"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 have gotten a drift of what has happened in the past few months since I last wrote to you.

I started a podcast. I went to suffer a little for Nigeria as the patriotic citizen that I am.

So, a few friends have asked how I feel about turning 22. It feels odd that I'm not as excited about my birthday as I used to be. It's crazy, it is! In 2020, I made time for a professional photo shoot, got a cake, and even had an in-house party with friends. 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, I spent it again with my family and best friends.

Well, 21 taught me a lot. Life is fickle. People will come into your life and leave just as they arrived. Some help you go through a phase, and some don't. I managed to balance my personal life, career, and family without causing any of them to 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'm writing this a few seconds before I turn 22, and try as much as I can to be as excited as I was about my birthday two years ago, but I just 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 that my priorities have changed, and what would have made me go crazy with excitement two years ago no longer moves me?

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, my dreams, and my 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 that if you are thinking of gifting me something, you can start here. I made a wishlist. Don't judge No. 2. Abeg. You can also tell me nice things via email.

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 'awwws and thank you, and work, plus plenty of money you will send me. Thanks!

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