Look back to find the seeds for building forward
This is the time for reflection and planning, regardless of how uncertain things are.
For obvious reasons, this has been a strange year-end. While I usually spend the last week of the year reflecting and planning, taking into consideration where I am in terms of what I am working towards, professionally and personally, it has been harder to do so because of the level of uncertainty.
As a freelancer focused on editorial and content strategy development, the uncertainty in the business sphere exacerbates things because it is near impossible for me to plan. I have proposals out and have had multiple discussions but nothing is quite sticking. Plus, 2021 was always going to be a continuation of 2020 with the idea of ‘returning to normal’ (impossible) or a ‘new normal’ missing the mark. It is going to be a while before things stabilise enough for us to decide that is the new norm, in terms of how we live and work.
1
In May, I wrote about How To Manage Uncertainty With Children. I continue to try to, in a sense, police my reactions, the things I do and talk about, and what to share with them.
2
I am contemplating trying Tim Ferriss’ approach to the end of the year, which he details in Forget New Year’s Resolutions and Conduct a ‘Past Year Review’ Instead.
3
In the middle of finishing up my manuscript for my upcoming book Listen To Your Footsteps and, as with everything else in life, there is an eclectic soundtrack to my writing, from hip hop, soul and jazz to metal, pop and reggae. Curator Ikechúkwú Onyewuenyi has created a dope Spotify playlist based on James Baldwin’s record collection. It is now part of my writing soundtrack. Hoping it inspires me to write even half as well as Baldwin used to write.
4
Over the years, I have become a bit better with managing how much my phone imposes on my daily life. Having been on lockdown and at home for most of the year, it has become harder not to spend hours staring at the small screen. I’m inspired by Kevin Roose’s Do Not Disturb: How I Ditched My Phone and Unbroke My Brain.
5
Nelson George is someone whose work I have followed over the years from his writing in Village Voice, his non-fiction books like Hip Hop America, his detective novels and films he has been involved in. I recently subscribed to his newsletter The Nelson George Mixtape, with the most recent newsletter being especially poignant - 2020: Grief Was The Word.
6
The hands of this giant clock are drawn in real time by what seems to be a human painter.
7
William Last KRM is a Motswana rapper and comedian and his video for his track Tinto has gone viral. I was watching it with my kids recently and tried, unsuccessfully, to explain the significance of Dickies, All-Stars, Jack Purcell, spotties (not bucket hats), Mapantsula, etc.
Nice piece on OkayAfrica: The Story of William Last KRM’s Ascent is of Purpose Meeting Preparation.
That’s it for this year. Hope you have a beautiful transition into 2021.
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