Despite traveling a lot as a child, living in a total of 5 states in and the FCT before I turned 20, newness still takes me by surprise. I know that new places have new adventures to offer but I get terrified still. When I left Lagos for Mauritius, I was convinced this was my golden ticket to right whatever wrongs I might have done in the 3 years prior – I thought perhaps I could rebuild my brand with people who couldn’t accidentally run into other people I knew from school who would shape their perspective of me but I learnt that new spaces are meant for much more learning than spending time doing damage control. So, before you go on this new adventure, you should know:
- For the sake of accountability, isolation is a bad idea. New environments can be difficult to navigate and if you are isolated, you may pick up habits to compensate for being away from home
- If you go to new destinations to redefine yourself rather than find yourself, it might not work. You need to be comfortable with who you are when you go and be comfortable with not sharing that with some people to help you maintain your mystery
- Being strong also means recognising where you are weak, admitting it to yourself, and looking for ways to deal with it
- You need to be comfortable with your ‘NO’, not just in saying it, but being able to take the consequences
- Put yourself first, not just in relationships but in business. If a deal makes you uncomfortable, say it quickly so you don’t have to over-explain in the future
- Call home often, have conversations with your parents, see how they are doing and be there to support them. I know you don’t always want to talk but make time for them, they love you and they’ll appreciate it.
- Love grows with knowledge, never forget that. If you don’t want someone to fall in love with you, don’t show them yourself. If you want to fall in love with someone, learn about them.
- To quote Carl (a speaker whose last name I no longer remember), when you move to a new place, you must find the following; a place for your spiritual health, a doctor for your physical health, the embassy in case of an emergency, a lawyer in case of trouble, and a bank to manage your finances
- Believe it or not, not everyone deserves your friendship and you don’t deserve everyone’s friendship either. Some, you’ll gain, some you’ll lose but there is a lesson in every one
- It’s okay if things change and the intensity of your relationship with someone shifts, enjoy new connections but don’t let them consume you
- Remember, when in doubt (on most things not all) go ahead and do it because more people regret on their deathbed the things they didn’t do than the things they did
An excerpt of Mimidoo’s reflection in June 2019 upon exiting Mauritius 🙂
