I’ve been sleeping on myself

Reflecting on my 20s

Speaking at a youth meeting. Circa 2015. This was once my Wallpaper too.

As someone who did a lot of public speaking growing up, I still can’t wrap my finger around why I stopped.

Speak eXpress at RootHub, Uyo. Circa 2017

Sometimes I reflect on how I spent my 20s (I’m still in my 20s sha) and it genuinely feels like a blur. So I remember finishing Uni at 23, and now five years have already passed? How? Why? One moment you’re staring at a board close to the Dean of Student Affairs office in Town Campus, University of Uyo, frantically searching if your name is pasted on the list for NYSC and the next minute you’re making noise inside a bus alongside some funny guy you like named Edikan, while embarking on a 19-hour journey from Uyo to NYSC Camp in Karaye, Kano. And the next moment you’re chatting with your cool boss, Douglas, about your trip to Ado Ekiti for your Master’s convocation at Afe Babalola University. And by the way, you’re already 26 at this point.

The last day at my PPA. GGSS Minjibir, Kano. July 2019

Fast forward a few years later, you’ve changed 3 jobs, moved cities, started a business, and here you are, a month to 29, in front of your brother’s Laptop writing a newsletter to internet friends and acquaintances. Seven years prior, you were writing almost every day, published your first book, landed a few speaking gigs, fancied yourself as a public speaker, built your website from scratch, bought a podcast mic, edited and posted videos on YouTube and Facebook, posted content regularly before content creation was even a thing, and now… it seems like you’re starting all over again. Especially with writing.

How do I feel about all of this? Genuinely, I feel like I’ve been sleeping on myself for a very long time and now that I’m putting myself out there - all myself and not just some parts - I feel fired up. On some days I feel late to the party but on most days I feel energized. Like I am looking forward to something. Expectant. I feel like I can’t wait for the next thing Godwin is up to, and I feel like I’m my own fan. Like I get a front-row seat in my life and I’m just watching myself try out new stuff - or should I say old stuff that I buried or overlooked. 

It’s a weird feeling taking your best shot at life while also in the stands watching yourself do your thing. Is this what living your best life feels like? I don’t know but I do know that I’m making 20-year-old Godwin proud. I wish I lived full earlier but no regrets. It’s never too late to ‘step on it’ once you realize that life is like a freeway - obstacles, bumps, and potholes if you’re born in Nigeria - but still your freeway nonetheless.

Anyway, enough about me. What about you? If you could change one thing about the last five years of your life what would it be? If your life were a book chapter, what would this chapter of your life be called? And finally, what’s the one thing you think is holding you back from enjoying your life to the full? Feel free to reflect on these questions and if you like, you can send a reply with your answers. Or you can just tell me the answer in person tomorrow at the PopofCulture Lagos event held at BIC Garden and Boat Club, B20 Wole Olateju Crescent, Lekki Phase 1. 

This is the second event I’ll be speaking at this year and I’m going to celebrate it because it is a win. This is a fun event designed to bring together people who are curious or passionate about health, wellness, and fitness. Think of it as a fun hangout for creatives, tech people, entrepreneurs and professionals. There’ll be fun things to do like Sip and Paint, Scavenger hunt, Yoga and workout sessions, candle making, and card games, and you’ll have many food, wellness, and clothing brands on ground so you can shop till you finish your salary (not financial advice).

We’ll also have different wellness workshops and I’ll be facilitating one titled ‘Foodies Assemble: Eating your way into good health’. My workshop is for every food lover and I’ll be speaking on how eating smart can make a huge difference in your creativity, mental clarity, energy levels and overall productivity. I’ll also touch on how you can build sustainable wellness habits and integrate them into your daily routine.

My session runs from 1 PM to 2 PM and while the event is FREE, you’ll have to pay 10K to attend my session. It will mean a whole lot to me if you pay and attend my session, but if not, that’s cool. Seeing you at the event alone is a big deal, and I think it will be a great opportunity to meet you in person. Click here to register or to purchase a ticket for my session. And if you’d like to pay for someone, then send me an email or DM let’s set it up.

It’s funny how my letters always start off one way and end in a different direction. I guess that’s one of the fun things about just writing and going with the flow. And by the way, this wasn’t written just to sell you something and I’m very invested in getting your reply to the questions I asked earlier. Remember them? Don’t worry, I’ll remind you.

If you could change one thing about the last five years of your life what would it be? 

If your life were a book chapter, what would this chapter of your life be called?

And finally, what’s the one thing you think is holding you back from enjoying your life to the full?

I’d like you to reflect on these, and whether or not you send a reply, I want you to answer it. Think, introspect, and answer - preferably on paper. The best way to think is thinking on paper so ink down your answer. 

Till my next letter,

The one who asks questions,

Godwin

P.S. ICYMI, here’s the link to register for tomorrow’s hangout.