(Sometimes you need to rub your shoulders, hug yourself and assure yourself that you would be alright) This is for the over-thinker, and unrepentant go-getter—and just about any other person. On some days, we get so involved chasing goals that we forget to rest or commend ourselves for the distance we have come. The year has been a wild one. I’m certain most did not expect most of the events that went down in the course of the year. For some, 2020 was supposed to be  the year . The year to get things in order. The year to realign life. The year to effect certain changes and hit some milestones. Yes, these and many more were the expectations for this year. Most of us would have kicked off the year with goals well mapped and thought out, and hopes of where the days would take us. Unfortunately, the year doesn’t seem to have lived up to the initial expectations. Plans got derailed—inevitably—while come came to a stop altogether. That has been 2020. As the year slowly winds t...

   For the longest time, the year 2020 evoked a magical feeling in most, when thought of as some year in the future. Here we are now, living in that future and I’m certain many don’t deem is as a magical year (in the good light, at least).Truly, the year has been a lot, even as we are barely past the first half, with each month come along with its own dose of problems; like a series of books with different themes. Even as the seeming worst of the worst have transpired in the course of the past few months: from Kobe’s death, the pandemic and its effects, the injustices and civil protests, to the looming global recession and canceled sports leagues mid-season and major events slated for the year without foreknowledge of how sharp a turn 2020 was going to take. Regardless, the year has certainly been good to some.    In the beginning of the year, before our lifestyles were rudely altered, I’m sure most made plans and projections for the year. From use of vision ...

Hey you!! Been what now, 3 weeks since the last post? Today's post is essentially a follow up to the last but one post (find it here ). The imposed 'lockdown' is still gradually being eased and yes, I'm still talking about maintaining sanity during these times (and any time, really). This is me hoping this post meets you well. Take up a new hobby: Back in the days before the internet became a thing, hobbies (and game consoles) were useful for spending time. There certainly are days when you want to stay off most part for the internet but you are at a loss for what to do while your devices are hiding. Oh well, a hobby would be a good go-to. Crosswords, origami, paper crafts, mindful colouring, model making, I could go on and on. Trust me, there is a myriad of hobbies available for you to ease off the tension. Watch that new TV show your friends have always been screaming at you to watch: seeing that many tend to be under some form of stress during this times, thi...

Sure you might be wondering why I'm still writing about the lockdown even as our streets are beginning to be filled with people.  Well, the lockdown is not completely eased just yet (as you know). Students are still stuck indoors, some civil servants are yet to resume, hangout spots are barely operational. And, I hate to break it to you, there might just be another lockdown lurking around. As I pointed out in earlier posts , many are not used to having this manner of downtime at this time of the year, especially without planning towards it. I'm by no means a psychologist (except taking a course in environmental psychology counts) but I'm a fellow human going through the lockdown just as you. I know how unusual things are right now and how the times might be doing a number on us in different ways. I'm certain over time, most have developed coping mechanisms for different life scenarios, anchoring us when needed the most. In light of this, I have highlight...

I’m certain by now you are well acquainted with my love-hate relationship with Lagos. In previous times, my posts in this series have been based entirely on experiences and perspectives on Lagos; from traffic that has come to be synonymous with Lagos to the daily ordeals of commuting and other times, outright rants . Photo credit Of course, you are in the loop of plans to begin easing the 5 weeks long lockdown in Lagos and while many are giddying up to be out in the streets again, hustling, there are still nagging concerns in most minds including mine. Unlike other installments in this series, I just have questions today. No rants, no personal narratives, just questions. It still feels like a false reality to most, how things were normal this minute and in the next breath, we were mandated to stay indoors more often than we are used to and basically grind to a halt. Lagos is ever so busy and I’m certain in the course of the lockdown, the roads have felt much relief. You migh...

  It's no news that the lockdown has been extended and even if the lockdown isn't charting it's full course in certain cities and places, movement and activities that we've grown used to are restricted. While the isolation may not be much of a big deal for some, I'm sure it has some bored to the wits and maybe at the brink of insanity (who knows?) While the lockdown persists, I have made another list. (Remember the last one? ) Limit the amount of news you take in: social media sure has its ways of bringing enlightenment and I'm certain you have been at the receiving end of a plethora of BCs here and there. Whilst some of these might be valid, there is always room for false news. Staying in the loop with what is going on shouldn't mean wolfing down every little bit of news that swings your way (especially without making your own findings). Photo credit/unsplash Catch up on your reading list: maybe you've seen a book you fancied reading...

PC:  Lumigraphy Whilst quite a number of countries are in partial or total lockdown, it has come to my realization how life has become compulsorily simple. You find tiktok and triller videos of families or couples dancing (because what else is there to be done), parents are getting to know their kids better as most can’t leave early for work and return late while the kids sleep. For some of us, this lockdown isn’t so much of a hassle as we are homebodies but for those on the other end of the divide, they might be finding it rather difficult to adapt for just a while. Before I go on; if you are reading this and aren’t on your favourite chair indoor, GO HOME and STAY THERE. A week ago, tertiary institutions were shut for the safety of the students, many I’m sure are back home and might be finding it difficult to be home at this time of the year being that a number were either in the middle of a semester or just about to write exams and a few lucky to be on break already. You...