I’m clearing out the cobwebs here because it’s been a hot minute! It was for a good reason, as your girl is finally done with school! Did I hear screams? You better scream for joy on my behalf, lol!
I had this long written in my head, and it’s been four weeks since my last paper as a medical student in medical school. The last exam paper I had was on 20th April 2023. My exam lasted ten days, from 11th April to 20th April 2023.
Sharing the news with you was also nerve-wracking because I wasn’t sure where to start. That’s one of the reasons this would be a three-part series. This is the first. The second would be my gratitude list, and the third would be my graduation story.
When I say those were the most stressful days of my life so far, I’m not even joking. What made it stressful was that I had been preparing weeks ahead with more hours assigned to studying compared to other things I enjoyed, like movies, hanging out with friends and sleeping- oh, my precious sleep!
While the world is quick to move on to the next accomplishment, I’m learning to step back and take a moment to absorb the significance of a dream come true. I’ve been stuck “planning” the next thing to do and not realizing the significance of my latest experience.
Our last day of “normalcy” before the pandemic in 2020
Someone I know mentioned how “life” was starting and the ton of exams and stress after finishing medical school. I agree, but one thing I won’t do is let this accomplishment dwindle because of the work to come. Let it come. Others have done it, and everything good will come just in time.
Honestly, it hasn’t felt like things have been in time. For starters, this degree of 6 years took almost 9. I hate when people try to do suffering contest with their responses;
“Oh, just 9? I spent 11 years in medical school.” That is a ridiculous response to give someone confiding in you, but that’s beyond the point of this post.
While the world is quick to move on to the next accomplishment, I’m learning to take a step back and take a moment to absorb the significance of a dream come true.
God worked it out, and while I’m done reeling from the stress emotionally and physically, I just had to give a breakdown of everything!
In 2014 I filled out the JAMB (Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board) form and eagerly put in medicine and surgery. My matriculation was on 23rd January 2015, and a few weeks after, I resumed college.
Would you believe that every year since I resumed in 2015 was marked by at least one academic or non-academic strike?
By 2016, I had moved to the College of Medicine, where I was supposed to spend five years. My time as a medical student was filled with volunteering, serving as the welfare secretary of my association and Yearbook class, attending and planning outreaches, taking a break to enjoy non-medical stuff, and I even fell in love with and started content creation in school!
Meanwhile, studying medicine was not rosy. I was aware of that fact but bruh! The humbling experience was seeing scores I had never dreamed of being a reality for me😂 Fast forward to my first clinical year in 2018. Typically, it takes about two years to be done with clinical, and I was excited at the near end.
Then COVID happened in 2020, and things went from bad to worse.
Symposium Day
It’s a different ball game going through the days, minutes and seconds of those years with uncertainties, questions from family and loved ones, doubts, ugly tears, fear and faith. I share a bit of the struggle on my last birthday post here.
On the 11th of April, 2023, my finals started, and 17 days later, I saw all my results!
Final results day!
I’m glad to be over with this phase. It still feels like a dream, and while I know there’s so much work to be done, especially as a graduate and with adult-ing, I’m grateful to God that it’s another chapter in my life!
The second part of this series is my open letter to those on my gratitude list. These are people who made my journey easier and my load lighter.
Here’s a look, and you might see your name there!
Please share what you would love to see on the blog as well!
Glad you’re here for part 2 of my medical student journey to the MBBS series!
You should check out Part 1 here for more context if you just saw this post.
Aside from documenting how this phase of my life is finally over, the main goal of this post is to thank people who were there when it mattered a lot to me!
If you viewed my WhatsApp status during my exams, you’ve probably seen me thank everyone for the food, money, prayers, and so much more on my status. This list must feature on the blog because when something leaves a mark on my heart, I believe it stays there.
Shall we begin?
First would be to God, who gave me peace beyond understanding. The peace I had and joy despite fears couldn’t have been given by anyone else but Him.
Then, of course, my parents! To my mummy (best in discernment and prayers) and daddy (cash supplier and motivator)- these guys are the real owners of my degree!
From 2020 and how things became disordered with school, my parents quickly reminded me of God’s faithfulness when I felt stagnant. I could write (and perhaps would someday) a book on them, and despite our differences in personality and some ideologies, I won’t trade them for anything ❤️
My sisters
Next would be my siblings – Chizzy, Uzo, Chekwube, Nedebem and Mezuo. These made me know who cheerleaders were before I understood the meaning. The constant calls, gifts, prayers, celebrating small moments and encouragement coloured my dark days, and I love life with you!
To my partner, friend and the man that I love- Bel! Being in the same class as the one you’re dating can be challenging, and this period was a lot for us. Yet studying with you and seeing some of our discussions come out as questions always made me glad! Those long hours of wanting to check up on each other, but constrained by our books, are now in the past, and it still feels like a dream! Cheers to more wins and dreams come true. Thanks for being part of this journey, babe.
My church, Crown Reformed Assembly! I joined this church in 2019 after a terrible church hurt, and it’s been home. To my Pastors P.Eyinna and P. Arimoro, Mama Bear, Mummy Toun, Sis Alaba, Nosa, Debby, Sis Lizzy, Praise and everyone else! The prayers, love and hugs have meant the world to me, and I look forward to more.
Freedom Court and CMDA also deserve mention, as the support given during my exams was immense! The Freedom Court meal tickets, stationery, and CMDA food made your girl feel super loved!
Now there’s a friend that sticks closer than a brother, and one that comes to mind easily is Matthew! The way this guy showed up for me, especially during the never-ending final year, needs to be studied. Thank you for the banters, prayers, rebuke, and food and for sharing your babe, Tobi, with me!
Sophia, my babe and sister girl! My friend would send voice notes and sweet emails to cheer me up. Her excitement for this induction never ceases to amaze me. I don’t have to “act” strong with Sophia; that is everything to me!
One special mention of my friend, Layo! I got to share my final year room with Layo, which was an experience. When you say someone is determined, think of Layo. My landlord (as I often call her) is an early riser, influencing my reading habit for good. She would ask me questions randomly and remind me to cover certain topics.
I remember the Monday before we started exams, Layo made us review a topic I had been avoiding. Guess what showed up in that paper? The same topic we revised! I had no plans of reading that topic, so imagine my joy when I saw it. There are so many instances of how we prepared and were ordered by God in these exams, but this post would become a book if I go on, lol!
Another person that has absolute support and cheerleader is my gee, Kola! This young man has been a friend and one of the best people in my corner. From the moment our school calendar got ruined, he was always there to listen and cheer me on. For your gifts and timely words, thank you!
My study group deserves an honourable mention too! We called ourselves “E choke,” and some days were like that. One thing I loved about my guys is how we never ceased celebrating our little wins after each end-of-posting exam. Ige, John, Jemiseye, Darley, Tochukwu, Gerald, Henry, Jessica and Busayo! I always looked forward to our meetings and bullying you guys. Imagine my joy when we all saw our results- all aces, no misses!
I left out three people in the study group mention because we became a tight-knit reading group and friends- Success Academy medics, aka Asambodo (Igbo for “well acclaimed”).
Oma, Feyi and Chris! I can’t put the finger on how we ended up reading together, but these guys are my highlight for final year med school. Oma would always cheer us when we were tired and ask questions in between readings to wake us up. The most relaxed and confident go to Feyi! She never missed a beat to remind us that we could and would clear our finals!
To the only guy in our midst- Chris! If you needed someone who appeared not to care but cared a great deal for his own, then you’ve found Chris. We frustrated him with our constant time wasting, but his consistency with reminding us of reading times, giving us timely information, coming up with mnemonics and being a good sport was the best!
We made memories, and I look forward to the next phase more, God willing!
“Asambodo” doctors
I wrap up this first gratitude section with a shout-out to my block 2 & 4 girls! For context, block 2 is where I stayed in the hostel. We were 5 in block two, who were close, and 3 in block 4. Layo, Oma, Awi, Ajayi, Chisom, Tosin and Feyi.
You’re already familiar with Layo, Oma and Feyi.
Awi was an efficient, organized and thoughtful planner. Chisom came with information, and this girl’s brain is a magnet! There was Ajayi, who would calmly remind us of times when we lost focus, and Tosin would give her cute sighs when the information was overwhelming. While we were not as consistent with the hostel group meetings, it was always a good time to come together while preparing for our practical exam.
These ladies gave me good memories, and I’m glad to have spent time with them in that phase of our lives.
NB; exam brethren is a tradition in my medical school where a kind gesture is shown to the students in the form of food, money, prayers and encouragement. It reduces the burden of exams.
To Dr. Kunmi, who kicked off exam brethren for me. It was so unexpected, and I would say the sweetest gesture! To Dr. Idio, who’s been a present elder and cheerleader!
To Raphael, my sweet boy! For always being willing to share your space for my convenience and the meals! To Dami, AMSUL’s welfare sec with the kind gesture!
Chibuezeeee! The amount of cheering and food this guy sent my way was humbling. Thank you so much!
To Dr. Mimi for her prayer for peace. I panicked a week before my exams, and she came to mind. That’s how this woman spoke God’s truth to my heart.
My sweet Pharmacists Uche, Vitamin Kay and Denrele!
One trait they both share in common? Being supportive. Uche sent the most thoughtful messages unprovoked to cheer me on. How do you do that consistently to someone you haven’t seen in a while?
What about Denrele and reminding me of my grit in secondary school? That guy believed in me more than I did at a point in this ridiculously long journey.
There’s also my baby girl, Kanyi, aka Vitamin Kay. Thank you for all the calls, messages, gifts and cheering.
To my Spectrum mama (set 2018); Dr. Chiamaka, Dr. Ejiro, Dr. Salamah and Dr. Tumi!
Chimax gave me a “blank cheque” for my exam, brethren, and it was so kind! I remember looking at her text and being speechless with joy.
Ejiro’s advice, food and cheers were like a soothing balm! They were always timely.
Sallieeeee! Salamah’s gift box was too adorable, but the gift for me was her home. This woman and Tomi ensured Chris, Oma, Feyi, Bel, and I had access to their place when there was no power supply in the hostels and we needed to read or charge our devices. She (or Tomi) never complained despite how inconveniencing it would have been! I’m pretty hospitable, but this gesture was far too kind, and I can’t forget it.
Tumi has a way with words and is so helpful! Your sweet gesture was heartwarming, and I’m honoured!
Also, to Dr. Festus, who has been cheering in my corner! Thank you so much for the kind gesture, for real.
To Dr. Godwin, my Gynix Africa boss, Dr. Oyor, Dr. Hassan, Dr. Tiolu, his gracious wife Kene, and Dr. Bailey- the kind gesture and food cannot be easily forgotten! Thank you so much.
To my first ever “school mama,” Dr. Ayoyi, who always pushed me beyond limitations and the frequent cheering! To Dr. Benedicta, who would always check up on her babies despite the distance. Thank you, mama! Also, Dr. Tegzi: Thank you for being a support and checking in frequently, especially during the breaks!
I pray that you always get help when you need it, and just as you put a smile on my lips, you will have endless moments of joy!
To my CLAXIX faves (set 2019): Dr. Seki, my sugar mummy of Lagos, with the study materials, advice, exam brethren and cheering. Dr. Bibi, whose hugs and banters I have missed! Dr. Mariam, with the sweet voice and coming through for me! Dr. Susu’s kindness and cheerleading for me. Dr. Yemyem with links to materials, kind words, advice and listening to my rants. You, ladies, didn’t spare a moment to be kind to me, and I’m so grateful!
Then Dr. Ileri was always receptive and cheered me from my welfare secretary days. Those cinnamon rolls were awesome, by the way!
To my Tetris babies (set 2021); Ada Beke, Goodness, Oluchi, Jennifer, Tumininu, Iremide, Gracie, Lara, Sanmi, Nazom, Foluso, David, Halita, Noel, and Nonso. Thank you for the meals, prayers and kind words! I look forward to celebrating with you guys soon.
To my set ’22 and ’23 babies: Amanda Dukor, Chioma, Shekinah, Doreen, Nonye, Chiamaka and Adaobi. For all the hugs, the meals, prayers and the success messages- thank you, babies!
To my friends from secondary school: Khadi, Ayo, Nicole, Hope, KKC, Tayo and Segun. The constant messages to check up on me and cheers whenever I ranted on my WhatsApp status about feeling behind with the “delays.” Thank you so much!
To my Festac family from secondary school: Mope, Moni, Mojola, Pascal, Uche, Tonna, Desire, Eden and Favour. Thank you for the jokes and meals shared. For the days of discussions and planning our meetups, we could forget about the things that didn’t seem to be working so as to be in the present. Those moments are always cherished, and I look forward to more!
Finally, to myself! I kept on this journey despite the moments of breaking down and losses. I fought for this, and thankfully, God upheld me!
While I tried my best to include all the names I could remember because it takes a village to raise one person, and that’s my story! Thank you, guys, for being part of my MBBS story and for cheering me along the way.
The third part of this series will be after my graduation by God’s grace, so subscribe below and stay tuned to the blog for more!
When I thought of what to share this December, it was a no-brainer to share a walk through the year.
My first-ever end-of-year post on the blog gave me nostalgia while re-reading and I got to experience 2021 again. It’s one reason I love writing. It feels as if I’m taking a picture of moments, but with much more as I take your imagination along.
Anyways, while people may not be as hyped about a new year, I think it’s worth celebrating.
I titled this “life lately” because most of my posts have been on skincare which is no surprise as I focused more on the beauty aspect of A Dash of Iruoma.
Life lately has been interesting. This year I felt more like an adult, pitched shamelessly, learned how to be vulnerable with loved ones, made lots of mistakes, wrestled with God, loved more, and allowed myself to be loved.
Let’s go through the months together, shall we?
It’s so easy to covet people’s wins. You can compare yours and want something better but pause to enjoy your own.
January
January started with me attending a dear friend’s wedding. I went with my sister and boy did she feed us well, lol!
The sad thing about being a med student is the school doesn’t really go on breaks so I had to resume the next day. Imagine carrying your luggage alongside your slaying dress at a wedding😂 That was me! I came home a few days later to celebrate my mum’s birthday. She’s my biggest cheerleader in the family, and I pray I get to do more for her in 2023!
There was also a lot of planning for my final year class traditional dinner. It was beautiful and turned out to be a highlight. Crazy how we’re spending 1 year remembering it still in the same class thanks to strike actions.
I also launched the monthly freebie for my newsletter community which was monthly wallpapers. That was the start of my consistency with it.
Me at my friend’s wedding in January
A collage of 2022 Wallpapers- a gift I started in January for my Newsletter community.
I have so much to share in 2023 so don’t be left behind- join us!
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February
At this point, school work was getting a lot as the rotation I was in, had classes every single day! Their efficiency is top-notch but a girl needed to just rest.
We also had our YBC photoshoot and trust me and my YBC partner and me to match outfits.😂
My girl, VitaminKay, an illustrator and fashion stylist graduated from pharmacy school. She was the last person close to me in a junior class from another department leaving and while I was sad to no longer keep seeing her, it was a beautiful day!
February won’t be complete without my Valentine’s date with my baby. The thoughtfulness that went into it wasn’t surprising because he’s the best at being intentional, but it still blew me away!
At Vitamin Kay’s induction party
PS: there’s a lot about final year class events because I'm currently in final year with events that bring us together and give us memories.
March
This month, I started Dermatology posting which was interesting. I still don’t think I’ll specialize there because it’s only skincare I love, and this field is more than that- oops! Still a no for me.
Did I mention that by this time, everyone else was about 2 weeks into the strike action that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had started? I was still having clinical activities, and we were so close to the end of rotation exams.
Or so I thought.
This month was also my sister’s birthday. Thankfully it was the weekend and I was home with our family friends who turned up making it a good one for Chizzy.
In Dermatology posting (the first time)
April
Prior to this time, I had been off IG. It was supposed to be the “off-time” before my final examinations started plus I was burned out.
Anyways, I decided to try TikTok. Since the stress of creating on IG was sucking the joy of my creating, why not try a more relaxed place?
I started on April 1st and became the dancing and pointing skincare girlie😂
It was also the month of our final year class symposium. Seeing all of us (me and my classmates) looking so good and not like the stress we were going through gave me goosebumps in a good way.
It was so beautiful. Burnt orange and navy blue are a good combination, I’ll give Chris( one of the vice presidents) that!
A few days later, the school sent students home due to the strike. This was the third time in a row and let’s just say it was the worst feeling ever.
Before leaving, my friends and I had a mini girls’ night out to enjoy because we weren’t sure how long it would take to see each other again.
We were right, it would be 6 months before we saw again.
Me and Layo at our symposiumMe and my favorite babyMy favorite study partners from L to R: are Feyi, Chris, and Oma.
May
This was the staying-at-home pro-max month. I barely left the house during the strike actually.
This was also the month I struggled with dermatitis around my jaw and between my nasal folds. It was a scary experience because I just woke up one day with flaking around my jaw and nose. Thankfully, I traced it to a skincare product that was fake.
Anyways, my face got better and the dermatitis improved with more skincare, and I even dabbled into makeup this month.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate that fact. If you ever saw Iruoma, and doing her makeup in the same sentence, I would have said you were dreaming, but guess who can do more than draw her eyebrows now? Meeeee!
JUNE
In June, I became more consistent with the blog in terms of sharing weekly posts. That was when monthly skincare empties began because I wanted to share more skincare product reviews.
It was also my first adult picnic hosted by my friend at Ndubuisi Kanu park. If you’re looking for an inexpensive place to chill with loved ones and friends in Lagos, you should see my review about this park.
In June, there were tons of celebrations: friends’ birthdays, my partner’s birthday, and my parents’ wedding anniversary. It was a good way to take my mind off the feeling of stagnancy.
My friends and I at Ndubuisi Kanu Park
JULY
That thing people say about birthday blues is real! To make matters worse, it was the third birthday in a row I spent at home stuck because of the academic strike. Now it’s one thing to not define your life by events and circumstances, but there’s only so much you can take.
Thankfully, I had the best people around me. From my family to my partner and friends.
I can say that this birthday was an enjoyable one, and seeing God’s hands in the little details was the reassurance I needed for that season.
My sweet sister!
AUGUST
It was my brother’s graduation from secondary (high) school. What’s funny is that I have been in university the whole duration of my baby brother’s secondary school!
It was also my baby brother’s birthday month, and just like that, he’s a teenager.
I had my first collaboration on the blog with my friend, Uloma, who is a natural hair enthusiast and make-up artist.
SEPTEMBER
This month, I finally returned to Instagram. I’m probably being dramatic by saying I returned, but I was exhausted, as I mentioned earlier. It’s not a do-or-die affair, but I love creating, and by this time, I felt Tiktok had been helpful in reminding me of why I started creating in the first place: To share with no pressure. Now that I wanted to focus more on skincare, it felt easier.
I also learned to define consistency for me and the importance of community.
It was also this month I had a mini-reunion with my family and friends. We went to the same high school and lived close to one another. That day is still so memorable because of our laughter and discussions. We’re getting older with different worldviews, but I love our bond!
The first episode of skincare chats was launched this month! I remember toying with the idea, and your feedback was so encouraging! My siblings also went back to school for the new term, and I was reminded of where I was as a student.
It was also preparation time for my friend’s wedding, as I was the chief bridesmaid. This month ended with me breaking my glasses (yet again), and it wasn’t even up to a month of getting emotional damage!
Said goodbye to my siblings in secondary school.
OCTOBER
This month started with my friend’s wedding! It is one thing to be in the background when things are just dreams and another thing to be part of the dream come true. That feels fulfilling.
I was stressed leading up to the day because of the logistics of my getting there and after the event. Much to my relief, everything turned out great, and it was a beautiful experience!
Me and Bola at her wedding!
Another friend of mine hosted us for her birthday, and meeting the girls again was lovely.
L to R: Mebi, Ore, Feyi (the celebrant), and me!
By the end of this month, I got my second PR package from a Nigerian skincare brand called Soapy Suds. I reviewed all the products I got in this post here. It was a good feeling because I felt seen in my craft.
Did I mention that the federal government and ASUU finally called off their 8-month-long strike?
Once again, my life had to readjust to being a student after months of not reading my books.
NOVEMBER
It was hard readjusting to school. The first week was tough as I had “forgotten” how to be a student. By the next week, it was a bit better, and the regular medical student taunts during ward rounds and clinical activities made me a student by force.
I love this picture so much despite not blending my sunscreen well
Asides from adjusting, trying to figure out content posting schedules was hard too. Ideally creating content ahead of time helped me stay consistent, but in between school’s unpredictable schedule and just needing time to read and even sleep, it was tough.
I got around 2-3 times a week posting on IG and Titkok. My priority was sending my weekly newsletters and churning out new blog posts.
This month, I had my first international PR collaboration from TikTok with JUNOCO- a skincare brand committed to normalizing and celebrating skin with flaws.
Afterwards, it was a slow countdown to my third rotation exams. Count how many times I was asked if this was the final exam! That’s the thing with med school. There are lots of exams!
November was bittersweet. For my health, school, and content creation. Even my walk with God. I thought the prior months had some tough days, but November was something else.
JUNOCO’s Cleansing Powder as shot by my other sister!
DECEMBER
On the exam day, my girls and I wore the same color ❤️ Post-exam joy!
December was an exciting month. I felt like I was living two lives with grief and joy. Someday, I’ll talk about the grief aspect when I’m ready.
I finished my 3rd clinical rotation exam this month, and now it’s a countdown to the last lap! This month, I hosted my first giveaway in collaboration with Paxo Beauty on Instagram.
Giveaway Giveaway
Another highlight was getting a collaboration from TikTok again, which was my first paid deal! I went from being clueless to putting myself out there with creating and even learning how to pitch and negotiate. There’s still a lot of work to be done in this regard, but going from point zero to 10 is growth, and you can’t imagine how good it felt!
The week leading up to Christmas was stressful and rewarding. I attended my first content creator meet, and it was a highlight! My friends got engaged, and another hosted her birthday party on Christmas Eve.
I got home on Christmas day, and aside from the chores, I enjoyed being with my family! In between, I attended a games night with some of my friends, and it was great to see adults acting like kids with no care in the world, even if it was for a few hours.
My first content creator meet-up!Me and Bae!Me and Sophia at her Birthday party.
That’s it, my friends! I wish I could fit every memory and moment from 2022 into this post.
I hope you had a good year. Not just good based on “good” things happening to you, but good because you’re alive with hope and things to be thankful for no matter how little.
It’s been a while since we’ve had any personal diary posts and while attending this content creator meet-up, I made up my mind to enjoy the moments and share them with you too.
A few weeks ago, Doreen, a Faith, and Lifestyle content creator and YouTuber spoke about wanting to host a meet-up where content creators could meet physically.
Prior to that, after my hiatus from Instagram, I had been praying about meeting more content creators.
Here’s the thing with creating content online. The internet is a funny place and it’s easy to look over boundaries or think you’re friends with people when honestly you only know what they show. Yet again, the internet has potential for good and I have been a first-hand witness to this.
Take for instance the skincare community. I describe it as the gift that keeps giving. People who I have never met in my entire life literally support my work because we bond over the mutual struggle for creating and skincare.
Back to this event! When Doreen shared her idea of hosting this female-only meet-up on her Instagram stories, I whispered a thank you to God because it was one prayer I didn’t even know how it would be answered.
Thankfully 17th of December,2022 came, and the first edition of Created to Create, an initiative of The Purposeful Creatrs Collective happened!
Here are some of the highlights from the day:
The Venue
The event was held at Eridan space, The Philippi Centre, Ikeja Lagos. I loved the space that was used and the backdrop design! On the chairs, we had a card and snacks which I found really thoughtful of the planning committee!
When we started
The event started late due to us waiting for some of the speakers. Lagos traffic in December isn’t even funny. We started almost two hours later than the assigned time, but I wasn’t mad because I had looked forward to the day. The snacks came in handy during the waiting period too!
Once most of the speakers had arrived, we started with an opening prayer. I was in a room with women who create content and have a reverence for God. Sign me up!
After that, we had 2 pretty MCs who alternated. There was also the ice breaker session where we played the popular 2 truths and a lie. Mine were:
“I’m the first kid,
I love Indomie noodles and,
I love skincare”.
What do you think the lie is? Share with me in the comments!
1st session by Ifeoma Nwobu
The second highlight of this content creator event was by Ifeoma Nwobu, a 23-year-old former model who is currently the co-founder of Sendstack. Africa, a logistics company. She talked about transforming your mindset to unlock room for exponential growth.
Asides from her charisma and fashion sense, she held me captivated by her points. The best part for me was the funnel analogy. This simply means we actually envision before we “do”. She also talked about how we belittle ourselves and the dreams we have forgetting that God who has given them is more than able to help.
After her session and questions, there was a giveaway where the lucky winner won a set of press-on nails from Yodowv.
2nd Session by independent Bella and dodo
After the first session, we had the host, Doreen, and Isabella a top-notch fashion blogger and YouTuber come up to give their experience in content creation. Seeing Bella in real time was awesome! She’s one of those Nigerian creatives whose consistency shows and I love it!
They talked about how their Christian faith determines their worldview even down to the type of deals they take and the integrity of their content. This summed up their panel discussion which was titled “Creating excellently without compromise”.
My favorite parts were Dodo talking about taking a break from IG and coming back with a renewed perspective, as well as Bella talking about how she used maximized her old phone because she started with what she had.
After this, we went behind to get our finger foods and drinks before the next session began. There was also a moment when we had to introduce ourselves to the other ladies in the room and network. We got some information about ourselves and our social handles to keep up with each other.
Our speakers from L to R are: Ifeoma Nwobu, Laura Kanayo, Isabella, Ijeoma Deborah, Esther Adebayo, and Doreen. Image source from TPC
3rd Session by Laura Kanayo, Ijeoma Deborah, and Temi Adebayo
The final session was titled “Jesus, Art, and Business”. It was for business owners and there were tons of questions. In all fairness, as a content creator, I believe you’re a business owner. You are either selling your services or products.
Laura Kanayo is a minimalist makeup artist with one of the best skin-like finishes. Ijeoma Deborah has two businesses- a journal shop and beauty (specifically haircare). Esther Adebayo runs her Ready to Wear brand in addition to her 9-5 job.
They talked about doing things differently, asking for help, and discovering your value so you’re not undercharged.
After these sessions, we wrote a letter on the ready-made cards given to us and exchanged them with others.
There was also another giveaway sponsored by Temi Adebayo Co and the lucky winner won a dress.
Doreen was called forward to give the closing remark and my baby girl burst into tears halfway. It was heartfelt as she mentioned how the idea came to her and how God supplied all that was needed and even more to make it a success!
I was just there smiling because God answered my prayer in a way that was far better than what I could conceive.
After her speech, we took pictures and cut the cake. Oh, that red velvet was so yummy! I had to dedicate a sentence to its flavor- lol!
We were done by past 6 pm and while we ordered our rides, I snuck in some time for pictures.
Created to Create is one content creator meet I hope happens again because every creator and business owner needs community. Nothing beats one with the same values you have and people who encourage you to dream big!
If you’re in Nigeria and looking for a good community of content creators, check TPC so you can be updated about future events and opportunities.
I’m curious to see your answers on the two truths and a lie in the comments! See you there.
Happy new month! It’s safe to say this year has been moving fast and sometimes I wonder what it would have looked like if I was done with school already, but oh well!
Welcome back here! If it’s your first time reading my blog- I do a monthly recap of some of my favorite things aka monthly favorites. The goal is to enjoy things that seem ordinary, but sparked joy or made me enjoy the moments and I hope they inspire you too.
I’ll be recapping September in the following ways:
My favorite memory
Picking a favorite memory wasn’t easy because I had more than one good moment last month. Some of them were:
Getting to do my makeup after I was sick for a few days. It felt therapeutic in a way. That day was also sweet because I finally wore my contacts in less than a minute. I use a prescribed pair for the days I don’t want to wear my glasses. Putting them on myself was always such a chore. It just made me relish how far I’ve come with wearing them myself now.
Getting a notification from WordPress on the blog reaching 10,000 views! Focusing on numbers is not ideal but if I’m being honest, you need the numbers as proof that something is going well (or not) and that felt rewarding for me!
Visiting my friends- I’m part of a group of family friends who attended the same secondary school and we try to stay in touch, especially during the holidays. My friend organized a meetup and I’m glad I didn’t chicken out. That day was beautiful because we were 3 pairs of sisters and bonded over food and lots of talking.
That is not to say September didn’t suck at some point, but I'm getting used to how life can't always be filled with perfect moments.
My biggest challenge
I would say living what I “preached” every day in terms of trusting God in my current season. Last month caught me knee-deep in exhaustion and just wondering when this phase would be over. Earlier this week, I shared something with my newsletter community on waiting.
Sunday was a mess for me and just reminded me of why I did not like being stuck by this whole strike situation. By that same night, I read a mail about waiting.
On Monday I wrote about learning while waiting.
On Tuesday I got another mail about waiting. It was as if God in His providence was reassuring my heart with words of encouragement. My biggest challenge in September (and actually this whole year) has been staying still, but I keep on learning.
I am so proud of myself for…
The blog’s growth! Lately, I have been giving my time and attention to my little baby.
I’m also proud of myself for showing up even when I didn’t feel like it. This is my building season and I’m not ashamed of that! Knowing I have people that care about the things I share here, pushes me to show up even when compensation is taking its precious time.
Speaking of showing up, I have created monthly minimalist and inspirational wallpapers since January, plus a digital book that my mailing list gets.
October’s Monthly Wallpapers shared in the newsletter
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I favorited some of the messages, DMs, and emails from people last month. Those made me thankful for how far I’ve come and also for the community I have. You make it worth it, no cap!
PS: If you love words of affirmation as I do, try keeping a praise file. It’s just a collection of messages and encouragement that you can look back at on days you feel overwhelmed. You can also do this for a friend or partner as a gift.
What do I need to let go from September?
I think it would be second-guessing myself when reaching out to brands I want to work with. This month, I intend to just do so anyways. The worst that would happen is getting no or no response. But the best could be getting them- who knows?
What do I want to really happen this month?
I want to create more content and take pictures. I hate that my phone’s storage limits me in terms of the quantity of content I can create at once. Please pray for my camera dream to come true, okay?
Also, I really want to see more of my friends! It’s been so long and I miss wholesome conversations, games, and food.
Favorite Media (TV show, Movie, Book, Song, or Podcast)
My favorite movie last month was Labour Day. It was an unconventional story of a convict, depressed single mother, and her teenage son, that makes you want to be gracious to people no matter their background and I enjoyed it!
Ps-I do not own the rights to this image
This is a new quarter and in the digital space, there’s a lot of motivation to get things done, finish the year well, etc. My friend, life is more nuanced than that and your growth shouldn’t be tied to pressure or metrics.
I pray that you have a good quarter filled with joy, peace, growth, and trust in God.
What was last month like for you? Do you have any plans for the new month or taking it one day at a time?
Some of my favorite things to share are highlights from the week or month. That’s how the monthly favorites posts were born on the blog. It makes me look back on some of the little things that have happened in my life and share them with you so you can be inspired to enjoy your moments too.
How is it September already?
Happy new month!
Here are 5 favorites things I enjoyed in August;
Blog Wins
August was the month I got a lot of feedback on the blog. Do you know what I find funny? I had looked forward to replying more human comments and seeing my blog posts rank higher on google, but I didn’t know how happy I would be when these moments finally arrived.
This past month, a few people also shared their skincare journey that was influenced by me. It may not be a big deal to others but knowing that someone trusts my words enough to spend their money on the products I recommend means so much to me.
It’s tempting to hide your work from others, but you’ll be robbing them of the good work God has given you the grace to do. Please share what you do with others.
Coming back on Twitter
Social media and I are in a love-hate relationship. I love the impact you can have, the bridges you can set up, and even the experiences you get by interacting with people all over the world.
That said, social media sometimes overwhelms me. If there was any app I would point to that topped the list of apps that stressed me, it was Twitter.
Coming back on Twitter was one of my month’s favorites because I was going in “afraid”. I’m less anxious now that I have some clarity on what I want to share there, but it’s one step at a time so it deserves a special mention.
Find me here and let me know you’re from the blog!
Skin
It’s safe to say that skinwould be a constant factor in these posts because I can’t help it.
I’ve noticed my facial skin breaks out a week or two before my period and now I’m less agitated anytime I see those pimples. Perfect skin is an illusion, but healthy skin is the goal!
I’m now left with some dark spots where the breakouts were and while that is annoying, I have to wait till I can afford products targeted at hyperpigmentation. Some of my products ran out and I already have some replacements to try out so currently, your girl is broke!
PS- I've tried the good molecules discolouration correcting serum and eyeing their toner, but let me know in the comments if you have tried any products targeted at dark spots!
There was some normalcy this past month as I resumed watching movies. All is well with the world again, lol. I barely saw a movie last month due to the deadlines of my writing internship but things are a bit calmer now and I’m back to relaxing with Netflix.
I saw Purple hearts, Look Both Ways, Day Shift,Persuasion, and Lockdown. It’s hard to pick the best between Lockdown and Day Shift.
Day Shift was hilarious and action-filled. It shows how much a man is willing to fight for the ones he loves (how much more God). The main character is a vampire slayer and before you roll your eyes at yet another vampire movie, this one had some good vibes. Imagine classifying vampires and knowing their age based on their fangs or having a whole union assigned to fighting vampires. It was a cool take on an over-flogged theme that and I enjoyed it.
Lockdown is a Nollywood movie that made me proud. I had some issues with the way the doctor relayed important information, but other than that, they did a good job of paying attention to details! I laughed so much that balanced the serious themes the movie shared.
This is turning into movie reviews so I’ll end by saying these movies made me happy and I recommend them for a good laugh and stress relief!
Listened
My top podcast listens for August were on sexuality and bible study.
Anything that involves Christians talking about biblical sexuality, count me in! I love the candid discussions lately in Christian communities and I can’t wait for more people to be unashamed in talking about these real topics.
For Bible study: Building a sustainable bible routine by Verity was what I needed on the day I listened. She talked about how different seasons of our lives can impact our study of the Bible , the origin of “quiet time” and what intimacy with God looks like.
As usual, I won’t tell you that August was perfect because there were moments I hated. Overall it was a good month and that’s because I got to see some of the things I’ve been praying for happening. I look forward to the rest of the year and more highlights.
I just want to know- Is it okay if I start singing Christmas songs? We’re officially in the -ember months and I’ve been humming them.
Please share your favorite thing from last month with me in the comments. I want to read them all!
It’s been over a week into August and I would not even give the excuse of being too busy to upload this post because I ignored the reminders.
Happy new month, lovelies!
I started sharing monthly favorites (apart from skincare) last month on the blog and received such amazing feedback. My goal is to spur you to take note of the seemingly mundane things around you that you actually enjoy.
I also share weekly favorites and inspirational newsletters so join us by signing up below;
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In the spirit of sharing more, here are July’s favorites:
Celebrations
July is my birth month! I clocked the “scary” 25 and while it was my third birthday at home on another strike action, I would say it was one of my best. I shared all the details from what happened on the day to the areas I’ve grown in.
Writing More
I started a writing internship at the beginning of July. Ladies (and gentlemen), when I tell you I have never written as much in such little time as I did last month, I’m not kidding. As I write this, it is the last week.
I loved that I have learned more about the tone of my writing, how to get past imposter syndrome, writing with others, and meeting new people who love to write! There was a week I almost quit, but the encouragement from some friends reminded me of why I started in the first place. It’s definitely one highlight from July!
Skin
You know that skincare had to come in, haha!
Me enjoying how my skin looked last month
One thing I enjoyed about my skin last month was learning more about hydration and seeing the effect. If you’re stuck on how to improve your skin barrier, then one way is by introducing hydrating products.
Let me know if you would like a blog post on that in the comments.
PS– The skin barrier is what makes up the outermost layer of the skin. It acts as a protective shield from irritation and environmental stressors that make us prone to dehydration, inflammation, etc. Basically, a good skin barrier equals healthy-looking skin.
Watched
Would you believe me if I told you I only watched movies last month one or two times? It’s crazy because movies are my treasured passe-temps. I didn’t know I could focus so much on writing that I would forget to see a movie. Considering I have to pick, it would be the Man from Toronto. It was a really good watch and just hilarious.
My favorite podcast episode last month was Growing in Gratitude by Let’s Talk TGC. These women talk about real issues and tough questions as Christian women. I loved that this episode explored why we struggle with gratitude and how to walk in it consciously.
Looking back, July was not bad at all. I don’t want to use only the good moments as a yardstick, but I believe it’s one way to go through the moments and just take stock of the good things around.
Please share your favorite thing from the last month with me in the comments.
For more context, this is the third time in a row I’m celebrating my birthday at home thanks to continuous strike actions. The last “normal” year was 2019. I thought two years in a row was frustrating until it was obvious I was going to spend this one the same way.
One week to the day, I was anxious and still didn’t have anything planned except to eat cake-my favourite dessert. Safe to say, the day was so much better than I imagined- that thing about God knowing what we need before we say a word.
Spending the day with my family showed me some of the things to be thankful for. The calls, gifts and messages showed me the gift of people. One of my love languages is words of affirmation and it was in abundance on that day.
This past year has been quite a journey and while that may sound cliché, I really mean it.
I went from dreading Tiktok to creating beauty content consistently.
I went from being “shy” about expressing love to openly loving my partner.
I went from doubts and fears about when I’ll graduate and finally be a doctor, to knowing that God gives beauty for ashes. Plus life is so much more than my occupation.
I went from dreaming about creating wallpapers and books to actually doing a monthly collection for my newsletter fam and creating my first e-book on skincare.
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Sign-up to the newsletter for monthly wallpapers and updates.
I went from barely knowing how to draw my brows, to doing my birthday makeup.
I went from being scared of pitching to doing so shamelessly and not feeling rejected when I get a no.
I’m excited about this new chapter because of all that there is to learn and do.
I’ve been thinking about sharing a monthly favorites post because I haven’t shared anything personal on the blog in a while. It wasn’t intentional as I’ve been sharing my skincare love mostly, plus life has been happening in ways I didn’t imagine.
First is the current ASUU strike. If you’re not Nigerian, you may be wondering what that means. It just means that students in Federal universities haven’t been attending school because our lecturers are being owed their salaries. For me, that means extra time in school and plans stuck in limbo. Secondly, I’ve been sharing more personal stuff with the newsletter fam so join up if you haven’t. I promise it’s worth it!
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Now you’re caught up let me share some of my monthly favorites from June. I look forward to sharing more monthly favorites. Perhaps it could spur you to take note of the seemingly mundane things that bring you joy despite a current situation. Here are 5 of June’s Favourites for me;
Celebrations
June is my second favorite month of the year (after my birth month of course). I had a lot of celebrations this month. From my friends’ birthdays to father’s day, my partner’s birthday, and my parents’ wedding anniversary. It felt great to be part of those special days and I look forward to more, God willing.
Faith
Every Woman A Theologian by Phylicia Masonheimer is a great resource for women (and men) on the Christian faith and in her newsletter for the last week of June, she shared a 31-day prayer challenge for July from Judie Berndt where we will be encouraged to pray Scripture. I hope to go through the whole month so join me too.
Skincare haul
I restocked on some skincare products I had been saving for and shared a mini unboxing on TikTok. The best thing I’m enjoying so far is the Beauty of Joseon essence water and I’m loving my skin’s reaction to it. Make sure to stick around for my honest review of all the products. If you’re subscribed, you’ll get it straight to your inbox too.
New Skincare “babies” featuring Tiam Cleanser, CosRx Acne Patch, Tretinoin gel, Face facts facial cream, Face facts hyaluronic serum, Simple replenishing moisturiser and Beauty of Joseon Essence water.
I’m a big movie person so June was no different. 2 particular ones stood out for me- Hustle and Gangubai Kathiawadi. Hustle was very motivational and it just reminded me that little actions are what add up to the spotlight everyone sees. Plus it was super hilarious! I love Bollywood (yes, all that running, singing mushy love songs, and being goofy make my eyes roll but I will still watch, lol). Gangubai was so emotional and showed me that life isn’t black and white sometimes, and everyone has a story. It’s worth watching!
2 movies I enjoyed seeing in June.
Listened
I believe that by now, you know I love podcasts so here are some of the ones I enjoyed last month:
Thirty minutes with the Perrys– Dealing with Anger
The Blogging millionaire– Email list growth hacks which I recommend to anyone who has a newsletter.
Gospel in Life by Timothy Keller: Are you the one?
3 podcast episodes I enjoyed listening to in June.
I won’t lie to you that June was all smiles and roses, but looking back at some of the mundane moments I‘m thankful for June nonetheless. Was June fine generally for you or could it have been better?
Granted, I really looked forward to the end of the year because I want this phase to be done with. Still, it doesn’t change the fact that I barely went through the craziness of 2020 before catching my breath in 2021, and now 2022 is lurking around.
Speaking of phases, my current phase is being a student and the constant wrestling with managing it all. I think I understand why people write about their current situations. It’s literally what you’re experiencing and it eases the burden.
This morning, it struck me how I’ll be having fewer holidays, thanks to being almost done with the final year of school. As much as that sucks, I’m reminded that I have to make time for what matters.
All that to say, I want to take you through some of the highlights of my 2021. Hopefully, it makes you smile and inspires you to look back at yours too!
In January, I visited some family friends in my hometown, enjoyed my mum’s reaction to her birthday gift from @luxeandpearl. My skin was popping too. That may appear trivial, but coming from where I started, that was a huge win! I also got my first social media management client from a referral and it was an interesting experience.
Being home and enjoying street photography were my highlights of February. I remember bugging my siblings to take pictures and videos for my content while getting confused stares from people on the road. It was always hilarious.
In March, my baby was launched! By baby, I mean the blog. It has been a gift and I’m glad I get to share my life with you via this channel. I finally went paintballing with my friends and you can read more about that experience here.
It was also in March that I started battling with miliaria. Think of it as glorified heat rashes that look like acne. This was after enjoying the period of glowing skin. It messed with my mind and I felt so discouraged. That didn’t dampen my joy for too long anyway, as I went on to perfect my DIY body butter and lip balm skills. They’re the little joys.
Paintballing with the winning team.Some of my friends after an exam.Girls date with my sisters.
April went in a blur. My face got worse and I was thankful that I had to be home more because having to explain why my face looked like that was a chore. I quit my social media management job due to school, and finally got extra ear piercings.
In May, I presented my undergraduate public health research on an international scale. That was a dream come true, even though I was bummed that the physical event couldn’t hold due to COVID-19. It was also in this month that I dyed my hair temporarily (check how here).
My DIY body butter and lip balm.
The final year started in June and I broke the heart of someone so dear to me. It was a hard month because I had to face some deep-seated issues I had with communication, and being more accountable.
Then came July- my birth month. I also got to try press-on nails for the first time. Shop here for a discount. Another first was having the honor of being the bridesmaid for my friends. It was also my first Yoruba wedding and that experience was beautiful. My atm cards were stolen and I lost some money. Somehow, God provided more than I could have asked for.
Bridesmaid duty!
August had me disorganized with the first hostel movement I experienced and the hassle of doing almost everything by ourselves. Glad my roomie and I survived that phase. It was also the month I got a renewed relationship with bae! By the end of the month, I lost my sweet grandpa and grappled with grief.
In September, My sisters and I finally ticked “sisters’ date” off our list after getting the best news about school admission. I look back at God’s faithfulness and it blows my mind. I also got to speak about conducting interviews as an orator with Pivot Africa.
Bae!
My final year class hosts a series of events to mark our last year in college and we started with a beach outing in October. It was an amazing experience and I shared that here. I also tried contact lenses for the first time and while I suck at putting them on, I absolutely loved them! Surgery posting seemed to get worse this month and I was barely pulling my weight.
In November, I sent my first brand pitch after reading tons of articles and I got a “Yes”! It was such a sweet moment. Then school started rationing power supply and juggling creating content and the workload of the school became a nightmare. There were nights this month where I was mentally and emotionally exhausted.
R&R luxury skincare brand.
Usually, December is my second favorite month (duh! July is number 1). This year was different as looking forward to Christmas was preparing to face exams. I took fewer pictures and videos, and every day was filled with the ever-growing pile of notes and stuff to read. The last week of December would be my highlight because I got to spend time with family, eat, and sleep better.
This is the first year that I’m in December and I don’t have any goals written out by the 31st of December. The best part is the Iruoma of before would have been panicking as if my life depended on what I wrote more than it did on God’s grace. All I want this year is to continue growing and being mindful of it. Sometimes, I forget that growth isn’t only in the big things people see, but also in those areas that you know needed some work.
You don’t know how much you’ve grown till you look back. Look back and reflect.
Happy new year in advance, guys! Do you have any highlights from 2021? Please share them with me!
