Dear Gladiators of the Blogosphere,
It’s been a while, hasn’t it? If you’re wondering whether I’ve been off on yet another extended sabbatical, you’re absolutely right. As a reluctant blogger, my vanishing act seems to be an annual tradition, much like the latest Netflix hit series that has you glued to your screens. Is anything good on Netflix these days by the way? Let me know in the comment section.
You see, in the grand scheme of my life, writing has always been the wild card, the unexpected twist, the uncharted territory. It’s a bit like one of those Grey’s Anatomy medical cases that you just can’t predict. Each time I step into the blogging world, I’m Meredith Grey entering the operating room – a mix of excitement and trepidation, not sure if I’ll emerge unscathed.
So, what exactly keeps pulling me back into this whirlwind of pixels, paragraphs, and hashtags? The answer, my dear readers, lies in the tales of hilarity and adventure that await you in the following paragraphs.
The Great Hashtag Hunt (January)
Remember that episode where Olivia Pope had to find the perfect words to quell a scandal? Well, my friends, I’ve embarked on my own epic quest – The Great Hashtag Hunt. It was a daring mission to uncover the hashtags that would catapult my posts to viral stardom. Spoiler alert: I found some real gems, however, I ended up sticking to #ShushiShades. I have a gut feeling about it, so next time you have a pair of sunglasses I designed, SHARE some memories with me by using the hashtag. The year started out pretty well, I had a plan but didn’t force myself to stick to it 100%, the market is so turbulent and flexibility was key to starting the year well. I had several team meetings and it finally began to feel like I had a grip on things with my business and personal life. By the end of the month, my team and I shot an ad for vision-d-optical, the blue light protective glasses I designed during the pandemic. Due to high demand, I also made them available as empty frames. I needed to design glasses that were a strong reflection of our current times, I needed to be realistic, no one was buying sunglasses during a shopping spree post the pandemic. Hence the product line extension last year, a capsule collection. I had a lot of fun putting this out last year and was looking forward to crafting and implementing my vision for the year.
The Selfie Saga (February)
In the spirit of Meredith Grey’s ever-complicated love life, my relationship with selfies has its share of drama. From perfecting the art of the selfie stick to mastering the “candid-but-not-really” pose, I’ve been on a rollercoaster of self-discovery that rivals any Grey’s Anatomy love triangle. The love of my life was also born in February. We’re both strong-willed, filled with so much love for each other and the world, even though we have very different approaches to work and how we build relationships with others when we click we click. While I’m one to seek admiration and attention, my boyfriend definitely values his independence and intellectual pursuits. While I am not one to read and believe heavily on zodiac signs, his Aquarius nature, and my cusp sign; Leo/Virgo say we’re quite different. However, it’s important to remember that astrology is a simplification of complex personalities. People are unique, and individual compatibility is influenced by many factors beyond just sun signs. Open communication, mutual respect, shared values, and a willingness to understand and accommodate each other’s differences are key to any successful relationship. My partner and I have a deep connection and are both willing to keep working on our relationship. I pray our relationship will prove that when two souls connect on a deep and meaningful level, they can defy the odds and create a love that is nothing short of magical. He takes some of the best photos of me (selfies only), but we’re still working on it. Speaking of Saga February – March was a tense month for Nigerians everywhere.
The Comment Section Chronicles (March)
Just like the gripping political intrigue in Scandal, the comment section on Twitter always goes wild when a new president is just about to be elected, it comes with its fair share of high-stakes drama. Trolls, admirers, and the occasional unsolicited advice-giver made their precedes known in the Twitter-sphere (now X). Frankly, I’m so glad I use my social media to just inform the public about my work. Every now and then I do get excited about sharing some special personal memories too, but I really trying to be more intentional about what I share on social media, even in the comments section. I’m so mindful of my digital footprint and it’s no surprise most people can’t find me on Instagram. They probably forget what my Instagram handle starts with, it’s @s001801 by the way. I still refuse to make my handle my full name, and there’s a deeper reason and meaning to it all, but only through Oprah shall I reveal, someday, by God’s grace. I worked so hard this month on my brand, SHUSHI and summer was a few months away. Marching to greatness was my mantra in March.
The Blogging Time Machine (April)
Ever wish you could time-travel like the characters in Rhimes’ mind-bending series, “Timeless”? Well, in a way, I’ve been doing just that. While I desire for each blog post to be a time capsule, capturing moments, emotions, and trends from the past, you’ll have to accept my one blog post summary every now and then. And writing this does make for some side-splitting nostalgia! In April, I made a deliberate effort to connect and spend more time with my family, which I did. This was the month I also decided to really focus on putting certain structures in place across all organizations I work with. For example, with my part-time job at school, it was important for me to lead a team of young people about to graduate. So I started a free course for senior secondary students called “A STEP” short for Aisha Sambo’s Teen Entrepreneurship Program. It began dawning on me how time really flies. I missed my friends a lot this month and it almost spiraled me down the hill with creative writer’s block. I was stuck on my next moves in life because truth be told, a lot of those plans included my long-time friends and work colleagues. It felt like a back to the drawing board situation, and in all honestly I plunged, I wrote for Africa but had no willpower or desire to share. I felt trapped in a time continuum in space, it felt like nothingness yet a libration of hope that I am meant for greatness and it already lives inside me kept me pushing past my limit. This month was a time for reflection and spending quality time with my family, in between it was evident that throughout my teenage and young adult life, I had really made most, if not all of my close friends feel like family. Remember children, 40 children don’t play for 40 years. This was my reality, a deep truth I had to accept for myself.
May Day – May Day (May)
My mental health is plummeting, and it shouldn’t be because Ramadan was only a month ago, and this time of the year is usually when I feel at peace the most. I began this journey towards improving my Mental Health in 2020 and I feel confident to try again. In the fast-paced world, we live in, where stress and anxiety often loom large, Ramadan emerges as a precious gift for me and I hope to our Muslim community. Beyond its spiritual significance, this holy month carries invaluable lessons that can significantly impact our mental health. Here are the top 4 ways I explore how, with the wisdom of the prophets as my guide, fasting can improve our mental health.
Self-Control and Inner Peace: Fasting from dawn till sunset teaches me self-discipline. As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “When one of you is fasting, he should neither indulge in obscene language nor should he raise his voice in anger.” This profound advice encourages us to maintain composure, control our emotions, and find inner peace even in challenging situations.
Gratitude and Positivity: Gratitude is a powerful force for mental well-being. During Ramadan, as we abstain from food and drink, we become more aware of our blessings. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of gratitude, stating, “He who does not thank people, does not thank Allah.” By expressing gratitude for what we have, we can cultivate a positive mindset and improve our mental health.
Reflection and Mindfulness: The Quran emphasizes the importance of reflection and self-awareness. As Allah says, “Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, are signs for those of understanding.” Ramadan encourages us to engage in deep self-reflection and mindfulness, helping us better understand ourselves and our purpose in life.
Patience and Resilience: The practice of fasting instills patience and resilience. It reminds us that difficulties are temporary and can be overcome. As Allah says, “Indeed, with hardship comes ease.” This mindset of patience and resilience equips us to better cope with life’s challenges, reducing stress and anxiety.
In conclusion, Ramadan is not just a month of physical fasting but a holistic journey towards self-improvement. It offers a unique opportunity to enhance our mental health by drawing on the teachings of popular Muslim leaders and prophets. As we strive for self-control, gratitude, empathy, reflection, and patience, we not only strengthen our faith but also experience a positive transformation within ourselves. Ramadan is indeed a powerful reminder that nurturing our mental health is an essential part of our spiritual journey.
Truth be told, I struggle with most of these, self-control the most especially when it comes to the people and things I love but today I whole-heartedly seek the forgiveness of Allah and others if I have ever wronged you I am so sorry. I know you see I’m trying God, and for every time I have promised you change and failed to change I can only continue to hope that you grant me strength to commit to the best things for me in life. Allow my heart to gravitate towards that which is good for me and my family always, and I will never stop begging, praising, and worshiping you God. I pray that I am always guided by your words, may I never tire of asking for forgiveness. If I ever grow reluctant for your guidance and wisdom, I pray you rail me back in over and over again. Ameen.
