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?
Guys, time flies for real! How is it one year already?
It’s already been a year since this little blog of mine came into being, and I can’t tell you how happy I am to be celebrating a blog-versary!.
On March 5th, 2021, I shared with my Instagram and WhatsApp community that, I had just launched adashofiruoma into the world with my first post.
As scary as it was to share this side of me with more people and online at that, it has been nothing short of interesting. I remember going through the options for a name in Dec 2020 and feeling so clueless despite knowing I wanted to share something with more people. It just feels good to watch this grow.
Although this has been the busiest year of my medical school life, I’m glad that I can keep showing up and some of you have been the best cheerleaders!
It’s been one heck of a year meeting new people, mostly online, evolving in terms of growth, and getting encouraging comments and responses to my newsletter. Do subscribe for blog updates and free monthly resources.
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Thank you for reading and sharing my posts. I look forward to more years of blogging by God’s grace and I hope you stick with me.
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!
This post starts with thriving because that’s all I hope for in this phase of my life. To be fair, this final year of med school is one of a kind.
Lately, I prefer to just write in my journal and my note app when the ideas come to mind. Still, I would be lying if I said it’s been easy. Nonetheless, this post is not to be sad, but to give you an update on the past month.
School and Life
I’m currently in my second posting. That means I’m in the 2nd rotation of the 4 rotations that make up my final year. Precisely surgery posting. The resident strike is finally over and the patients arrived like a river with no dam.
In other words, I’ve been an overworked student. Asides from the fact that sleep never feels enough lately, I’m generally exhausted. In the midst of this madness, doing my devotion and exercising have been hard. Especially the latter. I recently heard that you make time for what matters to you. That has been a reminder to encourage myself when I go days giving the excuse to not seek God’s face.
Next up, I finished Stop Calling Me Beautiful by Phylicia Masonheimer. It was part of what brought me joy. Currently, I’m reading Not Yet Married by Marshall Segal, and What’s Best Next by Matt Perman.
Memories
As much as the stress was “choking”, I got some good moments in October. Moments where I took a breather and just had fun.
On October, 16th, my classmates and I took a break from the “rollercoaster” and had our first final year class event at Kodo beach house, Lagos. It was an experience to remember and definitely one of the beach houses you should visit in Lagos.
Caught in the act!
A cutey.
Me and some of my girls!
Kodo beach house swimming pool.
Photo credit for the pictures above- Tomi Salau! Check him out here.
Photo credit- my bae!
On October 29th, I attended my final departmental dinner. It felt surreal! I took a mental note of all the past dinners and how far my colleagues and I had come.
The month ended with a stressful posting (Neurosurgery), but I got a highlight- scrubbing in for the first time! Trust me to have a picture. More pictures will be on my Instagram and Pinterest (follow to be updated).
First time assisting a surgery.
AMSUL dinner
October came with random messages of encouragement, opportunities, and love some of you share with me. It’s part of what keeps a baby girl moving.
That’s it for now. My current season is school, and I hope to thrive.
What season are you currently in, and how has it been? Let me know in the comments!
The first time I heard about henna was as a child. I grew up watching a lot of Bollywood, thanks to my aunty. It is an integral part of my first memories of entertainment, long before Silverbird cartoons.
It was always applied during their weddings and I found them intriguing. Fast forward to over 12 years, and in the spirit of trying new things as a young adult, I decided to get one done. The perfect opportunity came when I had an event with my classmates at a beach house.
Henna history time
Henna also called mehndi in Hindi and Urdu, has been used in Pakistan, India, Africa, and the Middle East for over 5000 years. According to this article, it was originally used for its natural cooling properties for people living in hot desert climates.
Cultures are beautiful. I found out that the Henna paste symbolizes good health and prosperity in marriage. It is also important to know that henna designs are not tattoos, as the paste is a temporary dye that sits on the skin’s surface.
The designs generally last from 1-4 weeks on the skin surface depending on the henna, care, and skin type.
Mine was on my upper back and lasted roughly 2 weeks.
Areas that stain the darkest are the palms, soles of the feet, and the knuckles. Those on the hands tend to fade faster because of continued washing. I read here the forearms and lower legs and ankles last the longest and go up to 4 weeks, but I would estimate how long when I get another! Funny enough, henna on the hair is permanent. It will fade, but it’s hard to remove.
My experience
I have read that people react to the henna paste. I was a bit anxious about it and Henna by Hafsah was gracious to calm my fears. I also loved how she showed me designs and made sure I was comfortable while she worked. I didn’t have any reactions and that was a relief.
It took about 35 minutes to design and almost an hour to dry. Apparently, you have to wash it off to get the excess paste out and then the beautiful design emerges clearer. I found that fascinating.
One thing I’m learning to do is to not shut my mind off to new experiences that do no harm. This one is one of them and I can’t wait to try another design.
Have you ever had a henna design? Would you like to get one or not? Let me know below.
It was a morning like every other except that I was free from school activities for the day, and already mapped all the extracurricular activities for the day and books to read. That was when I noticed the missed calls from my sister. Chizzy says I’m the worst person to call because I almost always never pick up. Just as I was about to return the calls and apologize for the thousandth time about my habit, I saw her message.
Grandaddy is dead.
For context, I had gone home for the weekend. My grandparents had come to visit for grandpa’s eye check-up. I was glad to spend the time with them and listen to my grandma’s stories. This time was different though. My grandpa was a shadow of his bubbly self.
He was still active but had suddenly lost his vision due to hypertension. He also wasn’t as strong as the last time I saw him which was Christmas. That makes sense because he was old. It didn’t make it easier to swallow nonetheless. My mum had told me his condition was deteriorating, but I didn’t know it was that bad till I saw him. I’m glad I got to call him intermittently prior to that time before he came visiting.
Death is such a rude visitor. It takes as it comes, and gives the weird parting gift of grief.
Death is the rude interruption that jolts us back to reality, no matter how often or familiar it gets.
I miss my granddaddy. I wanted to hug him as his young doctor, but I guess that will happen in heaven. when he’s whole because Jesus will fulfill the promise of restoration and I’ll run into his strong embrace.
I’m not sharing this for pity or sorry.
I’m sharing this because stories immortalize our memories. They give us a chance to relive the moments and go back in time. That’s what I want to do for Eze Ndi Igbo Nwosu– the best grandpa there ever was.
The beginning
I got to know my grandpa better in bits and pieces as I grew older. Anytime he would come to Lagos with his lol (Igbo title for queen). I loved how he would speak Igbo and English so fluently and he shattered the stereotypes of old people I had in my silly teenage head. One day during his visits, my mum told me to go talk with him. She always encouraged me to write and thought I needed to hear his adventures.
She was right! My grandpa had a lot to share. I wish she told me this earlier. Nonetheless, I’m grateful I finally did and had a documentary video done by my friend as a memoir now.
One thing that always stands out for me with my grandpa was his genuine care for everyone. He wouldn’t want to bother anybody, I never saw him raise his voice too. His diction was so superb and I always popped my head to the corner in awe. The way he mixed his Igbo and English was my highlight.
He also told me how he got his twisted left forearm. It was during the Nigerian civil war. My brave grandpa. Was it the strong nepotism he faced in the navy and how he managed to get a scholarship as the only successful candidate for International Water Development (IWD) in 1964? He was a shining star. I’m grateful for those occasions that made him visit.
The Memories
My grandpa laughed so heartily even at his old age. I can imagine how he laguther when he was younger. He had a bike he would ride in his 20s and everyone in the neighborhood in Lagos knew him with Suzuki. He rode on it, the chance he got to tell my grandpa he was alive when the civil war broke out.
My grandpa shot his gun every new year. I loved the sound because he always made it ceremonial. With his wrapper firmely tied and his custom mkpisi osisi (walking stick in Igbo) he would wear his black leather slippers and walk majestically to the compound and fire the shots with us shouting, “Happy new year!”
Now I look back at those routines with renewed perspective.
Last year, we celebrated his birthday. Some of his grandkids and kids surrounded him. I still look at that video and smile. His bald upper head was full of wisdom and he always took his time to speak. He had lost his hearing partially due to the war and it progressed as time went by. Yet, he would listen intently and speak back beautifully. I hope to be that astute at his age God willing.
His Life
My grandpa loved Jesus. I never got the chance to discuss his convictionbs but it was beautiful to hear that from my grandma.
He loved in how he cared. I remember one day I was preparinb to go back to chool and he reached for his wallet and gave me a crisp bundle of 200 naira notes. I always loved when he did that. His way of showing he cared was personal. He was no selfish man. He would pray for me and hug me tight. I had a chance to hug him tight 4 days before he died. I wish I knew that was the last time I was gonna hug him on earth. I probably would have held on a minute extra.
He said, “ọ iruoma? ( is that Iruoma? in Igbo) Okay bye-bye”. I treasure that moment so much Eze Ndi Igbo 1 of Birni Kebbi. Your doctor would make you so proud I promise!
When it comes to picking my inspiration for lifestyle blogging, I don’t look too far. If you are a fellow lifestyle content creator or content lover, you probably have heard some of these names. Nothing makes me more inspired than knowing some people have done what I’m currently doing and impacted others.
Plus we should give people their flowers while they’re alive. that’s the motivation behind this post and I hope as you read through, you’re inspired to be you!
Here’s a list of my top lifestyle bloggers in no particular order.
(Ps- I do not own the rights to the pictures (except mine)
Cassie Daves is a medical doctor turned content strategist. It’s funny how I never knew her all through her stay in medical school which coincidentally is the same medical school I’m in. Her blog was one of the first resources I went to when this baby was still a thought. I love the outline of her blog, which she has been running for over 8 years.
One thing about Cassie is her adventurous life. I like the fact that she shares about her travels and how she’s learning to move past her comfort zone. She also gives reviews of places in Lagos and has a blogging journal for young and veteran bloggers. Cassie piqued my love for skincare. Like her, I suck at makeup so sticking to a good skincare routine is our best bet.
The way she wears her faith as a Christian and is unashamed of sharing that aspect of her life on the internet streets make me gush. I stan an ever-growing, risk-taking content creator and blogger.
Another Doctor! Trust me, this is coincidental. Dr. ETP, otherwise known as chop life minister is another favorite blogger of mine.
What I love about her is her consistency. She was one of the bloggers that made me realize I didn’t need to write a 10,000-word blog post before it was worthy of being shared. To blog is to share and that’s what she does within the boundaries of sharing.
She also shares faith-based content, modest fashion tips, and chronicles her chop life stories. I have the privilege of knowing her and she is a true sweetheart. Her writing show just a glimpse, lol.
When you google “how to make a scented candle” or “how to make body butter”, Torera is one of the names you’ll see on Youtube. She is a “beast” when it comes to healthy and safe DIYs.
Torera is the reason I make jars of body butter for my family. That’s one skill I’m so proud of. I even learned how to make lip balm from her and my sisters can tell you the pleasant result.
Torera shares stories of growth and challenges people to think outside the norm, both on her blog and insta. She shares her Christian worldview and shows that hard work is all you need. One thing that struck it for me with T was her Ig stories last year. She challenged her IG followers to not be afraid to dream big. She is simply herself and it shows.
A dear friend told me I give her IK’s vibes and that was a huge compliment, lol. Ijeoma Kola is another lifestyle blogger I resonate so much with. The fact that she’s in my niche and somehow grapples into every other niche with so much class is goals. She used to be a natural hair blogger and then delved into pretty much everything.
She shares her life as a momma, her Ph.D. struggles, fashion and hair tips, decor ideas and she is super consistent. Imagine moving between countries, starting your job as a professor, being a wife and mummy, and still consistently putting up content for brands and yourself. Currently, she has a social media manager and I watched her work ethic with her brand before then. Truly inspiring
I also love how she combines her 10 years of blogging and content creation and shares tips for younger bloggers.
Brighton Keller has to be my top fashion and lifestyle blogger and influencer. I can relate to her struggle of showing up and being anxious, but showing up nonetheless.
She is super real and I can tell she’ll be fun to hang out with from her hilarious reel videos where she dances like a kid. Her eye for details is just superb. Even down to her designs on Pinterest and how she pairs outfits. her blog is also another crisp clean corner of the internet and you can’t but love her work. BTD, as she’s known, also shares her faith and inspiration in such relatable ways.
The founder of Every Woman A Theologian, Phylicia is one of the people God has used to shape my perspective as a young Christian woman. When we talk about productivity junkies, Phy makes the list. She’s not productive in some proud manner, but in a you-can-enjoy-rest-by-being-productive kinda way.
Phy answers tough questions from feminism, to the biblical canon, to fighting temptations, to tithing. Her podcast Verity is on the list of my faves. She teaches under the leadership and her Ig page and blog are a breath of fresh air in a world where understanding theology is isolated from it translating to a holistic life.
I found Charaia (Shuh-Ray-Uh) on Ig a couple of months ago. Her Twitter posts and nicely curated IG feed caught my attention. But what held it was her content. She recently launched her blog and her main goal is to encourage “Conversations of race, healing, the Church and, most importantly, the fight to remain soft.”
I love how she curates the funniest TikToks and calls them, Made Ya laugh Monday. She inspires me to remember to share my story with those who care and not just everyone.
Amanda is my young friend and junior colleague in med school. That doesn’t stop her from being an inspiration to blogging! She started her blog some months before mine and frankly it was one of the pushes I needed.
From her detailed honest product reviews (as she is a skincare enthusiast as well), to her style of photography, she’s a delight to watch!
She also shares lifestyle and productivity hacks and her blog is a beautifully designed one. I cannot wait to see more of her growth.
I met Moya, virtually, via Amanda. Let us take a moment to thank God for the beauty that social media can be. Moya is a boss when it comes to blogging. Some of the tips I know about Pinterest are from Moya. She is also so skilled with photography that it blows my mind.
One thing I love about Moya is how she shares her stories as if they were a face-to-face conversation. She does that too on her IG stories. Moya inspires me with her work ethic. She just launched her website company where she designed templates for website owners, bloggers, and creators called Collipy.
My South African beauty! I met Nqobile during a Table and Tidezoom call – a virtual weekly non-denominational bible study group for youths all over the world.
On the day of the meeting, it was her turn to share. I was so moved by her words and how she recalled God’s faithfulness in her life. Soon after, we connected on IG.
I later found out about her blog and of course have been enjoying her Ig content on fashion. Nqobile is very honest about her journey as a fashion content creator and shares her wins, losses, and faith. Her videos are so hilarious sometimes I wonder what goes on in her head, lol.
This lady’s consistency streak needs to be studied! I know that this practice takes a while, but I love when women keep pushing boundaries. Mattie James easily comes to mind when I think of taking my blog and brand seriously. She started the #consistency2020 challenge and that was a wake-up call for me.
I love her sense of fashion, baby pictures, and blog outline.
Living in Lagos can be stressful. Sometimes, you just want to relax and be taken care of. That’s when an affordable restaurant comes in.
Once in a while, be adventurous with your taste buds! A fantasy of mine has been to try Indian food so imagine my joy finding an affordable restaurant close to school with an Indian menu (and Chinese menu too)!
I went there with bae for a Sunday lunch and it was totally worth it. If you’re looking for a place for a simple date and a change of flavors, keep reading my review of Gypsy’s restaurant.
First Impression
Firstly, it was hidden on the street. It’s almost impossible to believe such a cute place exists there. By the time we got there, it seemed like we were transported to another place. Gypsy’s restaurant is located at 34a Gbolade Adebanjo St, Ilupeju, LagosThe interior was so cozy (thanks to the lighting). There’s an outdoor space and a place to park for up to 4 cars. They had a spot upstairs that was reserved so we couldn’t go there, but the manager encouraged us to see it some other time. They’re so receptive and their service was prompt. They were willing to answer questions.
The interior of Gypy’s Restaurant from Cassie Daves.
Food
The main thing for me. You can check their IG page or call the numbers there to reserve or just make inquiries about their menu. While we were waiting for our meal, we ordered Chapman (#1500). It was okay. The lemon wasn’t my favourite thing, but otherwise it was fine.
First up were the dumplings. We had the vegetarian (#550 per piece) and pork (#650 per piece) ones. The former tasted like spring rolls but with a thinner covering. I liked that it was warm so it tasted just right.
The pork dumplings were mini treats. They also served us some sauces. They were all tasty, but my least favorite spread was the chili sauce. It was too spicy for me.
Chapman
Next up were the sesame pockets (#4000 for half platter) and non-veg filling. This is from the Chinese menu. Think of warm flat bread and filling it with flavoured meat. It was so good.
By this time, I thought I couldn’t take more. Lest I forget, Gypy’s restauarnt is super generous with their servings. So much so that bae and I shared our portions. They were also sufficient for some takeaway.
Our final meal was the buttered naan (#700 a piece) and buttered chicken (#4800). The manager told us to eat it with our hands. Imagine a buttered flavored flat warm bread and chicken coated in a buttery sauce. I had read a review about the garlic naan so I didn’t want to risk it. This one was too good!
[bctt tweet=”If you’re looking for affordbale restaurants in Lagos to try out, then Gypsy’s restaurant and bar should be on your list. Read my review to see for yourself. “]
Pros
Sesame pockets and chicken filling
Buttered naan and chicken
The cozy setting is a nice picture spot. Their menu has a wide variety for those who want to be adventurous. It is also budget-friendly.
Author after a good meal!
Cons
I can’t think of any because I had read some reviews of what meals to try.
Conclusion
Gypsy’s restaurant is a great place for a Sunday brunch or an outing with friends (or family). It’s budget-friendly and a good way to explore flavors. I would definitely visit again.
Have you been here before? Let me know in the comments.
For me, medical school has been like an irregular heartbeat lately. The doctors are on strike and we really aren’t seeing many patients. This means my clinical learning is stunted for now. On one hand, it’s time to catch up with my never-ending lectures, on the other, it’s an opportunity to rest.
Adulting doesn’t even make it easier. All I want to do is sleep like a baby with no worries, but alas, I dream too much! This brings me to today’s post.
Instead of focusing on the things that don’t seem to be moving, here’s my way of focusing on the little miracles.
I have been wanting to write a post like this for the longest time. It’s a simple collection of “random”, and “not-so-random” things that are sparking joy. To be honest, growing up can get in the way of being child-like and enjoying simple things, gifts or gestures. Take this as a reminder to enjoy the mundane things.
Virtual window shopping
I can’t be the only one who enjoys virtual window shopping and saving endless items to buy even when my account is laughing at me. Lol! The Pinterest and Instagram save features make this easier because I can daydream.
Did you say, “add to cart?”
Busola’s banana bread
@Beesweetng’s banana bread was the snack I didn’t know I needed. I had tried her minis but never this flavor. The moment my fork ran through it, it was love at first bite!
Slices of my red velvet banana bread and a cup of tea.
CosRx Acne Patch
This pimple patch has been mindblowing. The review will be up soon and I can’t wait to share it with you.
Stop Calling Me Beautiful
SCMB is my current read and it’s written by Phylicia Masonheimer. The themes explored in this book, from shame to legalism to honoring our relationships, have been phenomenal. I would give my thoughts and experience once I am done. If you can’t wait to read so yourself, my mail list has access to my bookshelf so join up.
My Resources Page
I learned this hack from Pro blogger. The tool kit page is a source for all the resources I recommend at a glance. It sparks joy for me because it makes it easy for my readers to have access to information with less stress.
Pinterest
Pinterest is a mine! Lifestyle blogging opened my eyes to the beauty that it is. I love the pretty and creative boards, inspiration, and hacks. Check my boards and give a follow to be updated when I add new pins.
Working out with my friend
I have rekindled my love for workouts because my FUPA isn’t budging. Beyond that, it’s also a good habit. Having a workout buddy has been so helpful and makes me look forward to the routines. My other friend (and roomie) joins us to take post work out videos even though all she does is cheer us instead of joining. It cracks me up every time!
King Of Boys- The Return Of The King
This made the list because all these happened in August, and I have been looking forward to the remake. I’m just 4 episodes in and mindblown! Go see it if you haven’t because I can’t and won’t give spoilers!
That is it for now friends! Take a moment to recount the things you’re currently loving. It doesn’t have to be “deep”. The point is to relive the memories and actually enjoy those things we take for granted.
Tell me something that has been sparking joy for you in the comments. See you next time!
As I type this, it’s 2 hours to my 24th birthday and the “birthday feeling” was absent. Before this, I would have been shy to admit my age, especially when accomplishments are associated with age. Imagine the unnecessary pressure! Who actually made a big deal of numbers/ age? Okay before I digress, don’t lose me yet.
I’m writing this post for 2 reasons.
The first is I am now more intentional about documenting my journey. I also want to process all the memories and keep them safe with words. The second reason is, writing helps me think about stuff in retrospect. I can think about the emotions I felt at a point and relive them while writing. That’s classic if you ask me. Thank God for it!
Now let’s start with the little miracles and things I’ve learned in the past year because I can be cheesy. Frankly, I thought this year was gonna be different when it comes to school. For context, I’m at home, the second time in a row thanks to COVID. Plus it’s the second time my birthday is falling on the “break”. I would be lying if I said it didn’t suck. Nonetheless, we wouldn’t focus on the annoying things in this post, okay? Good!
This past year, I’ve learned the value of being vulnerable. Asking my friends to take my pictures and videos for content creation without feeling awkward. Crying and laughing openly. Also, explaining what I mean without depending on my regular “I don’t know”. That’s a big win.
I also learned to say “No”. A friend of mine said I say no now with no guilt. It was a big struggle until I learned that “No” can be good, and I didn’t have to explain my reason.
I learned to unashamedly market my skills. By the way, why have you not subscribed to my newsletter? You’re missing out on gems. Sign up here.
Another thing I learned, is to experiment and learn new things. Examples are: my current ear piercings, coloring my hair (with a temporary dye though, lol), taking pictures of everything I think is beautiful, taking up skills, and asking questions no matter how silly I think they are. My self-sufficient-stay-in-your-comfort-zone personality would have cringed, but look at God!
This past year, I learned to hold tensions and see the beauty in them. The tension between hope and grief. Between love and loss. Between joy and heartache. I also learned to be empathetic. To keep dying to self as hard as that is.
I’ve also learned to not share my story with everyone. Just to a few people, we were not meant to bare our souls to every single soul we meet. For our sake and theirs in the long run. I learned to continuously be unashamed about my faith. A Jesus girl I’ll always be.
Okay, this post is getting longer than I planned so I’ll stop here.
I’m super grateful that I get to celebrate another year regardless. Like David in Psalm 42:5, I’ll remind my soul to yet hope in God. Who better to write our story than the One who oversees the world? Sending virtual cakes and hugs your way!
PS- you’re reading this 5 days post-birthday, but who cares? wink
