Long Time, Let's See

I know what it means to build a connection...

I know what it means to build a connection — the resources you have to sacrifice, the strength to persevere and hold onto it, and the many intangible things that go into sustaining that connection. I also know what it means to lose that connection. The most unacknowledged feeling when we lose a relationship is the feeling of neglect or abandonment. This is not even about the sacrifices or energy you put into it. It is the audacity the person might have to think they can just leave, like your internet acting up as you’re trying to make an urgent transfer or GTBank denying you access to your own money.

This is how I have been feeling since I last published on here. I remember when I started Bareness and someone asked me why. I wanted to sound serious, as though I had a genuine reason, but I couldn’t find the right words. And really, I started Bareness because I sometimes become impatient to share when I find something new. It was during the pandemic, everyone was trying to figure something out for themselves. And there was me, who just wanted to share anything. Something I didn’t acknowledge then was that I started Bareness because I no really get anyone to talk to. And I am glad a lot happened through Bareness. A lot.

I did not intend to stop writing to you. I became trapped in a lot of things and it became difficult to write anything outside work. I would have shared the revelations I encountered last time I was in Lagos, or my experiences during my time at a residency in Ibadan or how life has been amazing and rough yet, I find every reason to remain positive. Life has been kind, ngl. No regrets. Just living and hoping that someday, everything will align. We are not where we aspire to be, but we are also not where we were. I believe that should mean something as we aspire to become more.

I am grateful to everyone who reads Bareness, and everyone who dropped a note when I was away. I have met people who told me Bareness healed them in their times of despair. I used not to believe these things when people say them to musicians but I was so amazed and grateful. Thank you so much for reading, for following and for telling me what Bareness does to you. It’s been almost a year since I last wrote on here but Substack still gives me notifications of a new subscriber or a like or engagements. Eshey pupo.

What’s next? I can’t promise that I am back but I will publish one or two stuff before the year runs out. I also have a future plan to make Bareness a big thing, beyond Substack and into other industries like fashion and any other. I don’t know how it will happen but I am hoping that whenever it happens, I hope to see you there.

Take care.