what 2024 taught me about social impact

When I started sharing more about my work and the projects I was involved in, not only did I gain more traction, but I also started receiving more opportunities.

In this space, it can often feel like there’s an overwhelming amount of “accomplishments” being broadcasted. You open social media and all you see is, “I’m honored,” “I’m excited,” and so on.

We’ve all been there, right? Feeling a bit overwhelmed about others’ posts. Trust me, I’ve been on both sides of this experience ????

One day, I decided to sit down and review my posts. I realized that when I was actively sharing my work and the programs I was involved in, I noticed an increase in engagement, with more people reaching out to collaborate.

I also had a conversation with someone in the corporate sector that really stuck with me. He told me:

“You can’t control how people feel or act. You can’t change them.”

He encouraged me to continue doing what I was doing and reminded me that if someone felt a certain way about it, that was their responsibility, not mine.

At the end of the day, I’m building my own portfolio. I have a vision, and I’ll see it through.

Another piece of advice he shared was this:

"Once you discipline and better yourself, nothing else will bother you."

That completely shifted my mindset.

Now, I’m genuinely grateful and proud of everyone who shares their work, celebrates their awards, or posts about the opportunities they’ve received. I’ll continue to support you and encourage you to go even further. You’re not “showing off", and if anyone thinks that, let them. Keep posting, and remember: you can’t control how others feel. You have to do what’s right for you.

In 2024, I turned down many opportunities. Some of them aligned with my work, and I had the capacity to take them on, but I realized I needed to learn from my past mistakes.

In 2023, I was constantly on the go, which led to extreme burnout.

I neglected my mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health, which took a toll on my well-being, my communication, and my relationships with loved ones.

My whole focus was just social impact and nothing else.

At the end of the year, I had a big wake-up call. Transitioning into 2024, I made a promise to myself:

I would only take on opportunities that aligned with my values and needs, without compromising my wellness.

By doing this, I was able to contribute to meaningful projects in a healthier, happier way.

The excitement of being accepted to a program is one thing, but actually committing to it, while balancing your other responsibilities, is another.

Prioritize your health and wellness, and everything else will fall into place.

In 2024, I began to understand who truly wanted me in their circle and who didn’t.

From receiving disingenuous mentorship to encountering individuals who only wanted something from me, I realized that I had been entering toxic relationships and needed to step back.

What really helped was recognizing who had consistently supported me and who hadn’t. It became clear that I needed to focus on strengthening relationships with those who truly had my back.

In this space, connections are everything. Pay attention to those who champion you, whether they’re reaching out, recommending you for opportunities, or speaking about you in rooms you’re not in.

You’ll go through experiences that teach you hard lessons, but know that those lessons are the ones that build you into a stronger advocate and person.

Be mindful of your connections and keep the genuine ones close.

I promise you, they’ll help you grow and succeed. And remember, this goes both ways, your genuine support will naturally come full circle.

What lessons did you learn in 2024? I’d love to know! Share in the comments below ????

???? I’m Tooba, I provide mentorship, resources, and support to youth committed to making a difference. I started this newsletter to help changemakers like you stay inspired, focused, and supported.