Office 😃
Watch YouTube. Current favorite: this hour long chat between Shola, PayStack CEO and Michael, YCombinator CEO about the PayStack journey.
Read something new; books, articles, personal essays, the likes.
Dance in front of a mirror.
Write to you and for myself.
Take care of my imaginary pet, Coco - don't ask.
We are living in eerie times and for people like me who have been holed up at home for months, it doesn't get any easier too. So, this email is a little reminder to take care of your heart and mind always. Find the little joy in something.
P.s. something to make you smile.
Virtual hugs!!!!