Playlist Park #15: Development
"My resolution was, do everything I've been doing, better than I usually does" - Juelz Santana
Happy New Year, Family! I hope you’ve set your intentions, posted your re-caps, and planned your new diets for the year. Instead of making a traditional yearly resolution, a dear friend suggested focusing on a word or umbrella term throughout the year. For 2025, my word is "development."
In 2024, my guiding word was "engagement." I wanted to be more present with the people in New Orleans as a way to find a community that would support me and that I could support in return. This focus extended beyond just the people in this city; it also included my friends and loved ones. After spending seven years in the Crescent City, I often felt like a fly on the wall, lacking depth in my connections with others.
That meant cutting back on my “gardening” habits. I’m introspective by nature, so showing up to every function high as hell didn’t help me hold riveting conversations outside of “these snacks free?” It also required me to confront my leftover post-covid social anxiety, reminding myself to speak up and engage when I entered a room. Half the battle was simply showing up.
Why Development
We often focus too much on our shortcomings instead of enhancing our strengths. I believe I achieved my goals last year with the help of my new career, which involved prioritizing communication and exploring the city through interest-based groups, such as photo walks with other photographers.
New Orleans attracts and nurtures creatives, making it easy to connect with others who are open to sharing ideas and experiences. This year, I aim to build upon everything I started last year: Writing more, developing my street and portrait photography, making merch from my photos, reading more, and honing my public speaking and marketing skills by returning to school. I also want to be more honest with myself and apply all the mindfulness techniques I’ve learned. It's important to remember that we already have everything we need to reach the next level; it just requires a bit of dedication on our part.
On Repeat: 30 for 30 by SZA (with Kendrick Lamar)
Before I go, here’s a playlist of everything I shared on my socials and played throughout last year. This playlist is 6 hours long; I’d suggest running this on shuffle.
A little of everything from Jimi Hendricks to Young Thug.
See ya’ll next month!
Rather Be Home: A Prints by Pierre Collection
Come on DEVELOPMENT!. “Development” is such an overlooked and under appreciated word for building a year of substance. Great choice for a focus word for this year Nick! And great piece of work as usual!