spotify wrapped!
but for the memories that shaped my year 💚
everyone’s talking about Spotify Wrapped, and honestly, I have a love-hate relationship with trends. I hate them because they make me feel the pressure to fit in, but I love them because they offer an avenue to think different.
imagine Spotify Wrapped as an actual wrap—like a burrito, something we consume just like music. Some wraps are amazing, the kind we can’t wait to recommend to friends, while others are as bad as the ex we never count as part of our body count.
an ex actually recently hinted that what we had wasn’t a relationship. Apparently, the whole time i was dating myself.
But i digress.
that’s the thing about wraps—whether it’s music, memories, or even relationships, they leave an impression. Some stick with us, replaying like a favorite song; others we’re happy to skip.
i don’t really listen to music much, so my Spotify Wrapped wouldn’t exactly be about songs, maybe podcasts? But if i had to create a playlist of moments I’ve replayed most in my head this year—it would look like this:
april, when I moved into my new space—a chapter of independence. Which felt surreal cause In 2022 winter I was part of the construction team who built it. Little did i know 2 years later, I would come back to live in it. Talk about a Full
circlewrap moment fr.
turned 30 in May. It marked a shift in how I see a lot of things. There’s something to that number i didn’t realize until I hit it. But weeks leading up to the big day, I promised myself I wanted it to be a significant number and so far so good it’s shaping up nicely.
phone conversation with
that helped me finally move on from my ex. Taught me that sometimes the words i need to hear might come from an unlikely source.starting therapy. Which was actually my only goal for 2024. Set the tone of the year for me and open the flood gates of change for me.
attending a 6-week men’s group therapy session at church, which felt like a homecoming for my soul.
being dragged by a friend to go for an event that became one of the best decisions of 2024.
sitting on my balcony with a friend, sharing the unique bond of being pastor’s kids. Bruhh! i’m convinced pastor’s kids are some of the most interesting folks you can be around. It felt like someone finally understood me.
meeting beautiful, kindred spirits on Substack who’ve supported and inspired me like
, , , (an amazing man fr), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,earning side money from writing on Medium—seeing an hobby become something tangible was so new but I can’t complain. 🫢
the Airbnb my family and I stayed in for my brother’s wedding holds a special place in my heart. It was the setting for one of the most beautiful moments we’ve shared as a family. The barbecue night stands out—plenty of food, laughter, stories, music, and a warmth that made us wish we could freeze time and stay in that moment forever.
fantasizing about writing my memoir:
a group hangout—a gathering of men in the woods, having raw, honest, men-to-men conversations. It felt sacred. Ironically, the group disbanded just a few weeks later, making that moment even more fleeting and meaningful.
amazing people like (Titan, twin brother, my twin sister,
, , , , donate to my work.
all these moments I have kept on replay all year long. If I had a Spotify Life-Wrapped, this would be it.
AND that’s a WRAP from Jollof-Write for the year. It’s been fun cooking stuff up to send to you—at least once a month.
See you in 2025, fam. 🫂
You, my friend, are so gracious! One of the things I appreciate the most about you, even from this distance, is something that is nowadays becoming an all too rare trait for most humans: the authentic ability to humbly acknowledge others through the abundant generosity of your spirit. I am certain the friends you have, with whom you are physically in closest proximity to, see you as one of their kindest, most genuine and soulful relations. You, my friend, are a rare soul and a true light for this world. May you continue to shine. i’m grateful for you.
"Some stick with us, replaying like a favorite song; others we’re happy to skip..."
Tobi! You write so beautifully.
Mine would be a burrito wrapped tightly with determination and served with a side of gratitude and Sia's Unstoppable playing in the background.