"So Far. So Good. Koni Bajé, My Darling!'"

If you are reading this (on the date of its publication), it's my birthday! 

Hey, it's been a while!! If you are loyal to the Yard People Community, you should've gotten a drift of what has happened in the past months since I last wrote to you.

I started a podcast. I Went to suffer small for Nigeria as the patriotic citizen that I am.

So a few friends have asked how I feel about turning 22, well, it feels weird that I'm not as excited about my birthday as I used to be. It's crazy, it is! In 2020, I created time to do a professional photo shoot, got a cake, and actually had an in-house party with friends and all. I raised hell and broke shit, literally, because I broke my father's favourite wine glass. Lol.

Fast forward to 2021, I was a fresh graduate, a month into my new job, the money was there and it was good but I didn't go all out for the birthday, spent it again with my family and best friends.

Well, let's say 21 taught me a lot. Life is fickle. People will come into your life and leave the same way they came, some help you go through a phase, and some don't. I dealt with balancing, my personal life, career, and my family without having to make any of them suffer. Was it easy? No. Did I eventually get the hang of it? Absolutely not!

I broke down multiple times in the past year, I could see my mental health blowing off to pieces and I was too weak to put it back together, my health tested me, dealt with denial and grief, almost rage-quit my job on many occasions(Thank God I didn't because the kain Sapa ehn!), but I realized that would not solve the problem.

I also discovered something; I underestimate myself a bit too much and am often a tad ungrateful. And I'm more socially conscious.

I am writing this a few seconds till I'm 22, and try as much as I can to be as excited as I was about my birthday 2 years ago, but I can't. Is it the stark realization that I’m getting older and still in this country with Agbádö manifestos and presidential birthright candidates? 

Or is it the fact that my priorities have changed and what would make me go crazy with excitement two years ago that doesn't even move me now?

21 was great! And I do not regret my mistakes (I do sha, but that won't change anything) 22 will be even better. Cheers to a new dispensation!

This year I'm counting my blessings, not my losses. I am grateful for life, and the beautiful things it brings, grateful for my friends, my family, my job, my passion, dreams, and obsessions. This girl is grateful!!! Thank you, Abba!

Alsoooo, Drum rolls pleaseee…….

This post was written from my first ever apartment, paid for with my own money. Proud Yard Girl Moment, please. Moving away from home was very hard, and I can swear I saw my daddy cry when I told him I wasn't moving back home after my service year. Lol. But he has to accept that his little girl's grown up but if sapa hit me one kain, dem go waybill Garri for me😅😅

All this I've written and you think I won't ask for gifts? Lmao. Paying for this house almost wrecked me, I don't even know how I'm still here. You do not want to know the price of curtains these days. Jeez!

This also means, if you are thinking of gifting me stuff, you can start from here, I made a wishlist. Don't judge No 2. Abeg. You can also tell me nice things via mail.

Finally…..

Happy Birthday, Yard Girl!

This is 22; the year of the Divine! ❤

So far. So good. Koni Baje, My Darling!

P.S; Plans for my birthday include a bottle of red wine, bars of chocolate, Bole & Beans, mixed with a touch of ‘'awwwns & Thank you’’ and work plus the plenty money you will send me. Thainkz!

Listening to Fireboy's 'Playboy' whilst writing this. Diana is my Fav.