CHEERS TO 2020
Recently I was speaking to a friend about what my 2020 had been like and one thing that struck me was how much I was filled with regret. It is that time of the year where everyone reviews their achievements, failures and so on. For me all I can say about 2020 is that I survived, I would be lying if I said anything different. Looking back to the start of the year. I started 2020 with a lot of enthusiasm, after all I was going to resume at the Nigerian Law School and bag the best grade possible, 2020 said “sike!”
Most of my goals for the year were centered around making the best of my law school year and in hindsight, I realise that was a mistake. Anyway as at January, I did not know the world was going to be shut down by a pandemic, no prophet had revealed this one so of course I made plans without considering the possibility of something huge disrupting them. Law school posting came out and I was posted to Yola campus, it was not my desired choice but after speaking with a couple of brilliant minds from previous sets, I knew not to sweat it too much. I resumed at the law school in Yola, full of hope for the things to come, slightly disgruntled because I had spent hours at the airport, dealt with flight delays and the general ‘anyhowness’ of Nigerian airlines.
I found Yola to be a beautiful place, it was quiet and serene and most importantly, classes ended early. Honestly, Yola was one of the brightest spots in 2020 because I met such amazing people, brilliant minds who have become so important to me and for that I’m grateful. Law school was stressful but I soon got used to the routine of waking up early, cold mornings, hours of reading, hot afternoons, group meetings, humiliating class presentations and class mates who kept us in class longer than necessary with their never ending questions. It was hard but I did not mind because there was some certainty that it would be over by November. Again LOL because I’m sure the gods of the universe were cackling at our dreams, much like any good villain or witch in a Disney fairytale would. March came around and of course corona happened. We all speculated on when this whole thing would be over, the least optimistic of us thought by October we would probably be back to normal. Again premium laughter because later happenings blew our predictions away.
Everything after March seems like one scary nightmare to me. All I remember is lockdown, online classes, depression, more online lectures. Words really cannot describe the range of emotions I went through. People were dying, people still are so please wear a mask, everything was shut down and my life was on hold. I can count the number of times I have been outside my house since March, it does not help that I am very paranoid about catching the virus. This year was a year like no other, if there is one word that perfectly describes this year, it would be “omo” I am an introvert who loves her bed and her room but I’ve never been out so little in my entire life. I’ve also never looked at a computer screen so much in my entire life and don’t get me started on the discomfort that accompanies wearing glasses and a mask. I think I speak for majority of law school students in Nigeria when I say we said goodbye to any semblance of mental health we thought we had this year. Imagine spending one year and counting in law school and having only about 8 weeks of physical, proper lectures. These days if anyone asks me, I just tell them I’m a lawyer in Jesus name because at this point only Jesus knows when I will be called to the Nigerian bar.
Despite all the challenges that 2020 brought my way, I still like to delude myself that I won 2020 in some way. Yes, I lost relationships, family, my mental and physical health bid me adieu and I was penniless for most of the year but I gained some of the most amazing friends. I’m incredibly grateful that I was surrounded by the best people one could ask for this year. My friends were there for me in every way possible and this year opened my eyes to the gift that they are to my life. As the year grinds to a halt, I’m thankful that I survived. I feel like I was in a fierce UFC match with 2020 and let’s not lie, this year beat me like a thief caught stealing tomatoes at Mile 12 market. I’m currently battling a cold and an irritating chest pain that doesn’t want to go away which is very on brand for 2020, so yes this year beat the living daylights out of me- I like to imagine I look like those boxers who end up on the wrong (or right depending on perspective) side of a punch- but I was not knocked out so we move! It is the last day of the year and I’m unpacking the lessons this year brought my way. As I look out my window, I realise despite my reluctance to make plans for 2021, I have actually made plans and for the first time in a long while, I feel a sliver of hope for what’s to come and look forward to what may well be my very own roaring 20s. I’m grateful for my little wins, I’m learning from my failures and I’m hopeful for a better 2021. Cheers to 2020
