 With every new day that we have, there are many opportunities to make the moves towards the future we desire. The events of the past months may have caused us to focus more on now and not allow ourselves to dream or think about the future. Now is a perfect time to start dreaming again.
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months. Check out part 1, part 2, part 3 and part 4 of the transition preparation guide. #1: Do something that makes you happy With things improving around us, it is the perfect time to do something that makes you happy. We all had to take a break from doing a lot of things. However, there are now little things that we can start doing again. Plan to do something small that brings you joy. It could be getting a haircut, eating one of your favorite meals, visiting the farmers market or having a picnic. Remember to be careful and observe the safety measures in place where you live. Strategies to consider
#2: Celebrate your key milestones If you celebrated a birthday, welcomed a new family member, or had a major milestone over the past 4 months, it was definitely a strange time. In order to celebrate milestones in these times, we have had to find new ways to mark them. We could never have imagined that we will be having virtual birthday parties, baby showers or even graduations. We are fortunate that with everything going on, we can still connect with people who care about us. Over the past weeks, I have had some great family time to celebrate milestones via video chat. Strategies to consider
#3: Highlight the good things in your life Focusing on the good things that happen in our lives, gives us an energy boost. It is easy to let the negative experiences take over our mind. We have to be more intentional and choose to focus on the positive experiences. One technique that I use to ensure that I celebrate the good in my life is to share them with someone around me or write them down. This practice helps me ensure that the happy moments in my life don't pass by unnoticed. It is always fun to go back over my list and review my recent highlights. Strategies to consider
Final Thoughts Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned: Recently, I have come to the realization that with everything going on, having a positive attitude is crucial. It is easy to be consumed by all the news and scary things happening around me. Every day when I wake up, I remind myself that I am fortunate to be alive and have what I have. Call to Action When was the last time you laughed deeply? Find things that make you happy.
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 Wishing all the fathers in our lives a Happy Father’s Day. I am incredibly grateful for all the amazing men in my life. Hope you made some time to appreciate the men in your life. Celebrating the amazing people in our lives during times like these makes it even more special.
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months. Check out part 1, part 2 and part 3 of the transition preparation guide. #1: Reflect on what you have learned over the past months There is so much that we can learn from unexpected situations like the one we all experienced over the past months. One thing that we can do is to ensure that we leverage those lessons and apply them to our lives moving forward. One of the ways that I have been capturing the lessons I learned has been at the end of my blog posts. It has given me a catalog that I can reflect on and not forget. Strategies to consider
#2: Help someone who is struggling You might be wondering how helping someone else will help you thrive over the next months. When we help others, it gives us the opportunity to not think about our own situations for a little while. In my experience this helps change our perspective and give us a more positive outlook on our own life experiences. Having a support community where we all help one another has been amazing for me. There is always something small we can do for people around us that will make them happy. Strategies to consider
#3: Plan and take some time off Depending on where you live, summertime might be starting. It is a perfect time to take some time off. Especially if you have been working from home and still cannot travel around, it might be difficult to imagine what you can do with some days off. I have been reminding myself of the benefits of taking some time off to do things that I have been wanting to do. Taking time off will help you recharge, get things done and create space in your mind for some fresh thoughts. Strategies to consider
Final Thoughts Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned: Over the past two weekends, I have connected a lot with my family. With most of us living in different cities around the world, we have not had a chance to spend quality time together for a while. I have learned that there are simple ways for us to stay connected and celebrate the important milestones. Setting up video calls and having great conversations has been a highlight for me. Call to Action What are you going to do for yourself this week? Prioritize your needs and take care of yourself.  Over the weekend, I observed one of the signs of things slowly going back to normal. We now have toilet tissues on the store shelves. The shortage was a visible sign of the impact of the pandemic on our lives. Small positive signs like these give me hope for the future.
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months. Check out part 1 and part 2 of the transition preparation guide. #1: Create an adaptable plan A plan serves as an orientation guide for decisions and actions that you will be taking over the next months. It might seem impossible to plan anything with all the uncertainty around us. By creating an adaptable plan, you can adjust it as you learn more over the next months. Having a plan will help you ensure you achieve your goals this year. Over the next six months, I am committed to take actions to make this year count. Strategies to consider
#2: Partner with people who are taking action When you surround yourself with people who have the right mindset and are taking action, you increase your chances to succeed. There are a lot of great things that we can learn from each other. I am a firm believer that having great companions on our journey is crucial. Sharing ideas and plans with my support community over the past months has been extremely helpful. We act as accountability partners for each other on our quest to succeed in our personal and professional lives. Strategies to consider
#3: Leave your worries behind The past months may have left you feeling helpless and worried about the future. It is a normal reaction given everything that has happened this year. However, to be able to make progress, we will need to adjust our perspective and have a positive outlook. One of the decisions that I have recently made is to continue my journey this year without fear. I am being cautious and taking the necessary safety precautions. However, I am not allowing fear to stop me from envisioning a great future and taking actions to make them a reality. Strategies to consider
Final Thoughts Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned: This week I was reminded of the importance of taking care of ourselves. Although I am working from home, I realized that I still need to pace myself and take vacation days. The excitement that came with scheduling my first vacation was unexpected. I know that I need to take a break and rejuvenate. Call to Action What fun things are you going to do this week?  Seeing more things reopen and conversations moving forward after the pandemic is exciting. I am immensely proud of how we are all adapting to the new normal and learning as we go.
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months. Check out part 1 or the transition preparation guide for more tips and ideas. #1: Learn new skills to thrive in these times With all the changes we have experienced over the last months, there are new skills that we need to learn. For some of us, we have had to learn how to work remotely, manage our households more efficiently, communicate differently with our families or being teachers for our kids. To thrive during the next phase, it is crucial to have an open mind and seek out resources that will help you learn the skills that you are missing. I have been learning more about using tools to simplify my life and stay on top of everything I need to do. Strategies to consider
#2: Practice being patient and resilient As we transition to the next phase this year, we will need to practice personal strength in many areas. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by all the change happening. Being patient with yourself and the situations you experience over the next months will help you thrive. For some of us, being patient does not come naturally so we need to be intentional and make an effort. I know that with patience and resilience I will weather any unexpected situation that I will face. Strategies to consider
#3: Learn new things about yourself and people around you When we go through changes, we also change. Facing new situations brings out new things in us as well as our family and friends. Over the past three months, I have learned more about what is important to me and what makes me happy. I am now more aware and accepting of how I am changing through this new phase. Strategies to consider
Final Thoughts Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned: It is quite easy to feel saddened and demotivated by everything going on in the world. I have been reminded of the importance of being optimistic and having a positive outlook on life. When I think about my future, I am hopeful and excited for what is to come. Call to Action What skills can you learn to help you thrive during the next months?  Over the last three months, I have been writing blog posts sharing tips on how to survive through quarantine and the current situation around us. As things begin to slowly shift, I thought it is a great time for us to begin our mental preparation for the next phase. This is a time of transition from the most unexpected situation we have all faced to the new normal.
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months. #1: Allow yourself to start thinking about the next phase To be able to kick-off the next phase in our lives, we need to give ourselves the permission to think about the future. Although the last months have brought unexpected surprises, there are still many opportunities for us to experience good things this year. This is the perfect time to reflect on what we have learnt and start envisioning the future. Strategies to consider
#2: Set expectations but prepare to learn and adjust While we anticipate what comes next, it is important to be hopeful and not fearful. We might be more inclined to temper our feelings of hope and excitement in order not to be disappointed. A source of motivation for us is being positive about the future. While we are being hopeful about the future, it is also important for us to prepare to pivot and do things differently if we are presented with unexpected situations. Strategies to consider
#3: Accept that things are not going back to normal and will be different Over the next months, we will experience life differently. The events of the last three months have left us all hoping for things to go back to the way that they were before. However, from all indications, things are going to be different over the next months. Accepting the new reality will help us be more successful. We can invest more energy in adapting to the new normal than desiring what we had before. Strategies to consider
Final Thoughts Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned: Over that last weeks I have realized that although planning is crucial, what really matters is how I adapt when my plans change. I have a lot of peace now that I am adapting to the recent changes instead of trying to push through my plans for 2020. I am also accepting that no amount of planning could have prepared me for our current situation. Call to Action What are you looking forward to the most over the next 6 months?  Wrapping up Mental health awareness month, I would like to discuss some ways we can maintain our mental wellbeing. It is crucial for us to take a proactive approach to taking good care of ourselves.
In this blog post, we will discuss three great things we can all do to make this week great. Check out part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6 , part 7, part 8 and part 9 of the survival guide for more tips and ideas. #1: Be aware of your fears and concerns Having fears or concerns is absolutely normal. Many of us grew up in societies where we never spoke about our fears. There was an unspoken rule of silence around topics like that. It took me years to learn that it was ok for me to have some fears as long as I do not let them rule my life. These days I have been paying attention to my concerns around he pandemic and the future when all this is over. Questions to consider
#2: Connect with your support community We all need a group of people who we can confide in and go to when times are tough. Having a tribe and support community has been very important in my life. As I navigate the ups and the downs, I have been blessed to have people who provide me with a safe space. Staying connected to your community is extremely important especially at times like these. Questions to consider
#3: Know that you are not alone in any situation When we go through difficult situations or face challenges, it is easy to think that you are the only one who is experiencing it. Hearing other people's stories can be a way to get encouraged and gain more perspective on your situation. When you share your challenges, you open lines of communication with others around you. Questions to consider
Final Thoughts Let's end this post with one lesson that I learned this past week: It is important to take some time off and relax. Because I have been working from home for almost three months, I have not taken any time off to rest and do nothing. Fortunately, we had a public holiday and additional day off. I did something I needed to do - got a lot of rest. Call to Action How are you going to care for your mental wellbeing?  Over the past weeks we have all gotten to experience new things and discover different aspects of our lives. It is definitely a once in a lifetime experience.
In this blog post, we will discuss three great things we can all do to make this week great. Check out part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6 , part 7 and part 8 of the survival guide for more tips and ideas. #1: Breathe and be at peace One of the keys to surviving and thriving through a situation like this is to find a way to be at peace. It can be hard to be calm with everything happening around us. Being intentional about trying to find your peaceful place is crucial in times like this. I have found that I am more at peace when I take good care of myself and do something I enjoy. Questions to consider
#2: Set healthy boundaries At times like these, it is easy to get consumed by all our responsibilities for our families or work. You may find yourself spending many hours doing things and being busy. To avoid burning out, it is essential to set healthy boundaries around your time and energy. One of the things I have been doing better at is separating the times that I work, take care of my home, do things I enjoy and rest. Also, it has been extremely helpful for me to communicate my boundaries and ensure others respect them. Questions to consider
#3: Enjoy the happy moments Although it may be hard to see the good during these times, there are so many things in our lives that are going well. It helps a lot to remind ourselves of how blessed we are and enjoy the happy moments in our lives. I have been making it a priority to sit and celebrate the good things happening in my life. I have been smiling and laughing a lot lately. Questions to consider
Final Thoughts Let's end this post with one lesson that I learned this past week: This past week I have been accepting that I cannot control this situation and the best thing I can do is to be hopeful. As a planner, it is difficult for me but I am learning. Call to Action How are you going to motivate yourself?  Another week is here, and we have the opportunity to motivate each other. Strangely, time seems like it is going back quickly and yet slowly.
In this blog post, we will discuss three great things we can all do to make this week great. Check out part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6 and part 7 of the survival guide for more tips and ideas. #1: Think about the future The thoughts and concerns about the present situation easily cloud our view of the future. Thankfully, this too shall pass, and we will be able to work on some of our goals. I know it is hard to envision what life would be like when this is all over. Envisioning the future gives me hope and keeps me energized. Questions to consider
#2: Be patient with yourself Especially as we go into more weeks of working from home or adjusting to the new normal, it is important to be patient with ourselves. Remind yourself that you are doing great and there is no playbook for how things should go. Also, it helps to stop comparing yourself to others. Questions to consider
#3: Surround yourself with people and things that encourage you There is a lot of sad news out there. It is crucial for us to find some good news and fill our lives with positivity. Especially if you notice yourself being sad or concerned, it's time to change what you are watching and listening to. I also value the people in my live who remind me that we are all doing well. Questions to consider
Final Thoughts Let's end this post with one lesson that I learned in the past week: The best way to survive uncertain times is to celebrate the small things that bring you joy. Recently, I have been celebrating the fact that it's springs and mangoes are in season. The joy of eating a fruit that reminds me a lot of my childhood has been a highlight of the past weeks. Call to Action How are you going to be bring someone joy this week?  Most of us have been under some form of quarantine for many weeks or even months. It is incredible to be living through a time like this. We are all doing something spectacular.
In this blog post, we will discuss three great things we can all do to make this week great. Check out part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5 and part 6 of the survival guide for more tips and ideas. #1: Enjoy the time while it lasts When all of this is over and we look back, there will be things that we wish we did. Time is going by very quickly and the anticipation of what comes next is robbing us of the experiences we could be enjoying. Take the time to enjoy a few things now. We will probably not get time like this to spend with our family and loved ones. Questions to consider
#2: Do some self-care It is interesting that we still need to be reminded to take care of ourselves. Do something nice for yourself like taking a nap, having a long bath, eating a great meal or whatever you enjoy. We are all busy taking care of others, working or trying to keep our businesses afloat and it is easy for us to neglect our own needs. Self-care should be a priority for you. It is a great way to rejuvenate and gather new energy for the week. Questions to consider
#3: Continue being cautious As some of the mandated restrictions in different parts of the world are lifted, now it is time for us to apply wisdom. We have the responsibility to take care of ourselves and our loved ones. It is important to take all the precautionary measures and stay safe. There will be enough time for us to adapt to the new normal. Questions to consider
Final thoughts We need to make more time to rest and not feel guilty about it. I had cultivated the habit of always doing something and packing my weekends with tasks. I have seen the benefits of taking time to do nothing and relax. Call to Action How are you staying focused on the good things in your life?  Over the past weeks, I have leveraged my blog and the community as a way to survive through these times. The tips that I have been sharing have helped shift my perspective and provide a positive outlook. I’m looking forward to another week of amazingness.
In this blog post, we will discuss three great things we can all do to make this week great. Check out part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4 and part 5 of the survival guide for more tips and ideas. #1: Focus on what matters There are a lot of things going on that are competing for our attention these days. We have to prioritize things in our lives to stay sane and survive. I have found myself prioritizing family time more. Spending time with my family and having great conversations has been one of my favorite survival tools. It is crucial to prioritize things that make you feel good. Questions to consider
#2: Break free from the load of responsibility or external pressures Especially when you follow other people’s feeds or updates, you might think that you are the only one who is not doing amazing things during this time. The truth is, we all only show the parts of our lives that look good. Life would be much better if you do what you want and what brings you joy. If needed, reduce the amount of external input you let into your life via channels like social media. Questions to consider
#3: Celebrate yourself and your superpowers You may not feel like you are living your life to the fullest or crushing those goals. However, what you are doing is surviving through a time that no one could have prepared you for. We take it for granted that we are able to maintain some sense of structure at times like this. To all of you out there who are working, caring for your families, helping others out, staying sane and taking a shower - you are all heroes. Questions to consider
Final Thoughts Let's end this post with one lesson that I learned this past week: For someone like me who loves to plan and gets frustrated when there are no good plans to achieve major goals, it has been difficult to watch everything going on in the world and the uncertainty everyone is facing. This past week, I started accepting the fact that we will not have a plan for a while and that is fine. This is a significant change in perspective for me. Call to Action What have you learned about yourself lately?  As the weeks go by, I am encouraged to see all the amazing people around me make the best of the current situation. I am convinced that great things happen when we support each other.
In this blog post, we will discuss three great things we can all do to make this week great. Check out part 1, part 2, part 3 and part 4 of the survival guide for more tips and ideas. #1: Enjoy some rest We are trained and conditioned to always be on and doing things. Making time to rest is something we have to do intentionally. There will always be people and tasks that demand our time and attention. I have learned that I am at my best when I feel fresh and rested. Questions to consider
#2: Treat yourself to something you enjoy at home When we all left the house every day, we seemed to look forward to coming home. It's time to revisit those things that you looked forward to. Enjoy a good meal, book, movie, gardening or conversation with someone amazing. Sometimes doing small fun things make a huge difference in our mood and outlook on life. Questions to consider
#3: Stop expecting things to go back to normal quickly As part of the mental count down, we are silently waiting for the time when things go back to “normal”. One thing I am beginning to accept is that things will be different for a while. Of course, we are hopeful and all. But we will have to make some changes in our lives when this is over. Accepting that fact is helping me set the right expectation and not put too much pressure on getting back to normal. Questions to consider
Final Thoughts
Call to Action How are you going to give yourself a small break this week?  We are definitely living in memorable times. I wonder what stories we will tell when all this is over. I hope you are all doing well.
In this blog post, we will discuss three great things we can all do to make this week great. Check out part 1, part 2 and part 3 of the survival guide for more tips and ideas. #1: Count your blessings At challenging times like these, it is very easy to be consumed with thoughts about what we don't have and the freedoms we have lost. This makes us lose sight of all the amazing things that we have. For me lately, I have been more vocal about the comfort that I have and the small things that make me happy. On my almost daily chats with my sister, we celebrate the small wins and good things in our lives. Questions to consider
#2: Learn something new A great way to distract yourself and gain long-term benefits is to learn something new. It could be acquiring life skills, professional development or new hobbies. This tip is inspired by my mum, who is taking an online class to grow her professional skills. In my previous newsletter, I shared some online learning platforms that I enjoy. There are many other life skills we can learn during times like this. I have been learning patience. Questions to consider
#3: Appreciate your special someone If you have a partner that is good to you, its time to show them that you appreciate them. I have come to appreciate my spouse a lot more over the past weeks. In almost every conversation I have had recently, I have shared how happy I am that we have a healthy relationship. Being able to be at home all day with another person for almost six weeks and still enjoy their company is not to be taken for granted. Questions to consider
Final Thoughts
Call to Action How are you going to conserve your energy and not burn out?  We are starting another week in these special times. I hope you are doing well and making the best of our current situation.
In this blog post, we will discuss three great things we can all do to make this week great. Check out part 1 and part 2 of the survival guide for more tips and ideas. #1: Listen to some music One of the things I have been doing more of is listening to music. Music has a special function and effect on me. It provides comfort, reminds me of good memories and makes me hopeful for the future. I noticed that as I get busy, I stop doing things that I really enjoy. This is the perfect time for us to rediscover the things that make us happy. Questions to consider
#2: Share your story and memories With the world slowing down a little, you might be able to remember more things. There is something special about sharing your past experiences with your family and friends. In the spirit of building deeper relationships, we have the opportunity to have conversations that matter. Questions to consider
#3: Encourage someone around you There are people around you who may benefit from some kind words and encouragement. We are all dealing with these uncertain times in different ways. I strongly believe that we can help each other get through these times. Questions to consider
Final Thoughts
Call to Action How are you guarding your mind and your thoughts?  It's the start of another week in these special times. How have the past weeks been for you? I hope you are doing well and making the best of our current situation.
In this blog post, we will discuss three great things we can all do to make this week great. Check out part 1 of the survival guide for three additional tips. #1: Start a new project Imagine when this is all over, knowing that you used the time optimally and created something valuable for yourself. We all have many things we want to do but don't find the time to. Now is the perfect time to unpack that list and start working on your personal project. Questions to consider
#2: Write down your thoughts Journaling is a practice that helps me get my thoughts together and check-in with myself. Last week I recommended we all spend time with ourselves and our thoughts. One way to take it further is to write things down. There are so many amazing thoughts and ideas that we don't even know we have. Taking notes will help you remember them. Questions to consider
#3: Do something for someone Acts of service help us look beyond our problems. Now that we are spending time with family, we have the opportunity to do special things for them. With the help of technology, we can also do things for people virtually. I recently saw people offering to have a chat with people who might be feeling lonely during these times. The act of kindness gave me a lot of hope. Questions to consider
Final Thoughts
Call to Action How will you bring some positivity into your life this week?  As I was planning for my blog post this week, I thought it'll be fitting to share great resources and tips that will help us get through these times. Let's take the opportunity we have to share some practical things we can do to survive and thrive.
In this blog post, we will discuss three great things we can all do to make this week great. Over the next weeks, I will share more tips and recommendations with you on how to thrive during this season. #1: Spend some time with yourself With the amount of time I have been spending at home, I have had a lot of time to think and reminisce. It feels like during normal times, I am so busy doing life and hardly have any time to be still and think. As I was reflecting over the past weeks, I have become more aware of the fact that I am the happiest I have been in my life. This process has led me to feel more gratitude for who I am and where I am in life. Questions to consider
#2: Share your thoughts with people who care Firstly, if you are feeling concerned or slightly anxious, you are not alone. No matter what you are feeling, it is a valid way to feel. Earlier today, I was talking to someone who lives alone, and I really count myself blessed to have someone to talk to in the house. Being able to talk about my thoughts with my family has been a game-changer. Questions to consider
#3: Reconnect with one person (virtually) Especially now when a lot of us are practicing "physical distancing", it is important to stay in contact with people we care about. With our busy lives, it is very easy to lose contact with people in our lives. This is a great time to connect with someone you have not spoken to in a long while. I believe that these connections will make a difference for everyone involved. With the technology we have, we are able to stay connected easily. Questions to consider
Final Thoughts
Call to Action How are you going to make this time count? Take action to make the best of this situation.  I planned to write another blog post today. As I reflected more on the topics on my mind these days, I decided to talk about the latest changes in all our lives. When the year started, I had my plans for this quarter and I never expected to be here.
In this blog post, I will share my thoughts on life as it is today and how I am working on adjusting my perspective. Have I ever been through an experience like this? In my life, I have been through some scary experiences, but I am not sure I can compare them to this experience. Growing up in Nigeria, there were some unrests that led to total curfews and restrictions on resources. I remember two of those times distinctly. From what I remember, there was a lot of worry on the faces of adults around us. One thing was sure, the times came and passed. It took a long time for life to go back to normal, but it eventually did. Now fast-forward almost 20 years later, another crisis is impacting our lives greatly. The Coronavirus pandemic is affecting all of our lives significantly. How can we avoid panic? One of the things that I am noticing is that there is an excessive amount of news coverage on COVID-19. For me, because I have family around the world, I am very happy that I can keep track of things happening with them from so far away. However, I have found myself being slightly nervous around the spread of the disease, especially here in the US. If you follow the news, you know why. I really don't want fear to be a constant part of my life. It is tough but one thing that helps me is to remind myself of the good things that we have. My family and I are healthy, have a source of income and access to most of the resources we need. I am very grateful for that and do not take it for granted. How can we take care of ourselves? With all the chaos around us, it is crucial for us to prioritize self-care. I have been doing some research on the impact of a crisis on our mental health and physical well-being. If you are like me, you internalize a lot of the stress around you. I am being more intentional about acknowledging how I feel and then making changes to be healthy. Another thing that I am doing is accepting the change in our lives. Especially with work, a lot has changed. I am thankful for the flexibility I have and I'm taking advantage of the opportunities I have. What responsibilities do we have for the people around us? This past weekend, I was talking to my sister, who reminded me of the fact that she has to stay healthy to take care of her daughter. Not only does she have to think about herself or her health. but she is also responsible for another little human. In addition, I believe that generally we have to be compassionate and have empathy for others around us. We live in a society and are responsible for caring about each other. How can we help each other? At times like this, it is easy to get into your mind and think about ourselves the most. I am finding that when I care for other people, it makes me happier. I have been touched by people offering to help each other at these strange times. It reminds me a lot of growing up in Nigeria where we all cared for our family and neighbors. So, this is me offering my help to anyone who needs some support. There are different types of things we can help people do, ranging from conversations to sharing our knowledge. We all have something to offer. Final Thoughts There is so much going on in my mind these days. To help myself, here are some things that I am telling myself:
Call to Action Take care of yourself and the people around you.  Happy Women's Day and Women's heritage month to all the amazing women I know!
This past Sunday, we celebrated International Women's Day (IWD). The IWD theme for this year is "#Each for Equal". I was also attracted to the phrase "I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights" from the United Nations. When I saw the theme and slogan for the year, I started wondering what gender equality means to me and what role I can play. In this blog post, I will share my journey and thoughts on some of the thought-provoking statements on the International Women's Day website. Starting point: What is Gender Equality
MC's Journey When I think about my childhood, I am reminded that I was very fortunate to grow up around very strong Women. My mother, grandmother, aunts and cousins were all responsible for taking care of their households. And they did all that was in their power to provide for their families. Taking into consideration that Nigeria, where I spent my childhood, is a very patriarchal society. In our home, I was fortunate to grow up without the thought of being limited as a woman. However, there were strong external factors that defined the role of a woman. In summary, the reason a woman was here on earth was to get married, have kids and care for their families. Another strong contributing factor to me believing I was strong and could do anything that I wanted to do was the Secondary school/High school that I attended. I was able to get a good foundation in my science education. Let's fast-forward a few years. The time in my life where I really started thinking about gender equality more was when I entered the workforce. I could not understand the difference in pay. As data shows, Women earn 23% less than men globally. This is one that has been on my mind over the years of my career. Every day when I go to work, I bring my best self and do an amazing job. All I want is to be rewarded the same way. It doesn't make sense to me. Now let's talk about our contribution to the world as women. I should probably write a longer post about this. It is very important for me to show women out there that we are equal and can do anything we want to do. I want to encourage young girls to study technical topics and explore any careers that they would like to be without being restricted. This is what I'm focused on now. Why is it essential to have Gender Equality? This statement on the IWD website caught my attention - "An equal world is an enabled world" . I strongly believe that as women, we have a lot to contribute to the world. To make this point stronger, the UN states that "Providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care, decent work, and representation in political and economic decision-making processes will fuel sustainable economies and benefit societies and humanity at large". How can we contribute to Gender Equality? We can all do things to make progress towards gender equality: #1: Celebrate women's achievement In our lives, we are surrounded by amazing women. Make it a priority to celebrate the women around you. The more we celebrate each other's contributions the more they will be seen. #2: Raise awareness against bias Especially in my new role, I am more aware of the bias that people have against women. When we see people apply stereotypes and biases, we can speak up. Making people aware of bias will get us closer to the world we want to live in. #3: Take action for equality If we want to see change, we need to be the change. I strongly believe that if we take action, we will contribute to making the world a better place. Final Thoughts Let's wrap up this post with quotes from amazing women
Call to Action Celebrate your greatness!  When I launched my blog in January 2018, I had no idea where I will be two years later. Unlike with a lot of other things that I do, I did not have a perfect plan for my blog. It took me a while to be bold and take the step, so I decided to plan to start and actually get started instead of planning everything out.
I'm so excited to celebrate the second anniversary of my blog with you all. Thank you for reading, sharing my posts, sharing your experiences with me and allowing me to share my deepest thoughts with you. In this blog post, I will answer some of the questions I get about starting and having a blog. My responses to the top questions about my Blog When and how did I know I wanted to have a blog? In summer 2011, I had a strong desire to build a platform for women like me to share and learn from one another. I sat on my dream for over seven years and did nothing. The primary reason why I didn't get started was that I was too scared to take the bold step. However, I believe that the years that passed prepared me even more for launching my blog. How did I get started? Over the Christmas holidays in 2017, I knew the time had come and I could no longer make excuses for not having my blog. The first step for me was to create my site and start writing blog posts. The tasks that I needed completed sounded very easy. However, my quest for perfection almost discouraged me from launching my website. I decided to start working on and to launch my website with my first five blog posts. Over the first weeks of January, I worked on my site and my initial blog posts. Simultaneously I started taking writing classes to learn some writing skills and did expensive research on creating a website. I shared my site with the world on January 23, 2018. Why did I start blogging? In one of my first blog posts titled "What I want from my blog", I shared my motivation for starting my blog. In summary, I wanted to share my learnings with others, share resources that have helped me in my life, empower women in all phases of their lives, learn from other women's experiences and build a community of women who support each other on their journey. Looking back on the past two years, I have been able to do more than I expected with my blog. I am more than grateful for the opportunity to grow and give back to my community. What am I proud of? Celebrating my accomplishments is something that I am being more intentional about. Over the past two years, I have achieved the following:
What have I learned on my journey? As with every journey we embark on, there are many lessons to be learned. Some of the lessons I have learned that I did not anticipate were:
What have been my highlights? In addition to learning lessons and gaining experience, I have also had some personal highlights:
How do I ensure I am growing my blog? Growth and improvement are on my mind continuously. I want my blog to continue to grow over the next years. Some of the ways I ensure I maintain a growth mindset are:
What do I want to do in the future with my blog? To all my faithful readers, thanks a lot for supporting me on my journey. I'm committed to growing my platform over the next months and years
Final Thoughts I am sharing my story to encourage you to take a leap and do that thing that you have been telling yourself you can't do. If I could face my fears and do something I was scared of, you absolutely can too. Call to Action What is that thing you have been putting off and delaying? Now is the perfect time to pick it back up and do it. "Insecurity is just something that's there all the time. I've never been crippled by it." Catherine Keener  Do you feel insecure or you're not good enough?
As women we have a lot we are insecure about such as our body image, knowledge, identity, experiences or our relationships. In order for our insecurity not to get in the way of our progress we need to take active steps to deal with it. In this blog post, we will explore the definition of being insecure, how it affects our lives, the importance of dealing with our insecurities as well as practical strategies you can apply the next time you feel insecure. I will also share a little about my journey with insecurity. What does it mean to be insecure?
Why is it important to face our insecurities ?
How does being insecure affect you?
What should you work towards? The positive feelings are: secure, confident, assured, certain, decisive, stable, unafraid or untroubled. 5 Strategies to deal with your insecurity #1: Accept your insecurities Feeling insecure in any aspect of your life is normal. Being aware of your insecurities provides you with the opportunity to address them heads on. Spend time getting to know yourself more and equip yourself with the tool you need. #2: Celebrate your achievements Think back on those times when you overcame your insecurities and took a bold step. Celebrate them and acknowledge how hard you worked to make it happen. And then when you start doubting yourself or feeling insecure, take a look at what you've achieved. #3: Commit to a plan Setting a deadline and committing to a plan is a great way to hold yourself accountable to overcome your insecurities. The act of committing to do something puts you in a mindset of taking action. #4:Do something you are afraid of Take a step and do something you don't feel fully prepared for. The best strategy to face your insecurity is to take action. Sometimes it takes a while for you to start feeling confident. Continue taking steps towards achieving your goals. #5: Share your story Often, when we share our insecurities with others and listen to theirs as well, we feel empowered. Knowing that you are not alone with some of the challenges you face makes it feel better. Empower others and be empowered by others. MC's Story I also have my own share of insecurities. Recently I had to practice what I preach and face my insecurities. For about a year, I had been thinking about creating other avenues to share content and expand my community. Creating a YouTube channel was the next logical move, but I was too afraid to do it. I had never recorded or edited videos ever before. I was also very insecure about how I would look and sound on camera. There were many insecurities that I had to overcome before I took the first step. The strategy that helped me was "Commit to a plan". Once I set a date to launch in March 2019, I had a date to work towards. For me keeping my commitment was more important than all the insecurities that held me back. I did it !!! I launched my YouTube Channel this month. Call To Action What areas are you insecure? What strategies are you planning to apply? Identify your insecurities. Final Thoughts
Great Resources
 It was a Tuesday, shortly after noon two amazing twin girls were born in Neuss Germany. It's our birthday, and I want to do something special for my birthday companion - my twin sister Melissa-Sue.
This post is very personal for me. I want to celebrate Melissa today in a very special way. Let me share a little about my sister, the important role she plays in my life and some of my favorite memories. How would I describe Melissa? This is a dicey one; there are so many words that come to mind when I think about my sister. I chose to describe some of her unique strengths:
What does my sister do for me? Over the last year, I've been learning to value my relationships. Here are some of the fantastic things my sister does for me:
What we have in common? We are a very "uncommon" set of twins. Though our physical features and personalities are very different, we have some commonalities. I want to take time to share things we have in common:
My favorite memories with my Twin sister In our lives together, we have had a lot of great memories, a few of them are: Celebrating our birthdays as kids I enjoyed our birthdays together; it felt great to share my birthday with someone. Although my mum decided to dress us in the same outfits, we still had our individual birthday preferences. Telling people, we are twins It seemed like we spent much time trying to convince people first that we were related and then that we were twins. I enjoyed the shocked look on people’s faces. We had something special that was ours. Enjoying great food together There were so many times growing up when we would eat the simple things we loved and bond over them. The memories of our weekend meals are very dear to me. Till date, every time we get to spend together, we make it a priority to eat something delicious. Reuniting in Germany After spending over a year alone in Germany, my sister moved as well. Thinking back, being in the same country allowed us to share many growth opportunities and be there for one another. Having my niece Seeing my sister become a mum seven years ago was a very memorable milestone on our journey. Observing my sister with my niece shows me how much she is willing to share her love. Spending Christmas 2017 together Spending time with my sister and niece was very special. Introducing them to my new life in the US made me very aware of all the changes that I have experienced. We made so many great memories that I’ll always value. My Final Thoughts I am very grateful for my sister, and I'm looking forward to many more years together. Please wish my twin sister Melissa-Sue a happy birthday. Happy Birthday to my one and only twin Sister 😊 |
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