37. (Lessons from the past year)

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It’s another December 14, but let’s pretend this is not a birthday post. The past year has been one of learning, as I navigated the many hurdles life threw my way. I had to step up in several ways, taking on new responsibilities while fighting to maintain my happiness. Here are 37 life lessons I’ve learned through my most recent …

Refinding myself (Recap)

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These past months of moving through grief have led me through paths I didn’t envisage. It has reminded me that navigating grief is never a neat or linear experience. It’s been one of fighting to stay whole, seeking meaning, and being saved by community, only to almost lose myself and break my pact to grieve in a ‘healthy’ way. I …

TRIBUTE TO AN AMAZING FATHER

iyosayi14 Reflections 4 Comments

A month ago, the funeral service for my dear dad was held. I shared a heartfelt tribute in the program brochure, but even though it was three pages long, it was more of an abridged version—an attempt to put into words how incredible my dad was. I tried to reflect on memories from over three decades, but of course, words …

GRIEF ☹

iyosayi14 Reflections 2 Comments

It’s been one month today since I lost my dad. Daddy, as I always called him. The one person I know I loved and admired dearly. Losing my dad this year was definitely not on my bingo card. I mean, not with him recovering well after the first surgery last year. A month later, I still don’t fully understand what …

MUSIC REVIEW – MY TOP ALBUMS OF 2024

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2024 was a very busy year in music. Almost every big female artist dropped an album, and at some point it became overwhelming to keep up. The release rate was in overdrive—some artists broke new ground and it paid off, others stayed safe with their usual sound (which still worked), and a few, like Katy Perry, honestly need to take …

2024: Year in Review (Jehovah Jireh)

iyosayi14 Year in Review, Year in Review

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (KJV) If I had a theme song for 2024, it would be “Be Still and Know” by Cece Winans. At the start of the year, I chose “Consolidation” as the theme for the year. I began 2024 excited, knowing it would …

THE WINDING DOWN (Postgrad edition)

iyosayi14 Reflections 2 Comments

Fourteen years after my first degree I have bagged my second, and the timing feels just right. I wasn’t concerned about pursuing another degree for the first ten years, even though one of my bosses encouraged me to. My banking career was thriving, promotions came without needing further qualifications, and I wasn’t ready to explore other career paths. In 2020, …

ANOTHER THING I DISLIKE ABOUT BIRTHDAYS

iyosayi14 Reflections 3 Comments

Another December 14 has come and gone again. Birthdays have never been my favourite. There’s something about the attention – (numerous phone calls and messages) that wears me down, added to the yearly reminder that I am getting older. With each passing birthday, the age gets scarier, and it feels like time is passing by too quickly, especially as the …

2024 so far…

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After living in this country for a year and six months, I feel settled, which almost made me forget what this current life phase is about. It is one I long called ‘my eyes are watching God’. It’s funny that I forgot because I do not waste the opportunity to tell people how suffering huge financial losses led me to …