Have you ever caught yourself making endless excuses for someone’s bad behaviour? You might sit quietly and tell yourself that they probably did not mean it that way, or that they simply don’t know any better.

We often wrap their actions in our own good intentions. We want the world to be soft, so we soften the sharp edges of the people around us. But the quiet truth we usually avoid is that, regardless of the fragile facade people put up, everyone is fundamentally aware of their actions and the ripple effects those actions cause.

It’s a very natural instinct for empathetic people to project their own kindness onto others. This beautiful trait unfortunately creates a massive blind spot. We want to believe in the innocent mistake. We want to give the benefit of the doubt. But there is a profound difference between a genuine error and a repeated pattern.

A mistake happens once, maybe twice. A pattern is a deliberate choice. When we see a pattern, we are looking at a conscious decision, even if the person playing the part prefers to look entirely clueless. 😑

It’s often much easier for people to be perceived as unaware than to be seen as calculating. They wear a mask of ignorance because it’s comfortable and it keeps them safe from accountability (screams weaponised incompetence, but that’s for another day).

The reality is that human beings are naturally calculative creatures. Before acting, we all weigh the risks and rewards, whether we do it consciously in the moment or subconsciously over time.

If someone takes an action that damages a relationship or hurts you deeply, it is rarely because they could not foresee the consequence. It’s usually because they decided the action was worth the consequence. They accepted the potential fallout before they even made the move.

Sometimes, the tearful apologies that follow aren’t filled with genuine remorse for the action itself, but rather a deep regret for having been caught and having to face the uncomfortable outcome.

Realising this can feel a bit heavy at first, but it’s actually a deeply liberating shift in perspective. It means you can finally stop doing the exhausting mental gymnastics required to justify someone else’s poor choices. You can stop writing their alibis for them.

When someone shows you who they are through their daily actions, you have to believe them. If their choices consistently say they do not care, you must not let their fleeting words convince you otherwise.

Once you fully accept that everybody knows what they are doing, everything in your life begins to shift. It becomes significantly easier to set firm boundaries without feeling consumed by unwarranted guilt.

This mindset is not about becoming cynical, cold, or bitter towards the world. It’s about becoming incredibly clear-sighted. It is about preserving your energy for the people who genuinely value it. Accepting this truth gives you back your personal control and fiercely protects your peace of mind.

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Till next time,
Erioluwa. 👑⚡

The kind that comes from wanting to do everything, learning everything, becoming everything, all at once. You wake up excited, ready to conquer the world, but by 2 pm, you’re already like, “omo!”

If you’re someone who can do many things, you’ve probably felt this pull. Design, writing, tech, business, teaching, strategy. The ideas don’t stop coming. Opportunities look interesting and doable from every angle.

Your mind moves fast, curious and alert. You’re not confused, you’re capable, but the problem is that capability can sometimes feel like chaos.

Being a multipotentialite is not a flaw. It’s a gift. The ability to learn quickly, adapt, and connect ideas across fields is powerful. It gives you range. It gives you perspective. It allows you to see patterns others miss.

The problem isn’t that you can do many things. The problem, as I’ve learnt, is trying to do all of them at the same time.

When everything feels important, focus becomes difficult. You start many things but struggle to finish them. Your attention is divided. Energy is spread thin.

It’s not that you’re lazy or unserious. It’s that your attention is all over the place. Progress requires depth, and depth needs serious time and commitment.

Trying to chase multiple paths at once often leads to serious frustration. You’re moving, but not arriving. You see potential everywhere, yet nothing actually feels fully formed.

Over time, if you’re not careful, this pattern of back-and-forth can take away your confidence, because it’ll always seem like you’re doing a lot and have nothing to show for it. You start wondering if the issue is discipline, when really, it’s direction.

The truth is, being multi-talented requires even more structure, not less. Now, the goal isn’t to suppress your interests or shrink yourself to fit one label, but rather it’s to learn how to channel your abilities wisely.

Focus doesn’t mean forever. It means for now. It means choosing one direction for this season, knowing others will still be there later. You don’t have to abandon parts of yourself to commit to one thing. You’re simply prioritising. Sequencing, not sacrificing.

There’s power in choosing one thing at a time. When your attention is no longer split, your skills compound. Your confidence grows because you’re seeing results. You’re able to build momentum because you’re no longer restarting every few weeks.

One of the hardest parts of focus is letting go of the fear of missing out. E tuff! The fear that if you don’t pursue everything now, you’ll lose the chance forever.

See ehn, I want you to know that growth isn’t necessarily a race, and your interests don’t expire. In fact, when you return to them later, you often do so with more insight and strength.

So maybe the question isn’t, “what can I do?” Maybe it’s, “what deserves my attention right now?”

You can be many things over a lifetime. But right now, in this moment, choose one direction. Focus isn’t limitation. It’s alignment. And alignment is how multipotentialites stop feeling pulled apart and start moving forward.

I hope this resonates with someone out there and helps them on their journey. Remember, I’m rooting for you.

Till next time,
Erioluwa. 👑⚡

“Pray for them that hurt you” is a phrase many of us have heard, and if we’re honest, quietly resisted, because what do you mean I should pray for the people who hurt me?! 😑

It sounds deeply inconvenient. When someone hurts you, the last thing you want to do is wish them well. You want understanding, apology. Justice, even. Prayer feels like asking too much.

Hurt has a way of staying longer than we expect. It doesn’t just live in the memory of what happened. It shows up in how we react, how guarded we become, and how easily our peace is shaken.

You could just be going about your day, and you suddenly run into the person who hurt you. All of a sudden, your heart rate increases and you start to feel trapped.

See ehn, holding on to hurt often feels justified. After all, you were wronged. Letting go can feel like letting them off the hook. But the truth is, resentment rarely reaches the person it’s meant for. It lives with you.

Praying for someone who hurt you isn’t about excusing what they did. It doesn’t deny the damage or erase the need for boundaries. You can still protect yourself. You can still say no. You don’t have to trust them again, but still, let go.

Letting go doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine. It means deciding that their actions will no longer control your inner life.

Prayer changes things, but not always in the way we expect. It’s not primarily about changing them. It’s about changing what you’re carrying. When you pray, something begins to loosen. The grip of anger softens. The intensity of the memory fades. You stop rehearsing the hurt.

Prayer doesn’t have to be polished or kind to be real. It can begin with honesty. With anger. With tears. You don’t have to feel forgiving to take the step. You just have to be willing. Sometimes the prayer is simply, “LORD, help me let this go.” And that is enough to start.

Letting go is not weakness. It’s courage. It’s choosing yourself. It’s recognising that your peace is too valuable to be held hostage by someone else’s actions.

So maybe today, you ask yourself who you’re still carrying. And maybe, gently, you choose to release them. Not for their sake, but for yours.

Till next time,
Erioluwa. 👑⚡

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There’s a rule in aviation that most people don’t know about. No plane is allowed to take off without a filed flight plan. It doesn’t matter how powerful the aircraft is or how experienced the pilot may be.

Without a destination, a route, and clear instructions, the plane stays right where it is. Grounded. Not because it can’t fly, but because it shouldn’t.

I’ve been thinking about how closely that mirrors real life. So many people have the capacity to move forward. They’re skilled, driven, and full of potential. Yet progress feels slow or completely absent.

The issue isn’t necessarily with them; it’s that they have no plan to guide them. Readiness without direction still leaves you stuck on the runway.

These days, we often mistake activity for progress. We stay busy, attend meetings (post pictures/screenshots of being in said meetings 🌝), take courses, and start things.

But just like a plane taxiing endlessly on the runway, movement without direction isn’t flight. It burns fuel (energy) without creating lift. When there’s no plan, time often slips away without anything much to show for it.

Staying grounded always comes at a cost. Always. Opportunities pass by. Confidence fades. Frustration grows when months go by, and nothing really changes.

Eventually, it starts to feel personal, like it’s a lack of discipline. But many times, the real issue is simpler than that. There was never a clear destination in the first place.

A flight plan doesn’t mean every second of the journey is controlled. Pilots don’t command the weather, and they don’t eliminate uncertainty.

What they do have is clarity. They know where they’re going, the route they intend to take, and the conditions they might face.

In life, a plan works the same way. It’s not about rigidity, it’s about intention. It’s clarity! It’s knowing what matters, what you’re working toward, and what deserves your focus.

Of course, no flight is perfectly smooth. Turbulence happens. Routes change. Adjustments are made midair. But the destination remains the same.

The problem isn’t turbulence, it’s abandoning the plan entirely at the first sign of discomfort. Progress doesn’t require perfection; it requires commitment. Flexibility within structure is what keeps you moving forward.

Making a plan is important, but sticking to it is where real growth happens. Filing a flight plan and ignoring it still keeps a plane grounded.

In the same way, writing goals and never honouring them creates false hope. Discipline is the decision to stay aligned, even when motivation fades, and distractions appear more attractive.

Everyone wants to fly. Everyone wants growth, freedom, and progress. But flight doesn’t begin with ambition alone. It begins with intention.

Without a plan, you stay grounded by default, no matter how capable you are. With a plan, you give yourself a runway, clearance, and the confidence to take off.

So the question isn’t whether you can fly. The question is whether you’ve filed a plan. Where are you going next, and have you decided how you’ll get there? Clarity creates lift.

Till next time,
Erioluwa. 👑⚡

Ignorance isn’t about being unintelligent or incapable. It’s about moving without clarity. It’s about drifting instead of deciding. You can be talented, hardworking, and ambitious, yet still be ignorant of where you’re actually going. Motion without direction may feel productive, but it often leads nowhere. You’re busy, but you’re not building.

Going into a new year without a clear plan of action is risky because life doesn’t pause while you figure things out. Time keeps moving. Opportunities don’t wait. Without clarity, you end up reacting instead of choosing. You say yes to things that don’t serve you, simply because you don’t know what you’re aiming for. Before long, the year feels full, yet strangely empty of progress.

Ignorance always has a cost, and it’s never cheap. Sometimes it shows up as wasted time. Other times it looks like repeated mistakes, financial strain, burnout, or the quiet frustration of realising you’re in the same place you were last year. When there’s no direction, everything feels urgent. When there’s no plan, every distraction feels important.

Clarity, on the other hand, is profitable. It saves you energy, money, and emotional stress. When you know what matters, you make clearer decisions. You stop chasing everything and start protecting your focus. Clarity doesn’t mean you’ll never fail, but it does mean you’ll fail forward, with intention, instead of stumbling in circles.

Clarity is also wise. It allows you to anticipate challenges instead of being shocked by them. It helps you prepare rather than panic. Planning doesn’t mean you control the future; it means you respect it enough to be ready. Wisdom isn’t knowing everything that will happen; it’s refusing to walk blindly into what’s coming.

And clarity is good. It brings peace. There’s something grounding about knowing where you’re headed, even if you don’t know every step. Direction reduces anxiety. It replaces noise with focus and pressure with purpose. Choosing clarity is an act of self-respect. It’s saying your time, energy, and future matter too much to leave to chance.

As 2026 approaches, the invitation is simple but serious. Pause. Reflect. Ask yourself honest questions. What worked this year? What didn’t? What do you want to build, protect, or change? Write it down. Not perfectly. Just clearly.

Ignorance feels easy because it asks nothing of you. But clarity, though demanding, gives back. And while planning doesn’t guarantee success, entering a new year without direction almost guarantees confusion.

Choose intention over hope alone. Let 2026 meet you prepared.

Till next year,
Erioluwa. 👑⚡

Is it just me or over time, it’s starting to feel like the Christmas season has become more about shopping, parties, and vacations more than the miracle it celebrates?

Everywhere you look, there are decorations, food, and celebrations, and you might even hear people say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” It’s not wrong to enjoy these things, but somewhere along the way, the true reason for the season can get lost in the noise. And that’s what makes this message so important: Christ is in Christmas. Without HIM, there is no Christmas.

The birth of Jesus is the moment GOD entered humanity in the most personal way possible. The Creator of the universe chose to come as a man, humble, vulnerable, and fully human, yet fully divine. That moment changed history forever.

The joy, the hope, the peace that Christmas represents all stem from this single truth: GOD came to us. Everything else we celebrate, the lights, the gifts, the feasts, are lovely, but they are secondary. They point us toward a moment of wonder that is far greater than any material joy.

But here’s a sobering reality. You’ll be surprised at the number of people who celebrate Christmas and don’t know Jesus. They’ve not even heard about HIM. Therefore, dear believer, it’s our duty as ministers of reconciliation to spread the good news to them. The good news is not about rice, chicken, or oblee, but that Jesus was born!

It’s easy to get comfortable with the familiar patterns of Christmas, and even easier to shy away from speaking the real reason for the season. We sometimes fear being too bold or worry about offending someone, and as a result, the story of Christ can be drowned out by secular traditions. But for believers, Christmas is not a time to stay quiet. It’s not a time to shy away but to proclaim who the season is truly about - Jesus.

Many people celebrate without understanding the significance of the birth of Jesus. They decorate, give gifts, and feast, but they’ve never paused to consider the miracle that changed the course of history.

That’s why it’s so important for those who know HIM to boldly declare the reason for the season. Christmas is not a neutral holiday; it’s the celebration of GOD coming to earth as man, to restore mankind to HIMSELF.

We might sometimes forget that this is the ultimate act of love and reconciliation. GOD didn’t just send a message or a prophet. He came HIMSELF. This is the foundation of what we should celebrate during Christmas.

And yet, if we are not intentional, the focus shifts to material things, to traditions, and to fleeting pleasures. While those things are not inherently wrong, they can never replace the profound significance of Christ’s birth.

Christmas is also a reminder of our mission. As believers, we are called to share the good news with those who don’t know HIM. That means being intentional with our words, actions, and celebrations. It doesn’t have to be complicated.

Sometimes it’s as simple as inviting someone to church, or even having a conversation about what Christmas truly means. The goal is to point people to Jesus, not just to the festivities.

When we talk about the reason for the season, it’s not about guilt or legalism. It’s about clarity and purpose. We live in a world that can easily reduce Christmas to a day of indulgence or a chance to rest from work. While it’s wonderful to enjoy time with family and friends, the heart of the season is much deeper.

It’s about celebrating the GOD who loved us enough to enter our world and walk among us. Everything should ultimately lead us back to that truth.

It’s encouraging to realise that when we share the message of Jesus boldly, we can make a difference. Someone hearing about HIM for the first time might never have encountered the story otherwise.

Your words, your testimony, your willingness to speak about Christ can plant seeds that grow for eternity. And it doesn’t need to be overwhelming; the smallest act of pointing someone to Jesus can have profound effects.

Celebrating Christmas with this mindset also changes the way we experience it. When we centre our hearts on Jesus, every song, every word, and every gathering becomes more intentional and more meaningful. It’s no longer just a holiday; it becomes a season of joy rooted in love and gratitude for the greatest gift ever given. Gifts fade, meals finish, and parties end, but eternal life is forever.

This year, I encourage you to be intentional. Make sure your celebrations point back to the true reason for the season. Talk about Jesus with family, friends, and even strangers.

Encourage those around you to remember the miracle of GOD becoming man, and don’t shy away from proclaiming the truth. Christmas isn’t about fitting in or being politically correct; it’s about celebrating the GOD who came to save us.

Ultimately, remembering that Jesus is the reason for the season transforms everything. It reminds us of the hope we have, the love we’ve been shown, and the mission we carry. When we prioritise HIM in our hearts and actions, the distractions of the season fade into the background. The gatherings, the gifts, the meals become celebrations of something infinitely greater.

So this Christmas, don’t let the true meaning be overshadowed. Speak about HIM, live for HIM, and celebrate HIM with joy. Share the story with those who haven’t heard it. Let your words and actions point to the miracle of Jesus’ birth.

Let every greeting be a reminder that Christ is in Christmas. After all, it’s not just “Happy Holidays” that we should say; it’s “Merry Christmas” because without Christ, there is no Christmas.

May this season be filled with the wonder of knowing that GOD came to us in the form of a baby, that hope was born, and that HIS love continues to change lives. The joy, peace, and purpose of Christmas begin and end with HIM. And as ministers of reconciliation, we have the incredible privilege of sharing that truth with a world that desperately needs to hear it.

Jesus loves you and HE demonstrated this by dying for your sins. In HIM is eternal life.

Merry Christmas.
Erioluwa. 👑⚡

The power of evidence is often underestimated today, seeing as we’re encouraged to chase the next goal, the next milestone, the next version of ourselves. Progress becomes the priority, and memory quietly fades into the background.

Yet, without evidence of where we have been, progress can feel hollow. Evidence gives our journey weight. It turns growth into something real, visible, and deeply personal.

Evidence is not only about proof for others. It’s proof for you. Yes, you. It’s the record that reminds you that your efforts mattered, even when the results were slow or invisible at the time.

A journal entry, a saved email, a photo, a voice note, or a finished piece of work becomes a marker in time. It says, “I was here. I tried. I learned. I changed.” Without these markers, life can blur into a series of days that feel similar, making it easy to forget how far you’ve come.

As we grow older, memory becomes selective. We remember emotions more than details, feelings more than facts. This can work against us. On difficult days, the mind has a way of rewriting history, convincing us that we have always struggled, that things have never improved, or that we are standing still.

Evidence interrupts that lie. It brings clarity. It shows you the earlier version of yourself who was uncertain, inexperienced, or afraid, and it places that version beside who you are now. The contrast is powerful.

Keeping evidence also helps us honour seasons that no longer exist. There are moments in life that shape us quietly. Late nights spent learning a new skill (tech people 🌝😂), projects that never made it to the public eye, relationships that taught us lessons rather than lasting forever. 💀

Evidence preserves these moments. It prevents them from disappearing completely. Even when a season ends, its meaning does not have to be lost.

There’s also a confidence that grows from evidence. Confidence built on memory alone is fragile, because memory can be distorted by doubt. Confidence built on evidence is grounded.

When you can look back and see patterns of consistency, resilience, and improvement, belief in yourself becomes more stable. You stop relying solely on motivation and start trusting your process. You know that even when things feel slow, movement is happening.

Evidence plays a role in identity too. We are constantly becoming, and in that process, it is easy to feel disconnected from who we used to be.

Keeping records creates continuity. It helps you see that you are not a completely different person each year, but a layered one. Each stage builds on the previous one. Your past self becomes a foundation, not something to dismiss or forget.

Importantly, evidence does not have to be polished. It does not need to be impressive or public. It only needs to be honest.

Progress is rarely neat. Growth includes mistakes, pauses, and detours. Keeping evidence of these moments makes your story more complete. It teaches compassion for yourself and patience with your pace.

In a world that celebrates only finished outcomes, or that celebrates your journey only if you’re successful, choosing to keep evidence of the process is an act of quiet resistance. It says that becoming matters as much as arriving. It allows you to look back not with regret, but with understanding. You begin to see that every step, even the uncertain ones, contributed to who you are now.

As you move forward in life and into the new year, consider what evidence you are keeping. Not for validation, not for comparison, but for remembrance.

One day, you will need the reminder. You will need to see that you were brave before you felt ready, consistent before it was easy, and growing long before you noticed.

That is the power of evidence. It protects your story from being forgotten, including by you.

Till next time,
Erioluwa. 👑⚡

Most people are brilliant in secret. We think, create, plan, and build, yet hide everything as if it were classified information. Our notebooks are full, our drives are running out of space, and our heads are busy, but the world never quite gets to see what we’re capable of.

I get it. It’s easier to stay quiet. It feels safer. You don’t risk being misunderstood if you never say anything. You can’t fail publicly if no one knows you’re trying. “Shebi na who dem know dem go shame?” So you tuck your work away and tell yourself, “When it’s perfect, I’ll share it.” But perfection has a funny way of taking forever.

We do this thing where we shrink our brilliance under the disguise of humility. We call it being “low-key”, but sometimes it’s fear wearing modesty as perfume (Oud L’afraid 😂). We’re scared of seeming proud, scared of being judged, scared of standing out too loudly. But here’s the truth: staying invisible doesn’t make you humble; it makes your potential harder to find.

There’s this quiet myth that good work will always speak for itself. Maybe it will, but often, it only whispers. And if the room is already full of noise, no one will hear it unless you give it a microphone. That’s what showing your work really is. It’s not bragging; it’s amplifying.

You’re not saying, “Look at me.” You’re saying, “Here’s what I’m building. Here’s what I’ve learned. Here’s what might help someone else.” It’s generosity disguised as self-expression.

Some people think blowing your own trumpet is arrogance. But I think the problem is that too many of us leave our trumpets in their cases and then wonder why no one knows we can play. You’re not showing off; you’re showing up. There’s a difference.

And showing up has power. When you put your work out there, you don’t just reach people, you reach opportunities. The right people can only find you when you stop hiding. You never know who’s quietly watching, needing exactly what you have to offer but can’t see because you’ve kept it locked away.

Still, I know it’s not easy. The fear of judgment is very real. What if they don’t like it? What if they laugh? What if no one reacts? The thing is, those “what ifs” will always exist. But you don’t need everyone to understand you; you just need the right ones to connect. And here’s the twist: someone, somewhere, needs what you’re hiding.

We all consume things daily that were once someone else’s risk. A video, a quote, a photo, a paragraph. Someone decided to hit “post” or “publish” even though their voice shook. And here we are, changed by it. Imagine how many lives stay unlit because too many of us keep our lamps covered.

Showing your work isn’t about self-importance; it’s about self-expression. The goal isn’t to impress but to contribute. You don’t have to wait until you’ve got it all figured out. Share the process, not just the polished. Talk about what you’re learning, not only what you’ve mastered. People relate to progress more than perfection.

And you don’t need to do it loudly. Showing your work can look like documenting your creative process, sharing small lessons online, celebrating a milestone with your community, or even telling your story in a conversation. It can be quiet, authentic, and powerful. The point is to stop waiting for a grand moment of arrival before you let your voice be heard.

The irony is that most of us think our work isn’t “big enough” to share, but it’s the small things that connect the most. A half-formed idea might spark someone else’s breakthrough. A reflection on what you learned last week might save another person months of confusion. You won’t know until you let it out.

And yes, there will be critics. But let’s be honest, the people doing the most criticism are rarely doing the work. You can’t let their noise scare you into silence.

So start small. Post that thought you’ve been sitting on. Share a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what you’re creating. Talk about the lessons that came from failing forward. It doesn’t have to trend or go viral to be valuable. Consistency is louder than virality anyway.

I’ve learned that hiding isn’t humility, it’s hesitation. And while it might feel safe for a while, safety and growth rarely share the same room. If you keep waiting until you feel ready, you’ll miss the very moments that prepare you.

You don’t need to have it all figured out before you begin. You only need to be willing to be seen learning. Because one day, someone else will be watching you and thinking, “If they can, maybe I can too.” And that’s the real beauty of showing your work: it multiplies courage.

So, blow your trumpet. Gently, if you must, but blow it all the same. The world needs your sound.

You’re not showing off; you’re showing up.
And someone, somewhere, is waiting to hear from you.

Till next time,
Erioluwa. 👑⚡

I don’t know who deceived us, but somewhere along the line, we started believing that the only way to prove we’re serious about our goals is to never stop moving. We treat tiredness like a trophy and wear exhaustion like an invisible badge of honour.

A: How far? You look tired.
B: Omo, I was working so I slept by 4 am and woke up by 6 am again.
C: Shebi you even slept? I never sleep since day before yesterday.

The busier we look, the more accomplished we feel. The truth? We’ve made “doing” our default, and rest feels suspicious.

I’ve been there too. That guilt that creeps in when you try to take a nap, or even when you choose to watch something without multitasking. You tell yourself, “I could be working right now,” as if sitting still for a moment is some sort of crime.

We’ve been conditioned to measure our worth by our productivity, and so slowing down feels like falling behind. But maybe the problem isn’t that we’re resting too little; maybe it’s that we’ve forgotten how to rest at all.

Rest isn’t laziness. It’s wisdom. It’s the space between notes that makes the music sound beautiful. And when you think about it, even GOD rested. Not because HE was tired. Work and rest aren’t enemies; they’re partners in progress. You can’t have one without the other.

Here’s something interesting: resting well is a skill. It doesn’t just happen. Sometimes we say we’re resting, but what we’re really doing is escaping. We close the laptop, but like 37 tabs are still actively running in our minds. We lie down but spend two hours scrolling. That’s not rest, that’s distraction. Real rest is recovery. It’s doing something that actually restores you, body, mind, and soul.

It took me a while to learn that. I used to think rest was something you earned after doing enough. “Once I finish this task, I’ll rest.” “Once I hit that goal, I’ll slow down.” But there’s always another task, another goal, another mountain.

Rest isn’t a reward; it’s a rhythm. If you wait to feel done before you rest, you’ll never stop. You’ll just burn slower until you burn out completely.

Think about it like this: even your phone, as smart as it is, needs to recharge. No one calls it lazy when it’s plugged in. You just know it won’t work if it’s not charged. Why then do we treat ourselves differently? Why do we expect to function on an empty battery and still produce our best?

When you rest, you’re not wasting time; you’re investing it. You’re giving yourself room to breathe, to think, to see things clearly again. Sometimes the best ideas don’t come when you’re staring at a screen; they arrive when you’re taking a walk, washing dishes, or just sitting quietly doing nothing.

Clarity often shows up after stillness. That’s not a coincidence; that’s how our brains work.

I’ve realised that planning without rest is like driving a car that never stops for fuel. It might run for a while, but eventually, it’ll stop, and not where you like.

Rest has to be part of the plan, not what happens when the plan falls apart. The most effective people I know aren’t the ones who never stop; they’re the ones who know when to pause.

Also, rest isn’t always about sleeping. Sometimes it’s solitude, sometimes it’s laughter with people you love, sometimes it’s having your friends over after service on Sunday, or a quiet meal with the love of your life. Rest looks different for everyone. The key is that it restores you, not drains you further.

The tricky part is that rest requires trust. You have to believe that things won’t crumble because you stopped for a moment. That’s what makes it hard for some of us; we secretly believe that if we take our hands off the wheel, even briefly, everything will fall apart. But maybe it’s not about losing control. Maybe rest is about learning to trust that not everything depends on you being in motion.

It’s “strange”, but I’ve found that I work better after I’ve rested. Ideas come faster, my mind feels clearer, and even my motivation feels “stronger”. It’s like rest resets the system. Without it, you’re just running on fumes, mistaking fatigue for discipline. And honestly, tired effort rarely produces brilliance.

There’s this saying I love: “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” It sounds cliché until you realise how many of us try to do exactly that. We try to love, lead, create, build, and give from emptiness. Rest refills the cup. It’s not indulgence; it’s maintenance. If you’re constantly drained, it’s not a sign you’re strong; it’s a sign you’re neglecting yourself.

So maybe it’s time to learn to rest again. To make it a habit, not an afterthought. To plan it in like you plan meetings and deadlines. Rest on purpose. Prioritise it. Because your body will eventually rest for you if you don’t choose to, and that’s never fun (take it from me).

I’ve learnt that rest also sharpens perspective. When you step away, you see things you couldn’t see when you were knee-deep in them. You realise some things weren’t as urgent as you thought, and others deserve more of your attention than you gave. Rest gives you the distance to see clearly.

Sometimes, I think rest is the most underrated productivity tool we have. You come back sharper, faster, calmer. It doesn’t slow you down; it keeps you steady.

The truth is, we’ll always have things to do. There’ll always be another goal, another deadline, another reason to keep pushing. But rest is the part of the plan that keeps you from collapsing under your own ambition. You can’t outwork your need for renewal.

So, rest. Take that nap. Step away from your desk. Breathe. Go outside. Laugh. Stretch. Sleep early. Take your time. The world will still be there when you return. And you might just find that when you come back, you’ve got more to give, not because you did more, but because you paused long enough to be whole again.

Rest isn’t what you do after work. Rest is what makes the work possible. It’s not a luxury, it’s a necessity. It’s not you being lazy, it’s you being wise. And it’s not the end of productivity, it’s a part of it.

So next time you feel guilty for slowing down, remind yourself that even machines are built to pause. Even the sun sets. Even the tides retreat before they return. You’re no less human for needing rest. You’re just proving you understand rhythm.

Rest like you mean it. Please, rest properly.

Till next time,
Erioluwa. 👑⚡

Why is it that saying yes feels so easy, but saying no feels like we just slapped someone across the face? It’s strange, isn’t it? “Yes” flows out like honey, smooth and effortless, but “no” gets stuck somewhere between the chest and the throat, trying to find the courage to exist.

I’ve been there. I think we’ve all been there, smiling while agreeing to something we had no business agreeing to, our brains yelling “no” on repeat while our mouths cheerfully betrayed us (with a smile on, if I might add). 😂

For some reason, many of us grew up thinking “no” was a bad word. We were told to be kind, to be helpful, to always show up. And somewhere along the line, we started equating kindness with compliance. We thought being good meant being available, being nice meant being agreeable, and being helpful meant never refusing. The result? We say yes even when everything inside us is screaming for rest, silence, or space.

But here’s the truth I’ve had to learn the hard way: saying yes to everything doesn’t make you kind; it just makes you tired. And not just physically tired, but soul-tired. The kind of tired that builds up quietly until one day you find yourself resenting the very people or things you said yes to.

It took me a long time to understand that every yes comes with a cost. Time, energy, peace, focus; something gets traded each time. And if you’re not careful, you’ll end up spending your peace on things that don’t deserve it. You’ll keep saying yes to everyone else while saying no to yourself.

There’s this myth that saying no is selfish, that it means you don’t care. But in reality, saying no is often one of the kindest things you can do for yourself and others. Because when you say no for the right reasons, you’re protecting your ability to show up well when it really matters. It’s not rejection, it’s preservation. It’s how you keep your peace from leaking through the cracks of overcommitment.

A lot of people struggle with guilt every time they have to turn something down. Their brains would spiral into all the reasons they should’ve just said yes. “They’ll think you’re rude.” “You’re letting them down.” “You could’ve made time if you really tried.”

But guilt is sneaky. It tries to disguise itself as compassion. And I’ve learnt that feeling guilty doesn’t always mean you’ve done something wrong. Sometimes it just means you’ve finally done something right for yourself.

Here’s something I wish more people understood: No is a complete sentence. You don’t owe anyone a long, emotional explanation every time you decline something. I’m not saying you should be rude o, but you don’t have to dress it up with excuses or pad it with apologies. It’s okay to be polite and still be firm. It’s okay to say, “I can’t,” without adding a paragraph about why.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you should say no harshly. It’s not about being cold or defensive. It’s about learning to honour your limits with grace. There’s a huge difference between being rude and being real. The goal isn’t to build walls but to set boundaries. Because boundaries don’t push people away, they teach them how to treat you.

And honestly, the people who genuinely care about you will understand your no. They’ll respect it, even if it inconveniences them. It’s usually the ones who benefit from your lack of boundaries that make the most noise when you finally start setting them.

I’ve noticed that the more I practise saying no, the lighter life feels. At first, it’s uncomfortable. You’ll probably overthink it, replay it in your head, and wonder if you sounded too blunt. But eventually, it starts feeling natural. Empowering, even. You begin to realise that your time and peace aren’t infinite resources. You can’t say yes to everything without saying no to something else, your rest, your priorities, your sanity.

You can’t save your peace and please everyone at the same time. The sooner you accept that, the freer you’ll be.

I remember a time when I used to fill my schedule to the brim. I’d agree to every project, every favour, every meeting. I’d convince myself it was all necessary, that busyness meant progress. But deep down, I was stretching myself so thin that I couldn’t show up fully for any of it. I wasn’t being helpful; I was being scattered. My yeses were losing their meaning because I gave them away too cheaply.

Now, I think of yes as something sacred; something that should be chosen carefully. Every yes should be deliberate, not automatic. Because when you say yes without thinking, you’re not just committing your time, you’re committing your energy and attention too, and they’re all limited.

Learning to say no is like learning a new language. At first, it feels foreign, uncomfortable, even wrong. You stumble over it, soften it, apologise for it. But with time, you start speaking it fluently. You realise it doesn’t have to be dramatic. It doesn’t mean you’re unkind, uncaring, or unreliable. It just means you’re self-aware enough to know your limits.

One thing I’ve learned about peace is that it rarely coexists with constant agreement. The more you say yes to things that don’t align with your values or capacity, the more distant you grow from yourself. Peace needs boundaries to survive. Without them, it becomes people-pleasing disguised as love.

And people-pleasing is exhausting. You end up trying to manage everyone’s emotions except your own. You become hyper-aware of what others need but disconnected from what you need. You give until you’re empty, then wonder why you feel unseen or unappreciated. Saying no isn’t about closing your heart; it’s about keeping it from collapsing under too much weight.

If you’ve ever said yes and immediately regretted it, you know that sinking feeling, the one where you mentally start rewriting your week, calculating how to squeeze in something you didn’t even want to do. That’s your body reminding you that your boundaries matter. Listen to it.

The truth is, the world won’t crumble because you said no. People will adjust. Life will go on. What’s at stake isn’t the request you turned down; it’s the peace you protect by doing so.

And sometimes, saying no opens the door for someone else to step in, someone who actually has the time, energy, or passion to do it better. You’re not holding the world together. You’re one person with one life, and you deserve to live it without feeling stretched in every direction.

I’ve found that saying no with kindness is one of the most powerful skills you can have. You don’t need to apologise for choosing peace over pressure. A simple “Thank you for thinking of me, but I can’t take that on right now” works wonders. It’s polite, it’s clear, and it doesn’t invite negotiation.

It’s also okay to take your time before giving an answer. You don’t have to respond immediately. “Let me think about it and get back to you” is perfectly fine. Sometimes space gives you the clarity you need to decide whether something deserves your yes or your no.

And here’s the beauty of it: when you start saying no to things that drain you, you make space to say yes to things that feed you. You create room for peace, creativity, rest, and authenticity. You start living from intention, not obligation.

There’s strength in restraint. There’s wisdom in silence. And there’s power in protecting your space.

So if you’ve been struggling to say no lately, this is your reminder that you’re allowed to. You’re allowed to protect your time without apology. You’re allowed to prioritise your peace without guilt. You’re allowed to choose yourself without feeling selfish.

The word “no” might feel small, but it carries the weight of your boundaries, your values, and your self-respect. It’s not rejection of others; it’s a yes to yourself, your sanity, your rest, your integrity. And when you get comfortable saying it, life feels lighter, calmer, and infinitely more intentional.

You don’t have to justify your no. You just have to mean it.

Because at the end of the day, your peace is yours to protect. And not everyone deserves a yes from you.

So next time you feel that familiar pull to overcommit, pause. Breathe. Listen to what your gut is saying before your mouth rushes to agree. And if your heart whispers no, honour it.

Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t be available at all o. Rara o, mi o so be o, but I also want you to know that you can’t save your peace and please everyone at the same time. Choose peace. Always.

Till next time,
Erioluwa. 👑⚡

If someone told you there is an investment that guarantees lifelong returns, no inflation, no market crashes, no fraud, you would probably think it is a scam. But it is not. The truth is, that investment is you. I know that sounds like some aspire to perspire to maguire thing but hear me out.

See ehn, the best stock you will ever buy is yourself. The dividends come in peace of mind, better choices, sharper thinking, and opportunities that somehow just seem to “find” you.

The problem is, we often do not treat ourselves like investments. We treat ourselves like devices, running endlessly until something breaks down, then maybe, just maybe, we decide to update the system. 😒

But real growth does not happen by accident. It’s intentional, and it’s not about chasing the aesthetics of “self-care” or buying books you never open. It’s about building knowledge, habits, and skills that compound quietly over time.

The quote above is not just about power, it is about direction. When you invest in yourself, you start governing your life, not just surviving it.

I want you to start to see knowledge as currency. Yes, money is useful; connections are powerful. But knowledge? Knowledge is the real currency. It’s the thing that keeps you from being replaced or manipulated or trapped.

The world has always been split between those who know and those who do not. It’s not arrogance; it’s just reality. Those who understand how things work make the rules. Those who do not, follow them.

And that is what the quote really means: “He who has knowledge governs he who lacks it.”

It is not a call to domination; it is a reminder that understanding gives you leverage.

Think about it. The people who thrive in any field, whether technology, art, business, or even relationships, are not necessarily the most talented. They are the most informed. They understand systems, people, and themselves. They have invested time to learn what others only guess.

Knowledge lets you see patterns where others see chaos. It gives you the calmness to act, not react. It saves you from confusion disguised as urgency. And the best part? No one can take it from you. Not a recession. Not a redundancy. Not even heartbreak. 😂💀

When we say, “invest in yourself”, most people think of books, courses, or maybe gym memberships. And yes, those count, but that is just the surface.

Self-investment is really about attention: what you feed grows.

Let’s break it down.

1. Intellectual Investment

Read. Watch. Listen. But more importantly, think.
You can spend all day consuming information and still remain unchanged. The goal is not to collect quotes for your next IG story but to build frameworks that help you navigate life.

Ask questions. Seek mentors. Learn to connect dots between what you know and what you do. Because in a noisy world, the ability to think clearly is a superpower.

Curiosity does not just make you smarter; it keeps you alive.

2. Emotional and Mental Investment

This one is harder because it is quieter. You cannot show it off in an Instagram story.
It looks like therapy, journalling, forgiveness, or learning to pause before reacting.

Emotional intelligence will take you further than raw intelligence ever will. Knowing how to sit with discomfort, how to self-regulate, how to recognise when your thoughts are lying to you, those are all part of the investment.

I used to think rest was laziness. Now I see it is maintenance. Your mind is like software; it needs updates, not endless running.

3. Physical Investment

The body is the vehicle of everything else. If it breaks down, the rest follows. You do not need a six-pack (though, if you have one, good for you). You just need energy that lasts, discipline that sticks, and health that does not collapse when life gets busy.

Eat well. Sleep properly. Move your body. When your body feels right, your thoughts are clearer, your emotions are lighter, and your goals feel less intimidating.

4. Financial and Skill-based Investment

Money is one of those topics people either obsess over or avoid entirely. But financial literacy is self-respect. You cannot build freedom if you do not understand the numbers behind it.

Learn how to budget. Learn what compound interest really means. Learn how to make your money serve you, not stress you.

Then, invest in skills, both hard and soft. Learn to design, to code, to write, to lead, to communicate. Every new skill adds another layer of value to who you are. Treat every learning expense as capital expenditure. The returns might not show immediately, but they always come.

One thing people don’t tell you about investing in yourself: it’s not flashy. There are no fireworks. No applause. Just small, quiet shifts. You start making better decisions. You stop chasing validation. You become more patient. You see through drama quicker. You waste less time.

The returns of self-investment are rarely visible, but they are always valuable.
And then, one day, you look back and realise you have become the kind of person your younger self would admire.

It’s like compound interest; tiny efforts, repeated consistently, grow into something powerful. The key word there is consistently. You don’t have to sprint. Just keep showing up. Read a few pages. Reflect for five minutes. Save a little. Move your body. Learn one new thing. Seemingly small deposits, big future.

Now, let’s flip the coin. What happens if you do not invest in yourself?

Stagnation. Frustration. Dependence.
You become a passenger in your own life, moved around by other people’s decisions, opinions, and systems. That is what it means to be governed by those who know when you do not. And it’s not just about control; it is about vulnerability. The less you know, the easier it is for someone else to define your worth, your limits, and your options.

Ignorance is expensive. Not knowing how something works does not protect you, it costs you. If you think learning is costly, try not knowing.

How to Start Investing in Yourself

Here are a few practical ways to start:

1. Pick one area to grow.
   It could be your finances, your mindset, your health, just one. Focus creates progress.

2. Create a learning budget.
   Even a small amount monthly towards books, courses, or tools that grow you is a game changer.

3. Replace fifteen minutes of scrolling with fifteen minutes of learning.
   You’ll be amazed how much that adds up by the end of the year.

4. Find a mentor or a learning community.
   Growth is faster when you are not doing it alone.

5. Track your progress, not perfection.
   Some days will feel off. That is fine. Growth is rarely linear, it is messy, but it is movement.

When you invest in yourself, you stop being at the mercy of everything else. You start making choices from understanding, not survival. You honestly don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need to keep growing intentionally.

So, read that book. Take that course. Save that money. Don’t buy shawarma. 🌝

Say no when you need to (topic for another day). Rest when you must.

You are your biggest project. Your longest relationship. Your most rewarding investment.

And trust me, when the dividends start showing, in peace, wisdom, and freedom, you will realise it was worth every bit of effort.

Till I come your way again,
Erioluwa. 👑⚡

Every year, without fail, January struts in wearing a shiny “new year, new me” badge. The calendar flips, fireworks fade, and suddenly, we all start whispering promises to ourselves: eat better, wake earlier, hit the gym, save more, love deeper, and somehow, almost magically, become new people by the 2nd of January, innit? 🌝

There is something intriguing about it, isn’t there? That clean-slate feeling. The illusion that a new date holds the power to fix what an entire year could not. But here’s the catch: if January is for planning, when exactly do we start doing?

We often treat January like it’s this sacred month where everything must begin: our routines, our diets, our side hustles, our journaling streaks. Yet most of us spend half the month still figuring out what we actually want to do. And before we know it, February arrives with a side-eye, asking, “So… how’s that new life coming along?”

Maybe January isn’t for planning after all. Maybe it’s for implementing.

Here’s the thing: starting your planning in January often feels good but rarely works well. It’s like showing up to a race when the whistle has already blown. You are still tying your shoelaces while others are halfway down the track.

By the time you’re done reflecting on last year, scrolling through endless “Goal Setting for 2026” posts, and finding the perfect new planner, it’s the third week of January. The initial motivation that fuelled your resolutions begins to fade just as you’re starting to “get serious.”

Why does that happen?

Because January, for all its hype, is not exactly the most energising month. The holidays have just ended; your bank account is whispering about December’s spending spree (what is oblee? 🌝), and everyone is crawling back into work mode, albeit almost grudgingly. 😂💀

And let’s not forget the weather. Here in Nigeria and for most parts of the world, January is cold (they say winter, we say harmattan). It’s not exactly the season of boundless inspiration. You are trying to build new habits while fighting the urge to lay in bed all day.

So yes, it’s understandable if planning feels like pushing through thick fog. You’re trying to map out your future while your brain is still rebooting from jollof rice, Christmas Hallmark movies, and that one aunt who keeps asking when you’ll get married.

I’ve seen it happen countless times. People spend the whole of January “strategising.” They download productivity apps, colour-code Notion pages, and make vision boards that could rival Pinterest itself. Then February arrives, and guess what? Nothing has actually started. The plans are beautiful, but they’re still on paper.

I’ve been there too. It’s not laziness. It’s just bad timing.

Now, imagine something different. Imagine entering January already knowing what to do, where to start, and what your first steps look like. Imagine that instead of spending January writing plans, you’re executing them.

That’s what I call the power of pre-January planning.

When you start your planning before January, say, in November or December, you give yourself a head start. Think about it: most people are still warming up in January, but if you planned ahead, you’re already in motion. You’re not searching for clarity; you’re walking in it. You’ve used the end of the year not just to celebrate but to prepare.

Starting early helps you begin the year with clarity, avoid decision fatigue, refine your goals, and build momentum early. You enter the new year already moving, not waiting for motivation.

It’s such a satisfying feeling; to close one chapter with the next already mapped out. You don’t have to know every detail, of course, but you should at least know the direction.

The truth is, preparation is underrated. Everyone talks about goals and dreams, but very few talk about timing. And timing, my friend, is everything.

So, how do you actually plan before January without feeling like you’re working during the holidays? It’s simpler than it sounds. You just need a few quiet moments and a bit of honesty with yourself.

Reflect: What Went Right, What Went Wrong

Before you can move forward, you have to look back. Not with guilt or regret, but with curiosity. Ask yourself:

• What worked this year?

• What didn’t?

• What surprised me?

• What drained me?

• What did I learn (about life, work, and myself)?

Write it down. Be brutally honest, but also kind to yourself. You’re not grading your year; you’re learning from it.

Sometimes, the best insights come from the simplest questions. Maybe you’ll realise that the goals you didn’t reach weren’t actually important to you. Or that the things you did achieve came easily because they aligned with who you are becoming.

Reflection helps you give context to your choices.

Redefine: What Actually Matters Now

After reflection comes redefinition. This is where you adjust your compass.

Our priorities change, often quietly. What mattered deeply in January might feel irrelevant by October. Maybe you’ve grown. Maybe life has shifted. That’s fine; growth demands adjustment.

So, ask:

• What’s truly important to me right now?

• What deserves my attention in the coming year?

• What can I let go of?

You can’t plan effectively for a version of yourself that no longer exists. And please, don’t set goals just because everyone else is doing it. If waking up at 4am doesn’t fit you, don’t force it. Productivity is not a personality type.

Plan around your strengths, not your insecurities. Build from what’s already working instead of reinventing yourself every January.

Set Clear and Actionable Goals

This is the fun part, the one we all secretly enjoy. But here’s where many of us go wrong: we make goals that are too grand to grasp.

“I want to be successful.” Lovely sentiment, but what does that mean?

Instead, make your goals clear and measurable. Replace “be successful” with “launch my website by March” or “read one book each month.”

Small goals give you direction; big ones give you vision. You need both.

And while you’re at it, set systems that make those goals easier. If your goal is to write more, create a writing routine. If you want to save, automate your transfers. Make the process frictionless.

Set SMART goals.

• S - Specific

• M - Measurable

• A - Achievable

• R - Relevant

• T - Time-bound

Hit the “Reset” button

Finally, reset. Clear the clutter, mentally and physically. You can’t plan effectively in chaos. Tidy your workspace, clean your digital folders, and unsubscribe from emails that add nothing but noise. These things look small, but they help in the long run.

Also, review your finances. Tie up loose ends. It’s not about perfection; it’s about peace of mind. And most importantly, rest. You can’t start a new year burnt out from the old one. Rest is part of preparation too.

Use December to slow down and recharge. There’s something powerful about entering January not tired, but ready.

You don’t need a perfect plan to begin; you just need momentum. Remember, progress loves direction, not delay.

Imagine waking up on 1st January with your first week already outlined. You’re not scrambling to create a vision board; you’re executing the vision you made weeks ago. You know what to focus on, and that confidence fuels consistency.

It’s a beautiful feeling. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.

There’s something about starting early that I’ve noticed: it compounds.

Just like interest in a bank account, small early efforts multiply over time. By the time others are still setting goals, you’ve already made measurable progress. It’s a quiet advantage, but it shows. Someone starting in July something you’ve been consistent with since the beginning of the year can’t ideally have the same results you do.

Now, it’s not about being ahead of everyone else; it’s about being aligned with yourself.

We’ve all been conditioned to see 1st January as the official start line. But the truth is, there’s nothing magical about that date. The calendar only matters because we give it meaning.

If you think about it, every new day offers the same opportunity for a fresh start. The difference is whether you’re ready for it or not.

So, don’t wait for the calendar to change before you do. Start now! Today, this week, this moment. Reflect, redefine, refocus, and reset. Let January meet you prepared, not surprised.

The truth is the new year doesn’t truly begin when we all shout “Happy New Year”; it begins the moment you decide to prepare for it.

Thank you for reading this far, and I hope you’ve learnt something. Start planning your 2026 from now. Plan for all aspects of your life. Your future self will be grateful to you.

I’m rooting for you! 🚀

Till I come your way again,
Erioluwa. 👑⚡

I should’ve written this on my birthday, but life lifed. Let’s even pretend I had a plan for my birthday (outside prayers, movies, food, and sleep), but still, life just happened.

My birthday came and went, and I was in the trenches (of finishing my undergraduate project). My brain has officially been on loan to the Faculty of Computing for some months now, but I’m back, I hope. 😂

But, I’m here now, 6 days later, and that’s what matters, àbí? So, happy birthday to me! Again! 😎 (It’s my birthday till I say otherwise). 🌝

First things first, I am incredibly grateful for another year. I don’t even know how we got here so fast. It feels surreal, to be honest. Like, I’m a whole year older? When did that happen? Was it not just yesterday I was talking about The Beginning of One? Time flies o. The same me is here talking about A Better One; continuing in the one that started already, and experiencing progress and joy on the way.

You know, there’s something about your birthday. For one day, the world sort of slows down and you see yourself not through your usual eye, but through that of the people who love you. You’re forced to pause and see yourself through their lens, not the critical, self-editing one you use every day, but through a lens of celebration, belief, and pure, unadulterated admiration. You see the person they are cheering for, the one they genuinely believe is capable of great things. It’s a perspective that cuts through your own noise and forces you to stop, put your own life in order, and maybe give yourself a pat on the back.

Suddenly, the "failures" you’ve been ruminating on just somehow shrink in the face of the victories they’ve witnessed and are reminding you about. You have a moment of stunning clarity where you realize, "Eh, maybe I’m not doing so badly after all." Maybe I’m actually that guy! ⚡👑

And that’s why I’ve started to keep records. This last birthday, I saved the voice notes, the prayers, I took screenshots of the heartfelt texts, I saved the mails (even though some people still owe me mails. 🌝). It’s honestly not about vanity; it’s about building an arsenal of truth for the days when my own lens gets foggy with doubt. On an ordinary Tuesday, when I’m feeling less than super, I can scroll back and be reminded: This is what people see when they look at you. This is who you are and what you represent to them. It really is a powerful reality check.

It’s also been a WHOLE YEAR since I started writing here! One year since I sent that first letter into the world. A year since I decided to put my writing out there. If you missed it, abeg go and read it now o! It’s still very valid. See it here:

This platform has been such a gift, a space for me to just be Erioluwa and talk about life and whatnot.

Which reminds me, I need to say a big, massive THANK YOU to every single person who reads these letters. Ah! Mo dúpẹ́ o! The fact that you open these emails, you read my sometimes-long, sometimes-scattered thoughts, you even share them with your people; it means the world to me. Seriously. You have no idea. You guys are the real MVPs. T for Tenks! ✨

My friends? Still AH-MAIZE-ING. They made sure my day was special, even if my actual birthday felt like a blur of code, presentation slides, and deadlines. Really grateful for y’all. Thank youuu!

So, here’s to being a year older, a year wiser, a year steadily doing GOD’s work, and to another year of writing and connecting with you all. Looking forward to sharing what the new year holds with y’all.

As for me, I’m going to go and enjoy the fact that my project is (almost) done and I can finally breathe. By the way, check out this song on Spotify. No need to say “thank you”, we don’t do that hia. 👋

Remember, even when life gets busy, don’t forget to look up and appreciate the people around you. And always, always celebrate yourself. You deserve it.

Also, today’s Sunday. I hope you went to church. Yes, you. 🌝

Till next time (and it might be sooner than you think),
Erioluwa. 👑⚡

P.S: OC’s already been inspired by last year’s post. Share this one too, time to inspire someone new.

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I think one reason why people don't want to admit they have off days is because they think it makes them look unserious, undisciplined, and whatnot. But it's not always so, really.

See, the truth is, life can be funny. One day, you're productive, clearing tasks like it's no man's business. The next day, it's like you're begging your body to cooperate with you to clear your 3-page to-do list.

That is what I refer to as an off day; a day when you're not feeling anything, a day where despite your best efforts, nothing is moving, and you most likely just can't help it.

It’s frustrating, and I honestly get it. You wake up with every intention to continue from where you left off yesterday, only to find an off day staring you in the face.

But here’s the thing, off days don’t have to ruin your progress. They’re normal. Everyone has them, even the people you think have it all together (yes, even that person in your mind. Y'all are human after all. 🌝).

So instead of feeling guilty about it, let’s talk about how you can navigate through an off day.

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that I'm not endorsing laziness in any way. If you're lazy, I have no words for you. (Actually, I have some words for you, read them here).

Having said that, here are some ways I’ve found helpful to overcome an off day:

1. Start “stupid” small: Don’t try to tackle your entire to-do list. Pick one tiny thing (just one) and do it. Reply to one email. Wash one dish. Write one sentence. Make one small edit to that codebase. Small wins build momentum and remind your brain that you’re still in control.

2. Change your environment: Sometimes all you need is a shift in energy. Step outside for five minutes. Move to a different room. Put on a playlist that lifts your mood. Hang around active people. A little change of scenery (physical and mental) can work wonders.

3. Move your body: I know it sounds cliche, but it works. I’m not saying go run a marathon. Just stretch, take a walk, do some pushups, or dance like nobody's watching (because honestly, nobody is). Physical movement shakes off the mental cobwebs and gets your energy flowing again.

4. Practice self-compassion: We are often too hard on ourselves anytime we have off days and it adds to the pressure, rather than relieves it. Talk to yourself like you’d talk to a friend who’s having a rough day. It’s okay to not be okay. Be kind to yourself. You’re human, not a machine.

5. Lastly, just let it run its course: Ehn o, you heard me. There are some days that no hack or trick will work, and that’s fine, really. Accept it. Rest. Reset. Watch that series, take that nap, breathe, stay off social media. Tomorrow is a new day, and you’ll come back stronger and ready to go again.

Remember, off days are part of the journey, not the end of it. Don’t let a bad day make you feel like you’re failing. You’ve got this. I’m rooting for you, always. 🚀⚡

P.S.: “A Better One” is in 3 days and I'm excited!

Till next time,
Erioluwa. 👑⚡

“Laziness doesn’t get a seat at the table of success.”

When I said you’ll see me soon, I know you most likely weren’t expecting this soon, but it is what it is. What we’re talking about today is, well it’s something.

Laziness? It’s one of those things that gets to me like nothing else. What do you mean you’re lazy?! Why are you lazy?!

The truth is, laziness isn’t just about laying around doing nothing or dragging. Laziness is a silent killer of dreams, a thief that steals opportunities right from under your nose while you’re too busy making excuses. And that’s one thing lazy people are very good at - making excuses. Oh my days!

Let’s get one thing straight: laziness is bad. Not just "I’ll do it later" bad o; I’m talking self-sabotage bad (because once again, why are you lazy?!!). Every minute you waste scrolling mindlessly, every task you postpone, every goal you half-heartedly work towards is time and potential slipping through your fingers. And for what? A temporary comfort that leaves you feeling emptier than before? Nah, we’re not doing that here.

But here’s the good news: a lazy person can change. Yes, you heard me right. I’m telling you this from a place of experience. I used to be lazy (I didn’t like stress; I still don’t), but I learnt it’s better to stress now than to stress later in life. If you look at my work rate today and ask anyone who knows me, me being lazy would seem “unbelievable” to them.

See ehn, laziness isn’t a life sentence; it’s a habit, and habits can be broken. You weren’t born lazy; you learned it somewhere along the way. And if you learned it, you can most definitely unlearn it.

Start small. Get up. Move. Do something. Anything! Just move. The version of you that gets things done? It’s still in there, waiting for you to stop hitting snooze on your own life.

Now, let’s keep it real: if you’re lazy, you can’t be in my circle. Harsh? Maybe. Necessary? Absolutely.

I know you didn’t ask me but I’m telling you nonetheless. Why? You are what you allow in your environment. If I allow lazy people near me, there’s the tendency that I’ll become lazy myself.

Energy is contagious, and I refuse to let laziness drain mine. I surround myself with doers (movers and shakers 🌝), people who wake up with purpose and chase their goals like their lives depend on it (because they actually do). If you’re content with mediocrity, if you’d rather complain than put in the work, then I’m sorry, we’re moving in different directions.

I mean, my friend runs her business while still in med school. Another friend is studying pharmacy and if you see his itinerary, you’ll be shocked (they’ve kúkú added some admin work to it for him 🌝). These are the people I move with. People who are doers, who don’t allow mediocrity and laziness drag them down.

So, what’s it going to be? Are you going to stay stuck in the cycle of "I’ll start tomorrow," or are you going to rise up, shake off the laziness, and finally go after what you want? The choice is yours. But choose wisely because time waits for no one, and potential doesn’t stick around forever.

If you want to be successful in life and you’re lazy, you’re joking my dia. Success and laziness are worlds apart, If you desire success, then you must shake off laziness. Put in the work because success requires serious hard work!

One day, I’ll come and talk about mediocrity and how it’s slowly creeping in and becoming normal but before then, I hope this jolts and fires you up as much as it fires me up. Now go get to work and remember, laziness doesn’t get a seat at the table of success. See you at the top. 🚀

Till next time,
Erioluwa. 👑⚡

It's a new month (the best month, by the way) and it just got me thinking about how the year has been so far. And then it randomly dawned on me that sometimes, we get stuck reminiscing on the past so much that we don't make progress in the present.

That's why today I'm here to say “out with the old!” The past is the past for a reason. It's gone! You can't change it. Can you learn from it? Of course. You can, and you should. But you shouldn't dwell so much on the past that it limits what you can do, what you can be!

Yes, you’ve been very successful these past seven months, but if all you do is reminisce and dwell on it, rather than planning to sustain it or even get better, you won't be as successful as you were.

Let go of that anger. Don't let past events hold you back from reaching your full potential. Don't let it mess with your head so much so that you become a lesser version of yourself.

You see where I'm going with this? I said all of that to let you know that dwelling on the past does more harm than good and that you should leave the past where it should be - past.

Leave those relationships that no longer serve you. Leave those mistakes that keep replaying in your mind like a broken record. Leave the "what ifs" and the "if onlys" behind; they’re just ghosts of a time that’s already gone, something you no longer have control over.

Instead, focus on the now. The present is where your power lies. It’s where you can take action, make decisions, and shape the future you want.

And hey, I get it. I really do. Letting go isn’t always easy. Some memories cling to us like shadows, and some lessons come with scars. But here’s the thing: you’re stronger than you think. You’ve made it this far, haven’t you? That means you’ve got what it takes to keep moving forward.

So, take a deep breath. Release what no longer belongs in your life. Make space for new opportunities, new joys, and new versions of yourself that you haven’t even met yet.

I hope you learnt one or two from this. I missed writing like this tho. I'll be back soon. Expect me!

Until then, remember: the best is still ahead of you. Don’t let the past convince you otherwise.

Happy New Month! 🚀
Erioluwa. 👑⚡

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Has it ever happened to you that things look okay one minute; then the next, something seemingly small happens and scatters everything? And you're left wondering, “Why me? Why now?”

If it's something you've experienced or can relate to, welcome.

Life is funny like that sometimes. You sort something out just for another to surface. Granted, some of these issues might be ripples of the bad choices you made in the past, but can't a man catch a break? Until a grown man is in tears?

Some of these happenings are so heavy and brazy that they have you questioning yourself, your intelligence, and even your beliefs sometimes. You're like “me?”, and you laugh, not because it's funny but because that's what you can do. It's either laughter or spiraling out of control.

This isn't meant to be long, just writing to encourage someone.

Don't give up. On some days, it'll be difficult to raise your head in pride not because you don't want to or you're being low-key, but because there's nothing to be proud about. On such days, quitting seems like a mercy. But don't. Don't quit, don't give up. Take your L, ride it out, and go again.

Not giving up might sometimes mean knowing when to stop treading a particular path and it's not always easy because you might've been on it for a while (5, 6, or even 7 years) but it's not working. Take a break, re-strategize, and find another part. Ọ̀nà kan kọ́ ló lọ s’ọ́jà.

I know all these things might sound like “aspire to maguire” kind of thing, but it is what it is. Put yourself first. If need be, take a break from what you usually do. Let people talk, let them gossip, na them sabi because in the end, it's your life, not theirs.

Never keep going on a path you know has no success just because of what people will say. The same people whose opinions you're desperate to keep are the same people that'll badmouth you when things don't work out on that path.

Public Service Announcement: Be kind to people. You don't know what people are going through. That someone's smiling and laughing doesn't mean everything's okay. “That everyone's smiling outside doesn't let us know who's going home to sleep on a mat”.

Also, never judge people especially if you've never been in their shoes. It's easy to cast aspersions from the high ground. Your “it can never be me” or “I can never do that” fit be you in the nearest future.

Conclusively, there are lessons to be learnt in life. Some you learn early, others you learn in pain and tears. In all, the next time it seems like things are falling apart, take a step back, reevaluate, pick up the pieces, and rebuild. Nobody said it was going to be easy, but it is doable.

I’m rooting for you.

Till next time,
Erioluwa. 👑⚡

Yep, tis I. Currently don’t have a title for this so if you’re reading it, it means I found a title already (most likely). What I want to talk about today is somewhat “sensitive”, hence the lack of a title that encapsulates what I want to bring before thee this day.

I was discussing with my friend a few weeks ago (abi days de ni) and somehow, we got talking about “talking”. Not just talking; but talking too much. How’d we get there? I think we were talking about the crazy UK japa wave of 2023/2024 and how you’d see someone on Monday only to hear on Wednesday/Thursday that the said person don japa.

Quite a number of people were travelling out of the country at that time, and they kept their plans “secret” until it was actualized. We talked about how they most likely believed that telling people would ruin their plans, and we somehow moved from discussing that to people that talk too much.

And in a way, it does make sense. There are some people who just don’t know how to or when to be quiet. Cho cho cho every time. Na only you? Don’t get me wrong. It’s not a bad thing to be expressive, but c’mon, there should be a point where you’ll draw the line.

On a “weird” but relatable note, talking about your plans instead of doing them produces the same feeling as actually doing them. There’s a term for that. I’ve tried searching but I can’t find another term for it and the term in my mind isn’t what I want to put here, so let’s just call it “action-faking” – when your brain gets tricked into believing you’ve already achieved the goal just because you announced it. You feel the high, the validation, the “oh you’re doing big things!” from Auntie Nkechi, and then…piun. The motivation evaporates. Why? Because you already cashed the emotional check. You spent the reward before earning it.

Low-key, this thing is deeper than it sounds. It’s almost everywhere. You see it in the guy who’s been saying he’ll join the gym for almost a year now, but he still has no gym membership, in the lady who has talked up her business ideas everywhere but hasn’t started anything. It’s everywhere.

I’m not saying this is the case for everyone, but most times those who are loud are actually not doing anything. Meanwhile, the quiet ones? They’re dangerous. No noise. No speeches. Just results.

Why? Because words are cheap (I know a kingdom where words aren’t cheap sha o, but that’s not for today), but action is golden. Every time you spill your plans, you leak your power. How? By doing so,

• You let doubters plant seeds in your mind.

• You let envy stir drama.

• You let your own mouth convince you that “tomorrow” is enough.

But tomorrow never comes for talkers. It only comes for doers. Protect your dreams like a lion protects its cubs. No explanations. No updates. No begging for clout or pity. Just work.

And if you’re the type that can’t keep quiet? If your mouth must move before your hands do? Then ask yourself: Are you a creator or a commentator? A builder or a bard? Life rewards those who do, not those who discuss.

The world is full of noise. Be the silence that breaks it.

Drops mic.

Pics mic again.

Bottom line, don’t talk too much. Some information no suppose dey reach outside, really. Especially in today’s world where people can deduce what you didn't say from what you said, one has to be careful.

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Till next time,
Erioluwa. 👑⚡

Almost everyone has that one friend or knows that one person who’s always “fine”. Whenever you ask this person how they are, they’re always good, living life with seemingly no problems.

In fact, this person is the one always trying to cheer others up, always advising others, always available to help solve your problems. But not everything is as it seems. They pour from a cup everyone assumes is bottomless, but what happens when it runs dry?

The cross you have to bear when you’re perceived as a “strong” person is that everyone assumes you’re fine. Even when you’re not, they just assume whatever’s going on is something you can resolve as per you’ve helped them resolve their own issues countless times. It is what it is.

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Contrary to what you might think, strength is not necessarily a superpower; it’s a survival tactic. And surviving can be exhausting.

This newsletter has two sides:

1. Stop assuming your “strong” friends are always fine! Even when they claim to be, press further to find out what’s going on with them. The fact that they’re helping others with their problems doesn’t mean they don’t have theirs, it just means that they’re selfless enough to put their own problems aside to help others out and that is something that should be admired and respected, not taken advantage of or used for selfish reasons. Ask them, “How are you, really?” Sit with them in the quiet moments when their guard slips; those moments when they think no one is watching, that crack in the mask before it’s back on again. Bottom line, check on your “strong” friends today. No be every time dem go dey check on you. You sef, do the checking.

2. If you’re the “strong” friend, when people ask you what’s wrong, speak up! Stop suffering and dying in silence. One major reason why people don’t check on their seemingly “strong” friends (even though it’s still not an excuse) is because most times when “strong” people are asked what the issue is, their replies usually range from “it’s nothing” to “I’m fine”. We know you’re fine, but ogbeni soro soke jare! Learn to speak up. You think vulnerability makes you a burden? Nah. It makes you human. The world has leaned on you for answers; now, let it hold you too. Ask for help. It makes it easier for people to know how to help you. And I get that asking for help is hard (I mean, na you be everybody’s helper and saviour) but it’s necessary. Let someone else carry the weight for once. Help them help you.

Let today be the day we stop romanticizing silent suffering.

To the “strong” ones: Drop the cape. Your scars are not shameful. They’re proof you’ve fought battles worth acknowledging.

To the friends: Your “strong” friend isn’t a robot. They’re human too. They have problems and moments of weakness. Be there for them. No be every time “help me, help me”.

What to do? Simple, really:

• Text that “strong” friend now. Not tomorrow. Not “when you’re free.” Now. Ask, listen, stay.

• If you’re the “strong” one, send that risky message: “I’m not okay. Can we talk?” Let someone else help you.

Strength isn’t silence. It’s the courage to say, “I matter too.” Na today this cycle go end. Do your part. Don’t be ”strong”. Be strong.

Till next time,
Erioluwa. 👑⚡

High-functioning depression isn't a formal diagnosis, but it describes individuals who experience depressive symptoms like sadness, loss of interest, and sleep disturbances, yet manage to maintain their daily responsibilities and social interactions. Unlike clinical depression, which often leads to difficulty with daily functioning, high-functioning individuals may appear outwardly successful while struggling internally.

High-functioning depression is a term used to describe individuals who experience depressive symptoms, but are still able to maintain their daily routines, responsibilities, and social interactions. They may appear to be functioning normally, but internally, they're struggling with feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and emotional pain.

Smiling depression is a more colloquial term that refers to the same concept. It's called "smiling" depression because individuals with this condition often put on a mask of happiness, hiding their true emotions behind a smile.

Characteristics

• Depressive symptoms, such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and feelings of emptiness.

• Ability to maintain daily routines and responsibilities.

• Appearance of being "fine" or "normal" to others.

• Internal struggle with emotions and feelings of being overwhelmed.

Recognizing high-functioning depression or smiling depression is crucial, as it can help individuals receive proper support and treatment.

It's essential to remember that depression can manifest differently in different people, and just because someone appears to be functioning normally, it doesn't mean they're not struggling internally.

I mean, you see someone today, they’re doing fine and all; only to hear that something-something happened later on, and you’re baffled, wondering how that person went from 100 to 0.

There are a lot of people out there with high-functioning depression, but they just don’t know it. If this is you, please seek help. Please, speak up. Talk to people you trust.

If you know someone who has high-functioning depression, help them. Don’t stigmatize them. It’s hard enough to get people to go to therapy or to seek help as it is without the fear of being stigmatized.

That’s all for now, I believe. I hope you got my message tho.

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Till next time,
Erioluwa. 👑⚡