My 2025 End of Year Review- A Dash of Iruoma
Helloooooo and happy happy new year! Can you believe 2025 is over? Is it just me, but did it not feel like the fastest year of my life despite being slow on most days?
I apologise for not giving you consistent blog posts and video content, but this past year has tested my multitasking capacities. I am relieved to say that I couldn’t juggle as many balls as I thought. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to share something with you, even if that means a new year post! So grab a cup of tea or wine and let’s catch up!
PS- I am attempting my version of “wrapped” by highlighting top events or things I enjoyed in 2025.
How’s “being” going?
For the first time in a while, someone used my words against me. I was mindlessly scrolling on WhatsApp when a pop-up notification stopped me in my tracks. Iruoma, how’s “being” and not “doing” going?
It took a minute for me to realise what was being asked.
When the year 2025 started, I boldly wrote on my blog how I intended to live this year. It’s my “desire to enjoy the moments”. Funny enough, I started the year with an answered prayer for my career and then a blatant rejection of another career progression in the same month. There were many instances where, in the same breath, I got a yes and a no. All that to say, thank God for keeping things running smoothly even when my eyes can’t see.
2025 Wrapped- Weddings
I attended three out of four weddings I planned to. Any time I get to witness a wedding ceremony, especially when I know the brides, it is a mixture of awe and excitement. Awe because weddings are a lot of mental gymnastics and financial commitment (notice I did not say marriage). Excitement because it’s an opportunity to look gorgeous and catch up with people I haven’t seen in a while. These weddings were remarkable for me because I had a good time and so much fun!
2025 Wrapped-Top Music
My babe says my music taste is erratic, but I would still give my recommendations for the people who have a similar taste. Thankfully, Spotify did us a favour with their Wrapped, so I would just share from that.
I listened to 97 genres, but my top 5 were:
- Contemporary Gospel
- Afro R & B
- Yacht Rock
- Christian
- Pop
My listening age is 25, as I was into music from the 2010s. I found that hilarious!
I listened to 451 songs, and my number 1 was Game Changer by Ada Ehi. That was my anthem from April to August because those months tested me!
The others in my top 5 were ;
- Enough by Elias Dummer
- ZA by Anendelessocean
- He will Be by CityAlight
- Your Love by Moses Bliss and Chandler Moore
2025 Wrapped- Places Visited
One thing I desired last year was to visit new places. There’s just something about leaving your daily routine to experience a different culture or place. In 2025, I visited three places: Ghana, Enugu and Abuja.
Ghana was a second time, but I loved that I could experience it as an adult. I stayed in Accra, which felt like a second version of Lagos but way mellow. My favorite things about these travels were trying new meals and coming out of my comfort zone to experience other people’s culture.
Enugu, the coal city in Nigeria, is barely a two-hour drive from my state of origin in Anambra, but I had never visited it till last year. This state is beautiful. Their network of roads is massive and neat. The disadvantage of being in Lagos for too long is that you become myopic about the beauty of other states. I wish the insecurity in Nigeria weren’t this bad because we have so many beautiful places in the country, and I have barely scratched the surface.
Abuja was another place I enjoyed this year. I went there for my sister’s call to the bar. Let’s just say my first culture shock was the Uber fare. What do you mean for a journey of 30 minutes, I only get to pay 2,500 naira?
It is also a beautiful city, and my uncle tried to take us everywhere possible in the days we had. Alas, we only have 24 hours in a day, and there’s only so many activities you can cram into one day. Hopefully, I will visit again soon!
2025 Wrapped-Top Podcasts
I had 4 recurring podcasts on my list this year, but my top podcast was The Gospel In Lagos. This is also a shameless plug for my church, City Church. If you are looking for a gospel-centred church in Lagos, check us out.
I also listened to a lot of Divine Intervention podcasts for medical concepts and kinda liked clinical medicine again- emphasis on kinda because I still have a love-hate relationship with it.
My other favorites were With The Perrys by Jackie Hill and Preston Perry and Female by Design by Francine Winslow.
2025 Wrapped- Books I read in 2025
I read 4 non-medical books and finished 2. I’m not proud of that, but I promise you I tried. They were;
- The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran & Micheal Lennington
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
- Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- Neither Bomb Nor Bullet by Andrew Boyd
The last two are my completed reads. My favorite story in Dream Count was Kadiatou’s- an immigrant who battled the horror of sexual assault. I would leave the rest of the details for you to uncover.
Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi’s story is inspiring. I have read accounts of men persecuted for the gospel of Christ, but none have been as relatable as this Nigerian who lives in Nigeria and is at the forefront of the persecution in the north.
He speaks about his transformation from a young soldier to a bishop. His wife, Gloria, his family and his remarkable generosity towards orphans. All I can say is get your copy of this book!
For 12 Week Year, I love that it provides practical insights into planning your days and being audacious. I haven’t given up on completing it yet, but self-help books took a backseat this past year. Perhaps I would pick it up again in 2026. Maybe not. The same goes for the second book on my list. Getting my hands on it this year was exhilarating. The author literally doesn’t care about your feelings as he means business with his words of advice.
Image source; Release International
2025 Wrapped- My Top skincare
Did you really think I would wrap up this post without mentioning skincare? Never! Let’s start with face care. Truthfully, this past year, my finances faced crises, and I couldn’t afford to splurge on skincare as I normally would. Thankfully, my skin behaved itself, and we managed to pull through.
My top face care fighters were:
- Facefacts Blemish Clarifying Foam Cleanser and
- Facefacts Hydrating Gentle Cleanser: These face washes were what my face needed for good oil control while not stripping the natural oils.
- Tiam vit B 3 serum- I had forgotten how good this serum is! Check out my full review here
- Nivea Sun Protect Water Gel SPF 50 PA +++; This sunscreen will always be a fave! I recommend this sunscreen to anyone who likes a skin-like finish and doesn’t like overwhelming skincare products.
For body care, my top fighters were:
- Dove body washes! Any dove wash that smells good always wins my heart
- Re CHARGE Orange and ginger Body wash plus foam bath
- Dove Advanced Care Invisible + Cucumber and Cactus Water Antiperspirant
- Nivea Nourishing Cocoa lotion
The past year has been filled with answered prayers- yes, no, not now.
I pivoted in ways I never thought I would and found out I really have no strength of my own- just God’s, and I am not mad about it.
I wish you a wonderful year ahead, amigos.
Cheers to 2026!
READ MORE: 2024 Recap- How You Practice More Being and Less Doing
Exhilarating content😍😍😍❤️❤️