New year, new me?
Nope!
For 2025, I’ve decided to let go of all the fanfare around new beginnings. Don’t get me wrong—I still love the idea. There’s something magical about a fresh start and the potential it holds. But I’ve realized that the pressure to become someone entirely new every January doesn’t resonate with me anymore.
For someone who reinvents herself every market day, flaky is not the look I’m going for, so, no more major announcements (I can see how announcing this contradicts). I’ll rather focus on building consistency and appreciating the progress I’ve already made.
Last year was good, and I’m proud of everyone reading this for showing up for themselves, no matter how small those steps might feel. We often overlook our wins because they don’t come with fireworks or grand announcements. But every little step forward counts.
Recently, I caught a podcast snippet where a guest shared how her therapist put her on a book (I think it’s called The Gap and The Gain). The concept really stuck with me:
The Gap: Focusing on what you lack, comparing yourself to others, and feeling behind.
The Gain: Celebrating how far you’ve come and recognizing your growth.
I realized I’ve been living in The Gap for too long—always feeling like I wasn’t enough, that I hadn’t achieved enough. Through that lens, 2024 felt like a failure. Zero achievements, no major breakthroughs, and an overall sense of stagnation.
But through The Gain?
I see my progress. I see how much I’ve grown and learned, even without the big wins I thought I needed. For instance, I’ve strengthened my ability to reflect on what truly matters to me, rather than chasing external validation.
One small but significant example: Not giving in and deleting this newsletter last year. It hasn’t been perfect, but it has given me a platform to share my thoughts and connect with all of you. That alone is a gain worth celebrating.
It’s easy to measure success by external milestones—promotions, awards, accolades. But I’m learning to measure it by how I feel about myself and the effort I put into the things that matter. Living in The Gain doesn’t mean ignoring your goals; it means acknowledging that every step forward is part of the journey.
This mindset shift is brand new for me, and I know it will take time to rewire my brain to focus on The Gain more often. Old habits die hard, but I’m committed to trying. And from the little I’ve seen so far, it’s already worth it.
Maybe you could give it a try too? Ask yourself: Do you see the world through the lenses of The Gap or The Gain?
Own Your Weird is free, but if my words have ever made you feel seen, inspired, or a little less alone, you can support me with a cup of coffee. It means the world.
Weirdos Corner
Newsletter Feels
I’m still accepting story requests! If you have a story you want to tell, I’d love to help you write it.
Reach out to me at abangwusophiaa@gmail.com. Don’t be shy—I don’t bite… much.
Every person has a unique story, and I’d love to help bring yours to life.
Question of the Week
I’ve been experimenting with AI prompting, and it’s beyond fascinating. It’s like unlocking a whole new world of creativity and problem-solving. So, here’s my question, humor me:
If you could have a prompt for anything (something ChatGPT could answer), what would it be?
Do you think AI prompting is here to stay? How do you see it shaping our future interactions and creativity? I personally think it’s here for good, I don’t think we’re ever going back to pre-ChatGPT
Let me know your thoughts in the chat!
Recommendation of the Week
Over the holidays, I watched The Six Triple Eight on Netflix. It’s an incredible story that taught me life-changing lessons about perseverance and teamwork. It’s a powerful reminder of how much impact we can make when we come together to solve problems, even in the face of adversity. Highly recommend—golden watch!
That’s it for this edition of Own Your Weird! Remember to celebrate your Gains, no matter how small. Here’s to a year filled with growth, gratitude, and weirdness.
Happy New Year!
Sophia💜
Happy new year Sophia! Good episode today, this is probably the only newsletter I check out when it comes in my mail.
My AI prompt question would be: how can I write a newsletter like Sophia’s? (lol)
And yeah, I think AI prompting is definitely here to stay. As a matter of fact, a term called “Prompt engineering” is the next big thing coming in the “online” space.
Keep up your writing!
It's a pleasure to have connected with you on this space and I'm glad you didn't throw in the towel