Thank you, 2023!
As I sit down to reflect on the past year, a flood of emotions overwhelms me. It’s a year that would have made my younger self cry—not tears of pain, but tears of joy. Most of things I once wished for have come to fruition, but the journey also comprised some of the toughest moments that I miraculously lived through. Writing about the year is a new experience for me, a process I’ve always wanted to undertake but often found myself procrastinating. Even now, I almost didn’t write this, putting it off until after my birthday, only to be delayed further.
The difficulty in articulating this year stems from the fact that, in reflecting, I relive the moments, reencounter the emotions, and confront those still awaiting processing. It’s been a year of overwhelming emotions, and by writing, I hope to not only reflect and face these emotions but also document them for future reflection.
My goal for 2023 was intentionality—a deliberate and purposeful approach to everything I did. While 2022 had been a great year for me, it felt almost accidental. I couldn’t quite explain it, but I knew that 2023 had to be a year where I was intentional about my actions, experiences, and reactions.
At the beginning of the year, I grappled with a depressive episode, perhaps a moment of crisis fueled by anxiety about the future and the pressure of graduate school applications. Despite the uncertainty, I pushed through, preparing applications, drafting personal statements, and seeking references. The mantra “Do it scared, Do it afraid but do it anyway” echoed in my head, propelling me forward. Recording short videos during this process allowed me to vocalize my emotions and rationalize the experience.
Amid these nerve-wracking moments, the clarity of my goal stood firm — be intentional. In the early weeks of January, I attended a vision planning session hosted by G4G. Creating my 2023 vision board during this session turned out to be a pivotal decision. Unlike past years’ generic resolutions, this time I sat down and thought about the different dimensions I wanted to grow in, placing on the board the things I aspired to achieve in the coming year. The vision board, with its powerful words — Intentional, Growth, and Empower—became the guiding themes of my year.
In 2023, I achieved significant milestones,(in no particular order).
- I graduated with a BSc in Electrical Engineering, with first-class honors. I also received another recognition award in this regard.
- I worked for an innovative company whose work I had always aspired to contribute to.
- Aced my US visa interview, a win I will celebrate.
- I made my parents proud.
- I learnt how to drive, overcoming hiccups like a minor collision.
- I explored the railway museum in Jinja, discovering the origin of place names like Kalerwe.
- I applied for graduate school, celebrated rejections, and ultimately secured a spot in one of my dream PhD programs in Computer Science in the USA.
- I learnt, met incredible people, and felt at home in a new country and university.
- I had the opportunity to speak to and inspire young people.
and others.
While the year had its bitter moments, reserved for future reflection or perhaps a biography, I appreciate that they contributed to making me stronger and wiser.
As I eagerly anticipate 2024, I affirm once again, may my life prove that God is good. To my 6-year-old self, I say, I hope you’re proud of me because I am proud of you.
PS: Listening to “Long Live (Taylor’s Version) ” motivated me to finish this.
