Journal | February '19
Every year, time seems gets away from us so quickly. But this year I am giving myself to slowing down and appreciating the PROCESS of life itself. In the spirit of doing so, I’d like to start doing a quick monthly (or quarterly) roundup of some of the small things that made me happy and lessons I learnt from them.
Before we get into it, Y'all know I just launched this blog!!! That’s #1 and it has been exciting AND scary, so I must be doing something right. I’m grateful for those who helped me take this leap, and for you - here - reading this. You are the real MVP.
Side Note: Since LoveIgho was launched in February, I'll be including some stuff from January as well.
So here we go:
Highlights of the Past Month(s)
The PASSING THROUGH Podcast
This podcast episode “Passing through Marrakesh” by the brilliant storyteller Nneka Julia looks at the dangers of unchecked egos and treating every encounter with a person as a chance to learn how to live or how not to live. If you haven’t listened to NnekaJ share her wisdom collected through her experiences with places and people, you should.
“None are so empty as those who are full of themselves”
This Blog Post on “What to do when things fall apart” by Abiola.
Sometimes I wonder about our generation and the times we’re in, and it worries me a bit. But then, on the same social media that can drive you crazy, you find certain people - God-kind of people - that help your mind slow down. Abiola’s inner circle is quickly becoming one of those accounts for me, and in this post, she uses the shipwreck that Apostle Paul experienced to explain how to respond when life spirals out of control. Really good stuff!
For example, one day last month, I was legit in full panic mode and overwhelmed by all the things that were going wrong. It was Thursday and I was nowhere near the end of my to-do-list for the week. That day I found her post captioned “Genuine #notetoself don't become a slave to "goals" & don't despise the days of humble beginnings.” Bros, my soul calmed down quickly, I poured myself a cup of water and started listening to a message on resting and reigning in life through Christ Jesus. I cannot come and go (and come and go) and kill myself.
I didn't get all the things I wanted that week but I worked in peace to finish up what NEEDED to be done. Sometimes the stress is not worth it.
LION HEART – The Movie
See ehn, you should see this movie whether you’re Nigerian or not. I’m just elated that for once a Nigerian family is NOT being portrayed as being at each other’s throats or backstabbing each other over property or money. We finally see how much progress can be made when a family knows that they’re all on the same team, and the uncle is not trying to kill everybody; plus I loved seeing our veteran actors on the “big” screen.
Shortly after it’s release at home, I heard that pirated copies were being peddled on the streets of Lagos. We will never change (ALL OF US…LOL). Despite the tumultuous love-hate relationship I have with my homeland, I will always root for the good we create and the efforts we make. Lionheart gave me a taste of home. Plus we got paid a lot of money so there’s that (Yes, it is OUR money).
RUSSIAN DOLL – Netflix Series
I’m not ashamed to say that I binge-watched the Netflix series Russian Doll in one day (also, it was only 8 episodes – approx. 25minutes each). I really, really loved it. Before I pressed play, I was sceptical because of its Groundhog Day premise, but I got invested pretty quickly. It was also a weird show to watch but so striking and so smart that you can’t help but be impressed by how carefully constructed the series is. It’s one of the best comedic dramas I’ve seen in a while.
The main character dies about 7 times before the end of episode 2, so…IDK man. I can’t say much else about what makes it awesome without giving spoilers but I will say this, Russian Doll is spunky, incredibly funny, and downright extraordinary. It was strangely comforting in a way though – once you get past all the death and dying and dying and dying... On the surface, it seems like it’s exploring what happens when we die, but as I followed the arcs, I found that its actually more about finding out the kind of people we are WHILE we’re alive.
STAY WITH ME – book by Ayobami Adebayo
I highly recommend and my thoughts on this are fully detailed in this post here.
MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING - Happy 20th!
So this is one of my favourite romance movies, and it turned 20 this year (entertainment weekly did a whole spread about it here). Plus, it was the "season of love" this past month so of course, I had to rewatch it for the 107th time. It’s got love, Julia Roberts, karaoke, a young Dermot Mulroney (the older one is also yummy), a great best friend, Cameron Diaz, and an amazing soundtrack. What more do you need, right?
I will say, watching this as an adult is a very different experience and you see things through less-rose-colored glasses. Julianne is a legit crazy and selfish person. Kimberly only crime is her naïveté. Michael deserves to be single. George is heavenly and Rupert Everett is a gem. If you saw this as a young adult, please give it a rewatch.
Lesson: People are loving and also deeply flawed, and love…love is caring, sensitive and often sacrificing. In the end, you just have to know when to let go. You can’t always get what you want.
Nike’s Ad by Serena Williams
The Grand Slam queen admonishes us (women) to continue to aspire to greatness and never relent despite the fact that we’re:
playing in an unleveled playing field.
called illogical, weak, vain, and empty when the world “grooms” us as girls to be emotional, loving, beautiful, and desired. How paradoxical, right?
So, dare to dream big and express yourself when you know you've been wronged. The Ad also begs the question, ‘who is more fragile?’ The person who is brave enough to say when something hurts, or the person who cannot apologize or admit to having caused pain. Sensitivity, empathy and compassions; these are superpowers.
Admittedly, we should be at the mercy of our emotions, but life is too short for you not to express yourself.
Finally
Right at the end of the month, Ben Platt released a new single “Grow as we go” from his upcoming album. This was a fantastic way to end February and I can’t be the only one who thinks he’s the sweetest, right? Just me? Alright, cool.
Some things I struggled with:
Missing my parents a whole lot. Not just in talking or communicating with them (because we do that often) but the actual touch of my mom’s warm cushy body and my daddy’s hug :(
Dealing with feelings of incompetence that I guess comes with growing and having to learn new skills or thought processes. Most of mine also comes from UN-learning bad habits but I know that the results will be worth it.
Minor ever-present headaches, probably from light sensitivity, which is unavoidable at this point as I now spend most of my life working in front of one screen or the other.
What are some of the things that made you happy this past month? “Little” or significant, count your blessings!!! I want to know, really.
xo,
Igho <3
Originally published here