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5 Great Ways To Keep Your Mind Active And Healthy In 2021

Very few people enjoy routines, as a matter of fact, humans crave freedom, spontaneity and hate being stuck with routines but no thanks to Covid-19, a lot more people have been forced into routines they wouldn’t want to be in with absolutely no idea how long they will be stuck for.

No doubt, some people no longer look forward to the next day because, you guessed right! There is nothing exciting to look forward to except the usual wake up, have breakfast, attend your Zoom meetings, have lunch, binge-watch Netflix and chill till you fall asleep.

If you fall into that category and you can feel your mental faculties going numb and exhausted from forced schedules, we understand that the mind is the seat of productivity and as such, it has to be healthy and active for it to be productive so we present to you in this article, 5 great and practicable ways to keep your mind active and healthy in 2021.

  1. ART.

Art not only unleashes the inner Leonardo Da Vinci in you but it also is a great way to keep your mind active. Art is a form of creativity and when you create, your mind comes alive and becomes actively involved in the process.

Art is an encompassing word for creativity. Art means different things to different people so you have to find the exact kind of art that appeals to you or even try out art that doesn’t appeal to you – that is the whole idea behind keeping your mind active.

Here are the various forms of art you can engage your mind:

  • Painting: Painting simply is expressing your feelings in colors. We cannot deny that sometimes, words are not enough to express your exact feelings which is where painting comes handy. With a canvas (which can either be a wall, a hard paper that can retain wetness without tearing out) and colors, which can be dry or wet, you can paint a beautiful piece. Paint your favorite scene from a movie, paint a random item in your home. Just experiment with colors and see where it ends.
  • Poetry: You don’t have to be Shakespeare before you can create poetry. All you need is a note, a pen, words and voila! Poetry is born.
  • Drawing: Just like painting, drawing also helps you represent your emotions in pictures. Drawing does not have to be limited to expressing your emotions, you can draw your spouse, your own picture, your phone, just anything at all. Drawing can also be a great way to bond with your significant other while stimulating your mind. A win-win.
  • Music: You can decide to learn to play the piano, the guitar or even learn to sing. There are a plethora of videos on YouTube on how to do that. If you already know how to play, you can stimulate your mind by trying to play unusual pieces, try playing new forms of music. If you play only Rock, try playing Blues, Funk, Reggae and others.
2. READING

Reading is one of the most affordable means to keep your mind active. There are tons of books on the internet that you can read from your device. If reading from your device isn’t your thing, there is a book somewhere on your shelf gathering dust that you have not read because you keep postponing. Pick it up and read it.

Reading fictions help you walk through the book together with the author. It helps you see thing with the eyes of the author. Your mind brings to life every word, description and actions you read in the book.
Read books that are different from your usual genres. Switch from reading motivational and inspirational books to reading biographies and historical books. Your mid will thank you for it.

3. GAMES.

There are different games you can play that can engage your mind. Board games like Chess and Scrabble are a great place to start. Card games, Computer games or even virtual games with friends can stimulate your mind. You can do a zoom virtual game where you give a word and ask them to sing any song containing that word. For example, “Empty” as a word can result in a song like “An empty street, an empty house, a hole inside my heart…” by Westlife. It is a fun game to try out.

4. VIRTUAL CONVERSATIONS.

Thanks to ClubHouse, you can have virtual mind-stimulating conversations with complete strangers in a closed room. All you need is internet and ClubHouse App on your iPhone and you can join any of the room. You can review books, talk about what is trending, play games or just have a conversation about nothing where you can just laugh and have fun.

5. WRITE.

You do not have to be a writer before you can write. You can write your opinion on the latest movie you saw on Netflix. You can write your experiences during this Covid period. You can journal each day. Writing is an exercise that keeps the mind active and healthy at no cost.

 

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5 Ways to Maintain Lifelong Friendships

When it comes to our physical and mental health, friendship may truly be the best medicine. strong social networks may lengthen survival in elderly men and women, with good friends being even more likely to increase longevity than close family members. 

“Friends are the family we choose for ourselves.”

A good friendship is indeed something to savor and protect. Yet, like any human relationship, even the closest of friendships can unravel in moments of weakness.

The closer we get to someone, the more invested we become in their emotions and behavior. We are far more likely to be reactive to our best friends. When they aren’t feeling or acting quite themselves, they can incite feelings of frustration, judgment, competitiveness, or hurt in us.

How can you avoid a falling out with someone you’ve long trusted and cared about? Start by accepting the fact that you can only change yourself. And, almost always, fixing a friendship is a matter of fixing yourself.

Think about what kind of friend you want to be as you consider these five tips for keeping your friendships strong throughout the years:

1. Be Honest

Relationships built on false build-ups or phony facades are only as good as their foundation. Superficial relationships often fizzle over time. To achieve a solid friendship, you have to be honest with each other. Being able to offer and receive feedback from someone you trust is a gift that can easily be overlooked.

Setting aside your ego and being willing to let someone know you and ask questions of you is invaluable. Friends are likely to ask the tough questions—“Why do you think you’re attracted to that person?” or, “Do you think you might be feeling jealous or hurt in this situation?” Having a friend who can tell it to you straight will help you know yourself better. Being able to reciprocate further challenges you to live with honesty, directness, and integrity.

There is no way to feel more connected to someone than to open yourself up to them. Plus, keeping an honest dialogue helps prevent you from building up cynicism and boiling over in a moment when you feel triggered.

2. Repair Misattunements

When you know someone well, you’re familiar with their strengths as well as with their weaknesses. And so, just as you know how to cheer them up, you know exactly how to tear them down. In moments of tension, we can let things slip out that are far more hurtful to our closest friends because they come from us.

No one is perfect. We are all sure to mess up at times, but when we do, we have to set pride aside and repair the situation. Being honest shouldn’t be about being cruel. Finding a balance where you can say what you think without being parental, defining, or judgmental is important for keeping a level of trust between you and a friend.

When you make a mistake, apologize for it. Make sure the friend understands that your intention is not to hurt or punish. Explain where you went wrong and what you mean by saying sorry. And don’t be afraid to be the one who reaches out; we all have either been part of, or known pairs of friends who’ve stopped speaking for months, because neither individual would come forward to admit fault. Time is precious and not worth wasting, especially when it comes to the people who make us happy.

3. Make Time and Show Appreciation

The familiarity and comfort we feel with another person can sometimes leave us crossing lines or forgetting to show gratitude. As with a spouse, partner, children, or family, we have to find time to make real contact with friends in order for the relationship to flourish. Slipping into a routine can leave us more likely to take friends for granted.

Make sure to express how you feel, and take actions that show how well you know and care for them. Generosity is the key to happiness. A good friend shows interest in who we are and what we struggle with, but it is important not to let the relationship become one-sided or to become self-centered in your focus.

Be sure to engage in acts of kindness and consideration that are focused on your friends. Do the things that they would perceive as caring. Consider their interests and passions when planning a way to say thank you.

4. Alter Your Expectations and Don’t Make Assumptions

In any relationship, we can start to impose certain expectations on others that set us up to feel hurt or disappointed. Don’t be quick to pick apart your friends. Accept that they are human and that they will make mistakes.

We may show our friendship in one way, whether through affection, favors, or gifts, but we shouldn’t necessarily expect the same from them. Don’t assume what your friends are thinking; Check it out instead. And accept that you could be wrong about their viewpoint—every individual possesses a sovereign mind and their own perceptions of the world. They may, in turn, have a very different way of expressing their feelings or showing that they care.

5. Choose Compassion Over Cynicism

A good rule of thumb when it comes to our relationships is to care more about doing what’s right than being right. When you get to know a person, you get to know their worst traits, and it’s easy to become cynical toward those negative aspects of their personality. It’s far more preferable to be compassionate. Compassion keeps us vulnerable instead of tough and guarded, or seeing the world through a negative lens.

Compassion, then, is its own reward, as it leaves us feeling good within ourselves regardless of how a friend may be behaving. Being honest and straightforward without being cynical is perhaps the most important quality of a good friend.

Why It Matters

Keeping close friends is an essential part of life that gives us meaning and fulfillment.

Holding yourself to these five standards will help you develop within yourself and expand your potential to grow meaningful friendships throughout your life. It’s no surprise that those people who are most giving of themselves are the most liked. Thus, keeping a realistic, yet compassionate outlook on the world will inherently expand your own world, attracting others along the way.

All of these characteristics are contagious: By being the kind of person you respect, you encourage others to do the same.

 

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10 Important Core Values For A Successful Relationship

Building a successful relationship takes dedication. There are untold life situations that can spring up, and test the strength and unity of your partnership. Having compatible core values will provide you with the necessary strength and camaraderie to be able to navigate through those stumbling blocks together.

Similar core beliefs are fundamental for you and your partner in order to feel safe, protected, connected, and comfortable, to name but a few.

So what are relationship values?

They are the guiding principles that dictate your behavior; your personal perspective, not only about yourself, but about others and the world. Core values are the underpinnings of how you live your life.

Be sure your relationship values have substance when discussing them with your partner. Here’re 10 important core values for a successful relationship:

1. Trust

This core value stands above all others. It is the foundation of your relationship. Without trust you basically have nothing.

Trust is integral to happy and fulfilling relationships in both our personal and professional lives. We require trust to develop over time to build successful and meaningful partnerships.

You and your partner need to trust each other with all you have. You need to feel confident that they will have your back, that you’ll have theirs, and that if there are children involved, their welfare comes above all else.

Your beloved and you can have a triumphant relationship. How? Trusting that each of you will always do the best for the greater good of the relationship. If you truly trust your partner, and they you, you are on your way to conquering any hurdle that stands in the way.

2. Loyalty

This core value is extremely important and goes hand in hand with trust. Being loyal and having a loyal partner assures that both of you are on the same team.

Loyalty is dedication; knowing that you’re devoted solely to each other. That all of the choices and decisions you make have been considered with your partner and the impact on your relationship in mind. Your commitment never wavers and your bond is unbreakable.

If both you and your honey are reliable and true to each other above everyone else, you’re on the right path. If not, it could be a warpath. Loyalty is a key core value for the health and survival of your relationship.

If you are loyal to each other, your love will thrive in the best possible way. And isn’t that the goal of every successful relationship?

3. Religion

This core value is paramount, especially if you are going to raise children together. Religion has a strong place in many people’s lives.

Despite possible difficulties, you might still decide that your partner’s different faith isn’t significant.

It may be true that religious differences might not end the relationship, but consider the effects on your children if you happen to have them? How will you raise them? Will you let them make up their own minds when they’re old enough? Or are you going to say, “The children must be raised Christian/Muslim. And that’s final!?”

Even if the couple comes to a similar conclusion, there is also the issue of extended family. If they are intricately involved in their religion—the one you were raised in—they may expect that their grandchildren should be as well, and apply undue pressure to make it happen.

If it’s important to you, make sure you discuss this core value, and that you’re both on the same page. And if you are, you’re adding another building block to your already solid partnership.

4. Family

Your dream growing up may have been to get married, have children, and extended family nearby. That’s always been a core value for you. But what happens if your partner wants no children? You’re not going to get too far. Family is a highly critical value, and one that both of you need to share.

Decide early on what your values are on family. Do you want to live near your extended family? How often do you want to visit? Do you want to have a family of your own? If so, how many? This core value, if not shared, could mean the end of your relationship.

Ultimately, your family values will be specific to you and your family unit. They represent the ways you want to live your family life, and they may have been passed down through multiple generations throughout the decades. Knowing what a family–both the nuclear family and extended family–values can help solidify bonds among family members. Family values help kids and young men and women make good choices because they have a set of beliefs to help guide them.

When you both hold this core value near and dear to your hearts, it can be very rewarding, bringing you closer together, and expanding the great thing you already have.

5. Communication

Without a doubt, this core value is crucial to the development and well-being of your relationship.

Living together as husband and wife (or any romantic partnership) can only work when there is an effective back and forth of information between the couple.

Communicating with each other will bring you closer; allow you to get to know each other as deeply as you can. If you like to keep things to yourself, believing that no one needs to know your business, not even your partner, and your partner loves to talk about every feeling, then the relationship will more than likely fail.

Maybe you’re the type of person who likes to process situations before talking about them, and your partner wants to talk about them immediately. That’s OK. As long as you both want to keep the lines of communication open, it can still work. You and your honey can decide on a time to talk about the issue/s, and resolve them. The problem arises when there is no talking at all.

Remember to also communicate the good stuff. Communicating with each other is a way to invest in your relationship. Any time you are sharing a piece of yourself and your life, your relationship will benefit, and you’ll be rewarded with increased intimacy.

6. Lifestyle

Lifestyles are important to every relationship. If you both like to do different things all the time, spending no more than a few minutes a week together, then your relationship is less likely to prosper.

I’m not saying that you have to be glued at the hip, but it’s a good idea to spend fun, quality time with each other. If you’re an outdoorsman, and your partner is a homebody, or you love to go out partying every weekend, and your partner sits in the corner counting the minutes until they can go home, then again, that could create a stumbling block.

As a couple, it’s important you do things together; that for the most part, you enjoy participating in the same activities. But even if you like chasing tornadoes, and your spouse likes taking walks in the park, your relationship can still function totally fine. Just make sure that most of your other core values are on point.

7. Honesty

This core value is critical to every relationship.

Without honesty there is no foundation for a lasting or enjoyable relationship in any context, whether that be with a family member, friend or romantic interest. Honesty is a voice for love that builds trust. Without it, even ‘I love you’ becomes a lie in itself and there’s no real security in the relationship.

The value of honesty is priceless. When you and your partner are honest with each other; when you both believe that honesty is the only way to carry on your relationship, you are saying that your union is decidedly important to you.

If you and your partner are both genuine with each other, you are elevating your alliance to the highest place. There is no guessing game for either of you; you both know where you stand, and that is the best way to grow together.

Honesty can sometimes feel awkward, especially if what you have to say is difficult, but in the long run, it’s better than concealment, which can cause irreparable damage.

If both you and your partner share this beautiful core value, your chances are good that your relationship will thrive in the best way possible.

8. Self-discipline

You may wonder what self-discipline is doing on this list. Let me explain. Let’s suppose you get up every morning at 5:00 a.m. to work out. You are disciplined about your eating habits, maintain a clean home, and delay gratification for future benefits.

You regard self-discipline as a strong virtue. But what if your partner hits the snooze button every morning? What if he doesn’t get out of bed until 9:00 a.m.? How would you feel? In a case like this, resentment could easily fester.

It’s important to share similar core values in this arena to avoid constant arguments

If you, as the self-disciplined partner, don’t care about your partner’s habits, then it could work, but there’s a strong possibility that if you’re highly self-disciplined, you will expect the same from your mate.

9. Self-improvement

If one partner is on the path of learning and self-improvement, and the other partner remains stagnant, the gap between the couple could widen.

If you are on a continual quest to become the best version of yourself, and your mate doesn’t care to go beyond the knowledge he/she acquired in high school, consider this a cause for alarm.

Whenever you learn something new, it’s natural to want to share it. And who better than with your partner? If they’re not interested, it could lead to disappointment and frustration on your part.

Learn and grow together, and you’ll be on your way to a successful relationship.

10. Finances

In order for your relationship to flourish, you must have similar thoughts and goals about how you manage your finances. If one of your core values is saving money for a rainy day, and your partner’s is to throw it away like it grows on trees, then this is going to create havoc in the most fundamental parts of your partnership.

If you or your partner are making big financial decisions without consulting the other, then this shows a total disregard for the economy of the relationship, and the relationship itself.

Your core values on finances need to be the same, or frustration is going to plague the saver and the spender.

If you don’t share the same core values on finances, it will more than likely lead to lying on the part of the partner responsible for the financial infidelity. The lying will lead to broken trust and feelings of betrayal. This is significantly difficult to repair.

Make sure that you and your honey have the same core values regarding money. This will fabricate a more solid relationship, and a future where both of you, working together, will determine your financial future, and all that that includes.

Final Thoughts

Core values are deeply held beliefs. Those beliefs dictate how you behave in your life, and with others. Having a significant other who holds those same beliefs is a wonderful complement to the relationship, and the stuff that strong unions are built upon.

Having said that, your core values may change over the course of your life. You may have one set of values when you’re twenty, and then experience situations that alter those values when you’re in your thirties, forties, and beyond. Still, whatever changes occur need to be in sync with your partner’s for your relationship’s success.

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12 Ways To Start Off Your Week The Right Way.

We’ve all had that sinking feeling on a Sunday night, when you remember it’s Monday and the weekend is over. It can be tricky trying to launch ourselves back into work-mode, but with the right motivation and mentality, you can get your week off to the perfect start. Read on for our 12 top tips:

1. Prepare on Friday

Monday is often a busy day – catching up after the weekend and preparing for another full working week. On the Friday before, make sure any work you started has been finished, meaning there will be no unfinished business to deal with when you start back on Monday.

2. Avoid looking at work emails on the weekends

Enjoy your weekends, turn your notifications off and be work-free. Looking at emails will just cause unnecessary stress which can only be dealt with in the office. Weekends are for family or ‘me’ time, so spend it doing things you enjoy – you’ll be amazed at how much of a positive impact this can have on the following week!

3. Have enough sleep

Not getting enough sleep can really have an impact on your mood and productivity levels, so it’s best you get a good amount of shut-eye. And if that means having to record one of your favourite programmes then so be it, you can catch up another time.

4. Get your body moving

This might not be for everyone, but an early morning workout is effectively an all-natural cup of coffee that can boost your energy level by 20% and release happy endorphins to get you in a good mood. Even just a quick five-minute routine will help!

5. Dress for success.

Make Mondays the day you wear your favourite outfit or your newest purchase. There’s a direct correlation between how you feel and how you present yourself, so looking good will give your confidence a lift.

6. Don’t skip breakfast

It really is the most important meal of the day. Whether it’s an on-the-go smoothie, satisfying porridge or jam on toast, get your metabolism up and running and avoid your stomach growling come 9.30am.

7. Pick your playlist

Music can instantly enhance your mood through evocative lyrics or positive associations. So, before you let the dread of Monday kick in, listen to your favourite songs or podcasts during your commute to help you set your mind in the right direction.

8. Review your week ahead

A top tip for a productive working week is to know what you’ve got on. So, first thing on a Monday morning, prioritise your tasks and make a list of things you want to achieve for the week to ensure maximum productivity.

9. Go out for lunch

Break up your day by leaving the office for lunch, you could even arrange to meet a friend or family at a restaurant or coffee shop. The change in scenery can be refreshing and can help clear your mind.

10. Make midweek plans

Get through Monday by planning something to look forward to, arrange catch-ups with friends, date nights with your partner, or family time.

11. Avoid watching the clock

It’s true what they say you know, if you watch a clock it does take longer. Avoid constantly checking the time, it will make your day drag. Keep yourself busy with activities and the day will run quicker.

12. Don’t live for the weekend

Mondays can be a drag if all you’re doing is waiting for the weekend to come around again. Make fun plans during the week to help break it up and give you something to look forward to.

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5 Things Every Woman Should Have In Her Closet

Fashion is like eating, you shouldn’t stick to the same menu. —Kenzo Takada

Over the years, fashion has evolved and from recent trends, it shows fashion is that thing that keeps and will continue to evolve as the days go by. Women no longer dress as they did in the early 2000s, which is clear proof of fashion evolution.

In the midst of these evolutions, there are 5 essential clothing pieces every woman should own in her closet.

1.  A-Line Skirts.

If you want that flattering, classy and chic look, A-Line skirts are your best bet. Not only for the comfortability they provide but also that they can be matched with anything ranging from a T-shirt to a button down shirt to a tank top.

2. Pencil Skirts

Pencil skirts can be worn as a business, formal or a casual attire. It flatters most body shapes and figures and while it gives you that ladylike look, it is so readily available in Ankara prints, suit or stretchy materials.

3. Denim Pants

You can never own too many denim pants. There is nothing as too many denims because these beautiful pants can be paired with almost anything you choose such as a blouse, shirts, jackets, plain tees. Just about anything goes with pair of denims!
They are sweet because if the versatility they offer and they are usually very comfortable and blend in perfectly.

4. Slack/ Dress Pants

There are no such things as too much denims but your wardrobe should comprise only denim pants. A pair of dress pants can add extra touch to your closet. You can wear them for formal and casual events. They’re great in black, navy blue and Grey colours.

Choose the pair that suits your body style and fits perfectly.
Always choose a style with normal size pockets that are right at the centre of your backside.

5. Non-Negotiable Black Dress.

Whether long, short, one-shoulder or with a unique detail it’s just one of those things that don’t lose style and you’ll always look put together with minimal effort! You can wear this up with a nice pair of heels and statement earrings or down with a pair of sneakers! it is designed to be functional and works in just about any occasion; cocktail parties, evening occasions and very perfect to go to work. This is why every woman needs a little black dress, multi outfits in one!

BONUS.

Plain T-shirt.

For that causal fit that isn’t too casual and can match with any accessory, plain t-shirts come into mind as it can be worn to casual hangouts. If comfort is what you seek while also looking prim and proper, a plain white T-shirt or any preferred colour worn with a pair of denim pants can never go wrong.

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11 Tips to Cultivate a Happy and Healthy Relationship

Sometimes, as we have seen in recent times, it is clear that love is enough to keep a relationship going.

This article will help you understand what is required to create and maintain a happy and healthy relationship.

1. Get back on track with communication

No relationship, romantic or other, is going to proceed without conflict. What ends up getting the relationship back on track is good communication. Communication, therefore, is the single most important factor in the health of a relationship because it represents the relationship’s ability to self-correct. But what makes for good communication? Entire books could be written on this, but for now let’s keep it simple:

  • Preemptive: Easier to be upfront because then problems can be spoken about instead of experienced.
  • Consistent: No point in communicating some of the time, or only on certain issues; it only works if it’s always happening.
  • Honesty: Good communication is a trust-building act, bringing you and the other person closer (see below). Dishonesty has the opposite effect.
2. Start with trust

A relationship must have a foundation of trust to succeed. Imagine what it would be like to have a relationship with someone you fundamentally mistrusted. Not enjoyable, right?

A lack of trust often initiates a vicious cycle. The one who is distrustful often causes the other partner to become secretive, even about things he or she does not need to hide, just to secure some privacy and control. This gives the suspicious person more to suspect.

Overall, a lack of trust or a breach of trust is one of the most difficult situations to overcome in a relationship.

3. Align on core values

Core values can be defined simply as those you cannot tolerate a partner NOT to share. Most relationships can have healthy disagreements about a wide variety of subjects, but each person has their “non-negotiable” beliefs. For some, this might be politics; for others, it might be whether to have children; between friends, it might be a matter of ethics.

Whatever your non-negotiables, it is important that your partner share them; otherwise you will constantly feel as if you are compromising on a deeply personal level.

However, keep in mind that not all beliefs are set in stone. If both people are willing to hear each other out, they might be surprised at the compromises they discover.

4. Use intimacy as a gauge

Although intimacy often stands in for sex in the psychological community, it can mean much more than that. I would define intimacy as an ability to communicate in a uniquely interpersonal level with another person, which can certainly happen between friends and family members as well as romantic partners. One subset of intimacy is sex, though, and in a romantic relationship this is one of the major readings of its health and happiness.

Sex in a relationship is similar to flossing, in that people who floss tend to live longer. It is not that flossing increases your life expectancy directly, but rather that those who tend to floss also tend to care for themselves in other ways, all of which lead to a longer life. Same thing with sex: a healthy sex life does not equal a healthy relationship, but it is an indication of many other positive things going on in addition to the benefits it bring by itself.

If your sex life is not where you’d want it to be, use it as a starting point to figure out what part of your relationship could change for the better.

5. Nurture vulnerability

One of the cherished things about being in a close relationship is that you can share things with another person that you do not share with anyone else. Simply being able to confide in someone about all the small and big things of your life is of enormous value — and the major reason why we enter into relationships in the first place.

Being able to share intimate details relies on a willingness to be vulnerable. This is a two-way street. Both you and your partner must develop an ability to be open as well as accept, nurture and respect the other’s openness. Vulnerability depends on this positive, reciprocal cycle.

6. Discuss the future: Children

Surprisingly, sharing a common past does not necessarily result in better relationships across the board. But sharing a vision of the future is essential in certain key areas: children, finances, and lifestyle. All of these are intertwined, of course, but it is important to understand your partner’s vision for each of these things.

One of the most common scenarios is a married couple who cannot agree on whether to have children. As you can imagine, both people feel very strongly about having or not having children. The heartbreaking thing is that there may be love, good communication, trust and shared values, but over time the couple cannot find a compromise for this extremely important life decision.

7. Discuss the future: Finances

At first, it is difficult to see how finances have anything to do with a relationship, but among couples and even among friends, differences in attitude toward money can create a serious rift.

Two friends who have two very different attitudes toward spending, for example, will have a hard time deciding what to do together. A couple in this situation will have a constant stressor on their hands, especially if finances become tight.

While it is not absolutely necessary to have identical attitudes toward money and spending, it is an important topic to discuss.

8. Discuss the future: Lifestyle

Lifestyle is sort of a catch-all phrase that includes aspects of life outside of children and finances that a couple will have to negotiate. This includes big things like how to spend leisure time or whether to be exclusive sexually as well as seemingly little things like diet or sleep. The point is that we all have preferences and needs, and when another person enters the picture with their own preferences and needs, we are forced to compromise.

When it comes to lifestyle, I have found in my practice that those who meet in their younger years have a harder time adjusting to their partner’s lifestyle. This is probably because our preferences and needs crystallize as we age. Couples who meet when they are older have a greater knowledge of their likes and dislikes, and tend to factor this into whether they would be compatible with each other.

9. Find a balance between dependence and independence

As mentioned in the trust section, the ability to rely on each other is a sign of strength. In fact, a relationship will stagnate without it. But as with everything, there must be a balance.

Too much dependence is just as tiring as too much independence. Without any dependence, neither partner feels as if he or she is part of a team, whereas with too much dependence, one or both partners is likely to feel overwhelmed.

In short, each member of the relationship has the responsibility to maintain a balance between relying too much on the other person and not relying on the other person at all.

10. Remember friends and family

This is an often-overlooked feature of a happy relationship because much of the beginning part of the relationship does not involve family and friends. Two people get to know each other by themselves and find they are beginning to form a strong relationship. But then comes the next stage when that person meets the other important people in their lives.

Couples tend to forget that how they fit into each other’s friends and family groups is important. As with core values, the important thing here is tolerance. Even if the person does not get along perfectly with your family and friends, is it tolerable? Can everyone basically get along?

Of course, the more seamlessly they fit into your circles the better, but this only really becomes a problem when the fit is so bad that you hesitate to bring them around.

11. Maintain commitment

In the beginning of most relationships, very little commitment is needed. Everything is rosy and you cannot imagine anything going wrong. I see many couples who are just coming down from their dating or marriage highs and are lacking one key component: a commitment to each other.

Commitment may be defined as a willingness to stay with the other person through times where it is no longer fun or easy to do so. Successful long-term relationships weather many such periods. Here are some other things to keep in mind about commitment:

  • Commitment is easier when we appreciate qualities in a person that do not change with circumstance — when we appreciate their sense of humor, for example, instead of their salary.
  • Too much commitment can be harmful. It can cause many people to stay in abusive relationship far too long. Healthy commitment is keeping a perspective on the qualities of the person that you love, whereas unhealthy commitment is elevating commitment itself above your happiness.
  • Commitment is also a two-way street: it is more sustainable to stay committed to someone who is staying committed to us.

Hopefully you have recognized each item on this list as at least a factor in your relationship. Problems are especially troublesome when you or your partner are not even aware of them.

If an item or two on the list jumps out as being problematic in your relationship(s), return to item #1: Use communication to get back on track. Communication or the relationship’s ability to self-correct is always the starting point for change.

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How to Create a Healthy Meal Plan for the Week

Meal plans are a great way to cut down waste, make shopping for food quicker and easier, and help you to stick to healthy choices. But where do you start? What makes a healthy meal plan for the week, and how do you know what to include?

Firstly, there is no healthy meal plan that works for everyone. At different stages of your life, you will need different levels of nutrients, but there are some general principles that you can follow, and then adjust as necessary.

Here’s how to create a healthy meal plan for the week.

For the vast majority of adults, these practical tips should be the backbone of your meal plan:

A range of fruits and vegetables.

  • Whole grain carbohydrates (brown rice, brown bread, millet, bulgar wheat, etc)
  • Fermented food such as kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut
  • Unsaturated fats such as extra virgin olive oil, rapeseed oil, avocados, and nuts
  • Two portions of oily fish such as salmon per week (or nuts and seeds if you don’t eat fish)
  • A handful of nuts and seeds a day
  • Aim for 30g of fiber a day
  • Eat a range of beans and pulses (such as chickpeas, kidney beans, black beans, and lentils)
  • Drink approximately 8 glasses of water a day.

Calorie Counting

A calorie is the energy required to raise the temperature of 1g water from 14.5 to 15.5°Celsius. This is calculated in a laboratory, by burning the food. However, the food is not “burnt” in our bodies, and people’s metabolism and energy expenditure vary, so it’s a very rough estimate.

The absorption and, therefore, how much energy is available for you to use, is also affected by how the food is processed. An example of this is sweet corn. If you grind it down into a powder and make a tortilla, you will absorb far more calories than if you eat whole sweet corn kernels. Instead, you will see most of the kernels untouched, in the toilet!

Another concern with calories is that instead of thinking about nutrient quality, it promotes prioritizing quantity. For example, there is a huge difference in the number of nutrients you could consume in 500 calories of fruit and vegetables, versus 500 calories of ice cream.

Also the number of calories you need varies according to so many factors, such as age, gender, lifestyle, and activity level, that it is hard to accurately predict exactly how many you need. Instead, I prefer to recommend a general principle of how to balance your plate and a reminder to eat mindfully when you are physically hungry, not because of an emotional trigger.

How to Balance Your Plate

When thinking of your healthy meal plan, for each meal your plate should contain approximately:

  • Fruit and vegetables (1/2 plate)
  • Whole grains (1/4 plate)
  • Lean protein (1/4 plate)
  • A spoon of unsaturated oil

This will help you when you think of each meal to work out what to include and approximate portion sizes.

An Example For A Day

Breakfast

  • Overnight oats, with chia seeds and milk or fortified plant based milk
  • A piece of fruit
  • Snack
  • A handful of mixed nuts

Lunch

  • Grilled tofu with a mixed salad and bulgar wheat
  • A piece of fruit
  • Snack
  • Apple slices with nut butter

Dinner

  • Chicken / tofu / salmon with miso brown rice and spring greens
  • OR vegetable curry, daal, and brown rice
  • OR stuffed aubergine with mixed vegetables and millet or quinoa
  • A piece of fruit

How to Adjust Your Meal Plan

There are certain phases when more or less nutrients are needed, so it is important to consider your changing needs.

When You’re Pregnant

During your pregnancy, you should limit oily fish to once a week, and only 2 tuna steaks or 4 medium sized cans of tuna per week, because of the risk of pollution.

You should also avoid the following food groups:

  • Raw or undercooked eggs
  • Unpasteurized cheese
  • Raw or undercooked meat
  • Homemade ice-cream with raw egg
  • Soft-serve ice cream from vans or kiosks
  • Vitamin A supplements
  • Liquorice root
  • Alcohol

When You’re Breastfeeding

While you are breastfeeding, your body needs more calcium (1250mg), selenium (70mcg), and iodine (200mcg). Ensure that you include these in your meal plan.

When Going Through Menopause

Menopause changes your long-term risk of disease, so it is important to focus on items that help support bone and heart health. The framework above already sets out a diet to support long term heart health, but for bone health aim for:

  • 1200mg calcium per day
  • High-quality protein at every meal
  • Foods rich in vitamin K
  • Foods rich in phosphorus
  • Foods rich in magnesium
  • Organizing Your Shopping

Once you have completed your healthy meal plan for the week, you can save the ingredients that you regularly need to an online shopping list, in order to make repeat ordering simpler. Some recipe books also now have a QR code so that you can easily synchronize the ingredients needed with your online shopping.

Try to eat seasonal fruit and vegetables where possible, but canned beans, frozen, dried, and freeze dried fruit make great substitutes for fresh, retaining most of the nutrients.

Final Thoughts

Creating a healthy meal plan for the week may be daunting at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’ll become a fun addition to your weekly planning, and one that will ultimately improve your overall lifestyle. Try to use the general feedback above and adapt it to your own specific needs. Enjoy looking for new and exciting recipes to include in your plan!

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#RubyGirl | “Tech Is The New Oil “- Favour Posu

Favour Posu is a penultimate law student of Olabisi Onabanjo University. She is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conclliators with a uncanny zest of problem solving.

Being an ardent believer in information as a tool of transformation, she has engaged in Public speaking and Debate to which she has won several laurels to her name. With a natural inclination to impact making, she is committed towards personal and people development

Her excellent leadership skills has been exhibited in the various positions currently held – Alumnus, Pan Africa Youth Leadership Program, President, CLASFON OOU, Co-Founder, Tech Savvy Law student, OOU, Legal Officer, NISS OOU, Secretary, The Vanguard Africa, Campus Ambassador, Mediate Guru, Secretary Omaplex Virtual Internship Alumni Network, Brand Ambassador, Legally Engaged among several others.

She shares her RUBY GIRL story with the team.

1. Let’s meet you. Who is Favour Posu?

Favour Posu hails from Badagry, Nigeria. She was born into the family of Dr and Mrs Posu. She is a penultimate law student of Olabisi Onabanjo University. She has core interests in Technology Law, Corporate Law, International Trade and Alternative Dispute Resolution. She is an outstanding law student with a grave commitment to excellence. Sequel to her passion for conflict resolution, she is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators.

Being an ardent believer in information as a tool for transformation, she has engaged in Public speaking and Debate of which she has won several laurels to her name. She is a volunteer Speaker, Mentor and Poet who impact lives through the usage of words.

Her topnotch leadership skills is palpable from the various positions held – President, Christian Law Students’ Fellowship of Nigeria, Olabisi Onabanjo University Chapter, Co-founder, Tech Savvy Law Student Club, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Legal Officer, Noble Intellect Student Society, Secretary, Omaplex Virtual Internship Alumni Network, Campus Ambassador, Mediate Guru. To that end, she is committed towards personal development and carer advancement. She is loved and helped of God from which her essence is hinged on.

2. Has Law always been your dream course? If not, what prompted you to study Law?

 As a young, bubbling and cheerful girl with good communication and persuasive skills, The word “Baby Lawyer” has always been reinforced to my person. The conviction was so strong in the minds of family and family and friends that got me thinking if the Legal Profession was really what I wanted or what my people wanted for me. Also, I felt I was also going to be good in Acting. Still in a state of dilemma, however with a strong push, I embarked on the legal sojourn. I must say I have no regrets, although the decision to study law was not absolutely self willed. I am instead grateful for the great push towards the path of destiny. With the diverse nature of the Legal Profession, I have been able to test the waters and set on a journey of carving a niche in the noble Profession.

3. How has working as an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Concillators right from your undergraduate days been?

Being an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, I recently concluded a three month internship at Ogun State Multi Door Court House where I was privileged to understudy 8 mediators and co – facilitated several mediation sessions.

4. You’re the co-founder of Tech Savvy Law Students, OOU. Why Tech Law?

Tech Law is the new oil.

5. Your most memorable moment on stage during Public speaking and Debate?

My most memorable moment during Public Speaking was when I was in JSS 3 and I had the privilege to speak on the topic “Corruption, a clog in the wheel of Progress”. The five minutes speech was characterised with utmost attention on the part of over 2,000 senior school students including Principals, Vice principals and teachers at the Assembly ground.

Upon completion of the speech, round of applauds and eyes of admiration and prayers escorted me down the stairs. I was not only able to make a name for myself. Also, I was able to make a lasting impact in the mind of the youths by preaching against the evils of corruption.

6. Tech Law is an emerging sector in the Nigerian Law practice. What is your advice to students or fresh graduates who want to choose it as a career path? What are the challenges they might face and how can they overcome them?

The world is fast evolving with the use of technology in various practise areas. It is no news that the value of technology in the 21st Century cannot be undermined as it is the tool to staying relevant in the society of today. Indeed! Technology is the new oil that has come to stay in the Legal profession.

It is important for Technology Law enthusiasts like myself to read extensively on the diverse areas of Technology Law. Find a path and carve a niche. Seek for mentors in the field. Write articles and register your visibility as a Tech Law enthusiast on social media account like LinkedIn. There are really no challenges aside the need to be consistently up on your toes and be abreast of the trends in the industry. Lastly, subscribe to Newsletters in the Tech Law Industry.

7. You are in your penultimate year. How do you balance your education with the many other activities and offices you occupy?

Sincerely it has really been by the grace and wisdom of God. However it is expedient to note my little efforts with God’s blessings. Sequel to the understanding of my identity in Christ, the passion for excellence became aggressively heightened. Hence, Excellence is not an option but a must. Core values such as Diligence, Excellence, Discipline and Resiliency are greatly valued coupled with a strong passion for personal development, people development, career advancement and impact making.

Inspiration is gotten from a long term gratification, zest for knowledge and the impacts made. I must not fail to mention the fact that God has always been my biggest motivator.

8. How has your office as the President of CLASFON OOU influenced and shapened you as a Christian Law student?

The priviledge to serve as the President of Christian Law Student Fellowship of Nigeria has been a defining phase for me. It has greatly helped in building capacity spiritually, intellectually and academically. Through the undiluted word of God, I have been guarded with wisdom for practical living with great friend from the body of Christ. Also, my service unto God has helped to instill in me similarly striking values of Christ and the legal profession. These values are Integrity, Honesty, Truthfulness, Diligence and Fairness.

9. What are the greatest challenges you’ve had to face due to the positions and offices you occupy?

One of the greatest challenges faced is People Management. In my quest to keep surmounting these challenges, I have been able to hone my communication, organisation, problem solving, critical analysis and administration skills.

10. What is your favourite quote?

“Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all other things shall be added unto you”. Matthew 6:33.

11. If you were the President of Nigeria for a day, what would you change?

Recognising Education as the milestone of a nation’s development and the foundation of society which brings economic wealth, social prosperity and political stability and considering the poor Education system of the country, I would revitalise and reform the Education system according to best international standards. A revolution in the Education sector will automatically cause a substantial improvement in other sectors such as Government, Economy and Health.

12. Mention 3 women who inspire you and why.

My mother, Mrs Abosede Posu inspires me in so many ways. Her passion for excellence has been well cultivated. Her dependence in God as the secret of her amazing display of strength is admirable. She is full of virtues and highly industrious. Watching her as a young girl performing excellently as a wife, mother, entrepreneur, teacher and friend has always rekindled the passion of greatness in me. She is indeed rare.

Bettina Shobanke is another woman that inspires me a lot. In her, I see the manifest love of God at work.

Lastly, the woman that inspires me is Esther in the Bible who is zealous about her country and through the help of God, she was used in the salvation of the children of Israel from death.

13. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

By God’s grace, I see myself pursuing my LLM post graduate program at an Ivy League School in the United States of America. By God’s grace, I should be with my help mate.

14. If you were given the opportunity to address a group of girls five years younger than you, what will be your advice to them?

I would make them understand few but sacrosanct pieces of information such as:

1. The seasons of life: These are two major seasons in the life of a man. The time to sow and reap. The law of nature whatever is sown shall be reap is applicable to human. To that end, the sowing time (Youth) is the most important as it determines what is to be harvested. Hence, the need to be diligent, resourceful and purposeful.

2. The greatest influencers: What you see, what you hear and what you read. Just like food, feeding on the right thing would enhance healthy and overall development. Hence, the need to guard your heart with all diligence for out of it flows the issue of life. Surround yourself with the right set of people, choose friends that are nourishing and destructive. A quick one! To get good friends, be a good one. Read good books, watch good movies. Flee from every appearances of evil either written or played.

3. The importance of God first as the secret to fulfilling Purpose, know God in the days of thy youth. That cannot be overemphasised.

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How To Say No When You Say Yes Too Much

Do you say yes so often that you no longer feel that your own needs are being met? Are you wondering how to say no to people?

The Importance of Saying No

When you learn the art of saying no, you begin to look at the world differently. Rather than seeing all of the things you could or should be doing (and aren’t doing), you start to look at how to say yes to what’s important.

In other words, you aren’t just reacting to what life throws at you. You seek the opportunities that move you to where you want to be.

Successful people aren’t afraid to say no. Oprah Winfrey, considered one of the most successful women in the world, confessed that it was much later in life when she learned how to say no. Even after she had become internationally famous, she felt she had to say yes to virtually everything.

Being able to say no also helps you manage your time better.

Warren Buffett views “no” as essential to his success. He said:

“The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.”

How We Are Pressured to Say Yes

It’s no wonder a lot of us find it hard to say no.

From an early age, we are conditioned to say yes. We said yes probably hundreds of times in order to graduate from high school and then get into college. We said yes to find work, to get a promotion, to find love and then yes again to stay in a relationship. We said yes to find and keep friends.

We say yes because we feel good when we help someone, because it can seem like the right thing to do, because we think that is key to success, and because the request might come from someone who is hard to resist.

And that’s not all. The pressure to say yes doesn’t just come from others. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves.

At work, we say yes because we compare ourselves to others who seem to be doing more than we are. Outside of work, we say yes because we are feeling bad that we aren’t doing enough to spend time with family or friends.

The message, no matter where we turn, is nearly always, “You really could be doing more.” The result? When people ask us for our time, we are heavily conditioned to say yes.

How Do You Say No Without Feeling Guilty?

Deciding to add the word “no” to your vocabulary is no small thing. Perhaps you already say no, but not as much as you would like. Maybe you have an instinct that if you were to learn the art of no that you could finally create more time for things you care about.

But let’s be honest, using the word “no” doesn’t come easily for many people.

3 Rules of Thumbs for Saying No

1. You Need to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Let’s face it. It is hard to say no. Setting boundaries around your time, especially you haven’t done it much in the past, will feel awkward. Your comfort zone is “yes,” so it’s time to challenge that and step outside that.

2. You Are the Controller of Your Time

When you want to learn how to say no, remember that you are the only one who understands the demands for your time. Think about it: who else knows about all of the demands in your life? No one.

Only you are at the center of all of these requests. You are the only one that understands what time you really have.

3. Saying No Means Saying Yes to Something That Matters

When we decide not to do something, it means we can say yes to something else that we may care more about. You have a unique opportunity to decide how you spend your precious time.

6 Ways to Start Saying No

Incorporating that little word “no” into your life can be transformational. Turning some things down will mean you can open doors to what really matters. Here are some essential tips to learn the art of no:

1. Check in With Your “Obligation Meter”

One of the biggest challenges to saying no is a feeling of obligation. Do you feel you have a responsibility to say yes and worry that saying no will reflect poorly on you?

Ask yourself whether you truly have the duty to say yes. Check your assumptions or beliefs about whether you carry the responsibility to say yes. Turn it around and instead ask what duty you owe to yourself.

2. Resist the Fear of Missing out (FOMO)

Do you have a fear of missing out (FOMO)? FOMO can follow us around in so many ways. At work, we volunteer our time because we fear we won’t move ahead. In our personal lives, we agree to join the crowd because of FOMO, even while we ourselves aren’t enjoying the fun.

Check in with yourself. Are you saying yes because of FOMO or because you really want to say yes? More often than not, running after fear doesn’t make us feel better.

3. Check Your Assumptions About What It Means to Say No

Do you dread the reaction you will get if you say no? Often, we say yes because we worry about how others will respond or because of the consequences. We may be afraid to disappoint others because we think we will lose their respect. We often forget how much we are disappointing ourselves along the way.

Keep in mind that saying no can be exactly what is needed to send the right message that you have limited time. In the tips below, you will see how to communicate your no in a gentle and loving way.

You might disappoint someone initially, but drawing a boundary can bring you the freedom you need so that you can give freely of yourself when you truly want to. And it will often help others have more respect for you and your boundaries, not less.

4. When the Request Comes in, Sit on It

Sometimes, when we are in the moment, we instinctively agree. The request might make sense at first. Or we typically have said yes to this request in the past.

Give yourself a little time to reflect on whether you really have the time or can do the task properly. You may decide the best option is to say no. There is no harm in giving yourself the time to decide.

5. Communicate Your “No” with Transparency and Kindness

When you are ready to tell someone no, communicate your decision clearly. The message can be open and honest  to ensure the recipient that your reasons have to do with your limited time.

Resist the temptation not to respond or communicate all. But do not feel obligated to provide a lengthy account about why you are saying no.

Clear communication with a short explanation is all that is needed. I have found it useful to tell people that I have many demands and need to be careful with how I allocate my time. I will sometimes say I really appreciate that they came to me and for them to check in again if the opportunity arises another time.

6. Consider How to Use a Modified No

If you are under pressure to say yes but want to say no, you may want to consider downgrading a “yes” to a “yes but…” as this will give you an opportunity to condition your agreement to what works best for you.

Sometimes, the condition can be to do the task, but not in the time frame that was originally requested. Or perhaps you can do part of what has been asked.

Final Thoughts

Beginning right now, you can change how you respond to requests for your time. When the request comes in, take yourself off autopilot where you might normally say yes.

Use the request as a way to draw a healthy boundary around your time. Pay particular attention to when you place certain demands on yourself.

Try it now. Say no to a friend who continues to take advantage of your goodwill. Or, draw the line with a workaholic colleague and tell them you will complete the project, but not by working all weekend. You’ll find yourself much happier.

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‘I Am Constantly Opening Doors For Women To Live Their Dreams’- Abimbola Ajala

Abimbola Ajala is a social Entrepreneur and media personality with over 5 years’ experience working in the Education and social sector. She holds her Bachelor of Arts degree from Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife Osun state and a certification in view from Lagos business school.

Abimbola launched her NGO, an organization known as Lend a hand for the development of Africa in 2016. This organization reaches children in poor families in local communities as they provide basic education and health supplies to children in a bid to reduce illiteracy and poverty.

Since then the organization has reached over Five thousand children in schools directly and indirectly across Nigeria, with her various projects and scholarships.

Her organization has been recognized as one of the emerging NGOs in the country. She was nominated for the SMEunder25 awards under the social Entrepreneurship category. She is also the recipient of the Exhale woman International award, in 2018 got awarded as one of the “Talent of the Future” and Lagos state award for humanitarian service also in 2018.

Bimbo is also  youth lead ambassador representing Nigeria, She believes strongly that love helps us reach out to our world faster. She shares her inspiring story with Esther Ijewere in this exclusive interview

Childhood Influence

Growing up was great, large family both nuclear and extended family in a building.(Laughs) However I won’t deny the many challenges associated with that time of my life, having a silver spoon and literally the spoon taken from you can make life unbearable, I believe somehow through my life’s path I learnt to pay it forward which informs what I donow. Reaching out to children in slums and giving them an opportunity to live their
dreams through education. My parents through the struggles felt it was important for
them to get us educated even if it meant selling some properties, I can’t deny how grateful I am that they took bold steps in that regard.

Inspiration behind Lend a Hand For The Development of Africa
Lend a hand for the development of Africa started from a burning desire to see that narratives change. We can’t deny the work that needs to be done in a lot of our public secondary schools and generally at the grassroots. The mindset renewal of the students, infrastructure upgrade and a whole lot. Though an undergraduate at that time I knew I could lend my voice for change, I could help renovate a library, I could get my friends to speak to students on making great career choices, I could get sanitary pads across to young girls in schools as we speak on period poverty and most importantly just like my parents did for me I could beat the odds to make a difference in the life of a child(ren). I decided I wasn’t going to waste any time and I got my friends back then in Obafemi Awolowo University to join me in visiting schools and communities to do some
of these things. Well most of these things

The Journey so far
The journey has been very interesting with different tales. Five years and counting I feel like we just started as there is so much to do. The transition from university to the Real world shook me but I am glad I kept at it. I have had moments I doubted myself and what we do at lend a hand for Africa, I have had lonely paths but the testimonies from our beneficiaries and God’s infinite grace has kept me going.

Supporting 5000 Children
Directly and indirectly we have through our project supported over Five thousand children with our various projects. The padforagirl drive hopes to get girls in schools and communities access to sanitary pads and
also good hygiene information. This platform gives girls an opportunity to interact with doctors
and counselors and share their burdens or challenges with them.( thousands of girls have benefited from this across various communities. The padforagirl drive is also a platform to advocate for better policies as regards avoiding the stigmatization that comes with menstruation.

We noticed that girls who joined our padforagirl drive in schools didn’t have to skip school during
that time of the month, they had sanitary materials and adequate information.

The scholarship scheme has helped get drop out kids and kids from poor backgrounds into school across various levels( primary, secondary and university) recently one of our girls completed her Nd program at the Polytechnic Ibadan and is moving to another phase of her academic pursuit. We also have a young boy we enrolled in a football academy in Lagos, we saw his interest and we decided to give him a platform to shine.

The food drive has been a huge part of our work. We noticed children were skipping classes and school out of hunger and we introduced a feeding plan. However last year we had to increase our capacity here by getting families food during the very crucial lockdown. The number of malnourished kids is on the rise and poverty is a huge reason for this, the food drive helps families thrive monthly and helps children stay nourished.

My Recognition Awards and it’s Impact

All the awards I find important as it’s a reason to do more and also show I am being recognized, I do not take that lightly. However the Lagos state award from the Ministry or Youth came as a huge surprise as I didn’t think we were noticed but kept doing our bit. That triggered something for me.

Representing Nigeria as a Youth Leader
My role as a youth lead ambassador in 2020 gives me an avenue to share authentic Nigeria stories with the world with what I do. I had to also organize with other ambassadors to amplify the work we do as social entrepreneurs and work on solutions that would enable us see sustainable changes in certain areas. Policy implementation was Drawn to help youth engage better in communities. This year I became peer advisor for USAID and Youthlead also and I realized how a lot of people opened the doors for me at various points in my life. As a peer advisor I am opening the doors for other ambassadors this year to use their voice on a global stage. Not get caught up in “we are young syndrome” but give their work their utmost best, I will be mentoring
changemakers from different part of the world and I feel very blessed to do that.

Challenges of my Work
The challenges of the work I do vary from time to time, but I am learning to work through those challenges. Sometimes it’s handling new government policies, other times it’s Funding, sometimes it’s inadequate and skilled volunteers to work on a project. The key for me is to learn how to make things work through the seemingly different season and that has made me somewhat very innovative.

Women who Inspire me and why
I have been inspired by various women and this question seems slightly difficult but for the sake of the question asked I’d say: My mum_ Mrs. Atinuke Akinsanya who showed me through her lifestyle what it means to truly be passionate about helping someone who might not be able to repay you and truly caring for others. Michelle Obama I remember writing about her in business school, so much to say but I will leave it this way, she showed that an “exalted” position can be used to truly impact lives. Mrs. Ibukun Awosika is phenomenal. I love listening to her talk about various aspects of life and how she creates a balance through life issues. Her career path energies me to be more and do more.

Being a Woman of Rubies

What makes me a woman of rubies_hmmmm (smiles) the fact that I am constantly becoming, and creating opportunities for families at various point in my life to move out of intergenerational poverty and illiteracy. I am constantly opening doors for women to live their dreams makes me a woman of rubies.

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