Reinventing Myself in 2025

Embracing Change, Creativity, and Community

It barely feels like the new year has begun. Maybe, because I just started a new onsite job that operates year-round. It felt like I closed my eyes for a moment, and when I opened them, the calendar had flipped to a whole new year. Like, how? From where to where?

But then, when I remember I am turning the “Big 30” this year, it hits me that 2025 is here and very much real. This 1995 baby is no longer a baby—turning 30 is a whole new chapter of life.

Alhamdulilah, I can only say this because I’m in great health. I’m grateful for the blessings of 2024—the good and the not-so-good.

2025 is here. Some of us will set new goals. Others will continue working toward old goals. And some of us will reinvent ourselves entirely.

Speaking of reinventing, a lot of you must have been shocked when I announced that I would be taking a break from writing and self-publishing, especially self-publishing.

I understand how this might sound. You probably went, “What’s wrong with this girl? When I’m waiting for the sequel to Rebound, you’re going on an indefinite break? Better be serious.”

That’s how I imagined many people thought in their minds. But many of you were so sweet. Many authors reached out to me personally, and everyone basically cheered me on. I truly appreciate your care and concern.

However, as I said in the first episode of my podcast, I don’t know when I’ll be coming back to self-publishing. My priority now is taking care of my mental health, finding stability, and achieving balance.

Still, I am a creator at heart, and I can’t sit still for too long without creating something or tasking my mind. That’s what led to the birth of my podcast, Itan Ife, taking a cue from the name of my newsletter, LoveNotes. New episodes will be dropping every Sunday.

To be honest, I have had so many thoughts. I’ve thought of going anonymous, deleting all my social media accounts, and just disappearing completely. But healing doesn’t lie in running away; it lies in taking breaks and coming back stronger. And like the popular saying goes, “Na who give up lose”—meaning, it’s the person who gives up that ultimately loses.

With these thoughts, I’m trying to reinvent how I can use my creativity beyond the traditional way of just writing and publishing, because it is taking a toll on my life that I just can’t handle at the moment.

My podcast is one way to keep my creativity alive. But what happens to my stories?

Then I remembered my newsletter. I have over 250 of you here—amazing, beautiful people who have been supporting my journey so far. Some of you have been rooting for me from the very first day I started publishing. So, I’ve decided to leverage my newsletter and grow it.

What’s Next in 2025

Podcast: Itan Ife is a beautiful project that I’m so happy to have started. I’ve always wanted to host my own “talk show.” I’ve started multiple YouTube channels and tried creating talking-head videos for social media like Instagram and TikTok. But due to imposter syndrome, anxiety, and being camera-shy, they never really worked out. While I’m tired of starting new things and just want to build with what I already have, starting my podcast at this moment feels right—especially since I can host it here on Substack with the audience I already have. It doesn’t feel like I’m starting from scratch. The supportive community here makes the process feel more manageable and familiar.

Writing: I very much still want to write, and I’m afraid that if I take too long, I’ll never write again. But I can’t commit to writing a full book, publishing it, marketing it, and all of that. “I no get strength” at this moment.

Since I’m on a journey to grow into my ideal self, I want to create from a place of love—not necessity and anxiety. So, I’ve created two new sections in my Substack for web series and short stories. With the web series, I can create in bits and get your feedback on the go. There’s no pressure, no rush, and no deadlines. For short stories, I can write on a whim and post them here—just creative freedom. I might also feature stories from other writers. Most stories will be free until I figure out Substack’s subscription system, which poses challenges for Nigerians.

Courses: I don’t know a lot, but I’m constantly learning, and I like to share what I learn with others. I don’t have the basics figured out yet. However, I want to create courses for creatives like me who struggle with their mental health and need help continuing to create. Some of the courses will be paid, and some will be free. I’ve created a section here in my Substack, and you all will definitely be the first to know when it launches.

Community: I’ve also added a community updates section for all the juicy bits, updates, stories, and more.

This is how I’ll be exercising my creativity in 2025. I’m not starting anything new—just building on the foundation of what I already have. But most importantly, I’m pacing myself and creating at my own pace, while building a community with all of you here. We are currently a community of over 250 members, and my goal is to grow it into thousands. This is where you’ll find me until I’m well and balanced enough to face that self-publishing life again.

P.S.: Social media is exhausting—unless I’m doom-scrolling and spamming my friends with reels. But I’ll do my best to create for social media whenever I can.

I look forward to a fantastic 2025 with you all. Here’s to peace of mind, better mental health, more books, glowing skin, and more money.