Dearest Gentle Reader,
(Or however it is Lady Whistledown begins...)
Let’s Start With Retrospection…
One thing I promised myself when I started this newsletter and named it Doyin’s Honest Note was that I was going to be one thing: HONEST.
Every year, I say I will write 52 notes. Last year was the worst; I wrote just two. I could say that was the only number of times I happened to be honest, but the full truth is, I didn’t have it in me to be 100% present. I refuse to give you a note churned out by ChatGPT; that’s the easy way out, and we don’t do that here. Here, you get the full gist of what’s happening in my head.
I was asked many times when a new note would come. My answer was always that I wanted to hit a certain number of subscribers before returning. I didn’t hit that subscriber goal, which is my fault, but I realized I have that same number of readers on Substack anyway! I don’t quite know how to explain it, but I guess that is heaven’s good fortune and a sign for me to get back to work. (And for you to please share the newsletter!)
On My Last Note
My last note in 2025 was about failing. I hit “reset” at that point. 2023 and 2024 were spent fighting to get my life back on track, the way I had planned it. My plans were failing; the goals I had set had moved. For example, I always said I would be married by the time I turned 25. Well, I am very much unmarried and turning 26 in a few days.
But after writing that note, I decided to pick myself up, set new goals, and focus on what was working. You see, if you continue looking at what is failing, you will lose sight of where you are winning, and if you are not careful, you will lose your wins too. My big advice for 2026 is this: be honest and fight for your life.
For the Future
One thing I decided to do in 2025 was to focus on my blog and build it until it could pay for itself. I am happy to say I did just that. This year, I have many projects in the works. The Magazine is coming back, I am going harder on my YouTube channel, and I’m building my blog even further. I am also getting back on social media; my hiatus is over.
More importantly, I am dreaming big!
Here is what I have for you
You cannot build a meaningful life or body of work without being truthful about where you are.
If you are not mentally and emotionally present, forcing output will only drain you.
Failure is not the end, it is feedback. Pausing to reset can be the most powerful move you make.
Goals can change without meaning you have failed. Life does not always follow the timeline you imagined, and that is okay.
Protect your progress by acknowledging where you are succeeding.
Growth is built by committing to what is working and expanding it intentionally.
Big dreams require courage and consistency, not certainty.
Starting again is always an option. There is no deadline for becoming who you want to be.
Small promises kept consistently can shape an entire year.
Dreaming big is an act of faith and self-belief.
Progress does not need to be loud to be real.
So, what are your plans for the year? As for me, I promised you 52 notes. I have just sent one... 51 more to go!
As I love to say, A drop of honey for your year.
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