My 2025 Gratitude List + FREE Worksheet
The People I’m Grateful For - and the Many Reasons Why
This year has been a year of major transition for me.
My family and I relocated to Portugal late last year, and just being in a new country with new rhythms, new systems, new culture, new language, new everything has been a lot. A lot of settling in, relearning, adjusting, unlearning, and figuring things one day at a time.
So at the beginning of December, I decided I would write in my journal one thing I’m grateful for every single day.
And honestly? I’m proud to report that I haven’t run out of things to write.
If anything, I keep finding more. Every day has literally been a blessing.
I’ve found myself reflecting deeply on my life, my family, my growth, the journey of being a creator, and the privilege of being a coach…here are some of the people who made this year softer, brighter, and deeply meaningful for me:
My 2025 Gratitude List
💜 Adeola Adeniran
Adeola was the first person to visit me after I moved. At the time, she was in France for an exchange program and she moved things around to stop by.
There’s something incredibly grounding about someone showing up for you physically - just to say, “I’m here.” Adeola did that, and it meant the world.
💜 My Aunt
Aunty Bisi - my mom’s only sister moved to the UK years ago, so she’s been through the ropes of emigration and settling in especially with a young family.
But in Q1, she took time off work and left her (not-so-young) family - my cousins are over 25 now - to spend an entire week with me and mine, just to pour into us and make sure we were okay.
I was in actual shock, so much so that I blurted out at some point, “You really just came to Portugal to see me?” Because I still couldn’t believe it. Her presence was such a gift.
💜 Hauwa
The gift of Substack is the gift of Hauwa
From the subscribers she has brought my way to the authenticity she models to the doors she unknowingly opens for so many creators - she has been such a blessing this year.
Funny story: I met Hauwa long before I knew she was a creator. It took me a while to accept that the Hauwa I knew offline was the Hauwa causing comotion on the internet 😄
💜 Temilade Adu
When I decided to start group AMAs back in July, I honestly wasn’t sure who would show up. I just knew I had a deep burden to coach and support more people - especially those who couldn’t afford my usual 1:1 clarity sessions.
And in just four weeks, it sold out.
But you know who saw beyond all the “sales and marketing” ish? Temilade Adu - my OG subscriber and former coaching client turned friend.
Temilade stayed up late to pray with me. And during one of the sessions, she was literally taking care of her dad… and still carved out time to pray with me.
That kind of sacrifice? I don’t take it for granted. Not for a second.
💜 My Friends
In particular - Florence, Febi, Kemi, Toke, Tolu, Tobi, Temi, Wumi - thank you.
This year was chaotic for most of you, yet you still showed up for me in your own way. Your support, your honesty, the random laughs, the check-ins…they kept me grounded. The coffee dates, the stayovers, the long/short calls - they meant everything.
You’ve given me tough, honest feedback and challenged me to be a better friend, and I’m grateful for every single one of you.
And because my friends are truly incredible, here are a few ways you can support them:
✨Febi recently started her own blog, a beautiful mix of poetry, prose, and everything in between. See more here.
✨ Tolu is hosting an exclusive pop-up and product launch for her eyewear brand Porscheeffect next Sunday. If you’re in Lagos, RSVP here to attend for free (and tell her you’re from my newsletter).
✨ Tobi Otokiti just launched her book, Building Products. And if there’s one thing I know about Tobi, it’s that excellence is her default. So if you’re curious about what it takes to build a winning product or lead high-performing teams, you should order a copy here.
💜 My Nonprofit Volunteers
To my CAWSTEM volunteers - all 12 of you - thank you!
While I was navigating life changes, you kept the lights on.
You kept the work going. You made MATCH mentorship program happen. You sent out weekly newsletters. You kept the community standing.
Thank you for carrying the mission so faithfully.
💜 My Clients & Community
To every single person who booked a clarity call, joined my AMA, or bought the SWOT workbook this year - thank you.
Helping you find clarity has been incredible, but hearing your success stories was the real gift: the mindset shifts, the job changes, the confidence boost, the growth you stepped into.
Your journeys taught me so much about coaching and shaped how I’m designing my future offers. Thank you for making this work meaningful.
To my team who keep the lights up behind the scenes, thank you!
And to every single person who recommended me to a friend, colleague, co-worker, or even paid me and then gifted someone, thank you!
💜 My Extended Family
Every chance I get, I think about how grateful I am to be blessed with such an amazing family. My parents, parents-in-law, siblings (both mine and my husband’s) are truly the warmest people to do life with.
We have conversations for dayyyys, and our weekend calls are honestly one of the things I look forward to the most.
They’ve carried me through so much - especially in these past couple of years navigating motherhood, life, creating, and growth - and their support means the absolute world to me.
💜 My Husband - Nonami
Before anything hits the internet, Nonami has already seen - and heard - the rawest version of it.
He sees the version of me that is unsure, overwhelmed, overthinking, excited, ambitious, inspired, chaotic, confident… all the shades.
And he holds space for every single one.
More than anything (my ambition, drive, desires), he’s one of the biggest reasons I can show up for the many things I juggle. And I’m so so grateful for the gift of him. He really is my best homie👊🏽
💜 Myself
I don’t say this enough, but:
I am grateful for me.
For trying.
For creating.
For experimenting and betting on myself.
For showing up even when it would’ve been easier to shrink.
For choosing courage, even in small ways.
For my growth.
Because sometimes the growth we ignore the most is our own.
💜 And finally - You.
To every single one of you who reads my newsletter - I’m honored.
Truly.
There are millions of newsletters on the internet, and yet you’re here.
So every view, every like, every share, every comment, every restack…I notice it.
Many of you reply to my emails, send messages/tag me on social media (LinkedIn, Insta, X), and tell me how these letters have supported your growth, your career, or your clarity.
It means more than you know.
You keep this going.
You make this community what it is.
And I’m deeply, deeply grateful.
Last week, I asked whether you preferred weekly or biweekly newsletters, and 67% of you said weekly.
That meant so much.
I’ll be slowing down a bit through January, but starting February, we’ll be back to weekly letters.
Bigger, bolder, clearer.
Now it’s your turn!
Plus a small gift for you 🎁
At this time of the year, it’s so tempting to just want everything to be over. But there’s so much power in pausing to take stock.
You’ve grown in ways you probably haven’t even acknowledged yet, and this is your chance to slow down long enough to see it.
Inspired by one of my fave creators - Jayde I. Powell - I created a FREE Year-End Reflection Worksheet to help you take stock of your year: the lessons, the wins, the shifts, the clarity.
It’s a resource I’ve previously offered as a paid template, but this time, I wanted to gift it to you. Think of it as a thank-you for being here.
If you’ve been unsure where to start or how to reflect meaningfully, this worksheet will guide you.
Simple. Honest. Grounding.
And completely free.
➡️ Download it here: 2025 Reflection Worksheet
(p.s. looks better on a desktop)
One more thing…
In two weeks, I’ll be sharing my final newsletter for the year on the lessons 2025 taught me.
It’s a deeply personal and vulnerable one - and I hope it gives you the clarity you need as you step into 2026.
Keep an eye out for it.
Until then - thank you again for being here. 💜
My Wamssss... I am so emosh 🥺🥺 I pray for continued clarity and wisdom for you. The Holy Spirit will forever be your advantage. I love you BIG and I will continue rooting for you.
I didn't regret subscribing to your newsletter, Wamide. You might not know this, but you've been a source of inspiration. Looking forward to seeing what you have for us in 2026. And thanks for the checklist.
PS: Big ups to your husband.