It's been a LONG time since I wrote on this blog and I almost didn't come back. What made me come back to blogging is a few things. I wanted to share my experiences and journey with people and continue to take you along on my journey as I grow as a better woman and entrepreneur. It will be less about fashion and more about my experiences. I honestly don't shop as much as I used to as I am now focusing on paying off debt (student loans), building businesses, and growing in my career. I will post my occasional outfit post, though so don't fret. ..okay I lied. I do shop but mainly at COS during the sale season. not many unplanned purchases. Can I ever stop shopping? sigh.
8 MONTH UPDATE
1. I was in a rut. I am always trying to be jovial through the storms but I honestly was upset about my career goals and where I was going. on my 30th birthday I cried my eyes out because I felt I spent my life doing degrees and following my parents dreams only to be looking for a job with two honors degrees, and every door shut in my face. I absolutely HATED pharmacy. I appreciate the degrees and knowledge now as it helps me in my current role (I'll get into that later) and I met the best gift GOD could have every given me after life and my parents...my husband. I have learned more in more in life that there is not such thing of rejection but redirection!
2. I gained weight. I have gained a stone since getting married, and I admit it has been hard. But I noticed it doesn't matter. I have to love me for me no matter how much I loose or gain. A lot of people don't see it because I am tall, but my clothes don't lie, nor does my decreased stamina. But I've been making healthier choices and plan to loose that stone before children. On a side note, people who comment on peoples weight, (myself included). A person can always loose weight, but your comments shows your unhappiness. When they loose the weight you'll still be well...UNHAPPY.
3. I wanted to focus on my marriage and learn to understand myself, my husband and us together in this journey. We have taken time to list our short term and long term goals together, but most importantly what our families mission will be, and what we will instill in our kids.
To all of you that think just saying 'I DO' makes your marriage tighter than glue, you are naive. Stop believing the Instagram/social media hype. The reality is most people's first year of marriage (if you didn't already live together) is the hardest because you're learning each others rhythms. Then you have outsiders that think they can give input into your martial affairs. Keep your marriage between you and your husband. Pastors, aunties, friends and etc... don't tell them your business and don't take their advise if you did not ask for it. I literally have very FEW friends that I speak to about marriage and it's not me asking for advise it's me listening to their experiences and sharing mine. I don't disclose much to friends/associates anymore... unless their is something they can learn from my experiences.
I have also noticed the marriages where they seem to have it all together DON'T. NO ONE has it all together, every marriage has it's challenges and that's okay...it's called life. Marry the right person and you will be absolutely fine. I have an amazing husband and pray I continue to be a better wife. I'm not playing with my spiritual life anymore or my marriage. I'm about mine!
-to newly weds: I recommend reading 'The Power of a Praying Wife' or listening to it on youtube: here
-and watching the movie 'War Room'
4. I got a new job! In an industry I had no idea about in the Pharmaceutical Industry. Let's just say GOD really does know what he's doing. When you think that he has forgotten about all your praying. He hears your prayers and knows your heart. For anyone out there going through a rocky road with professional exams, job searches, and career progression. Learn from me, God got you just keep believing and using every No for fuel to get to your yes!!! I got my yes and I am very thankful.
*Also surround yourself with positive people. I had friends that would tell me to send my CV out 20-30 times a day and not give up. speaking about your issues doesn't make you look weak it is a way to seek support and advise...but again from the right people. everyone does not have your best interest at hand.
5. I had to eat a slice of humble pie. Think about it I had two degrees (chemistry and Pharmacy both honors), come from a great background, and worked hard (or so I thought)...yet I wasn't getting where I thought I deserved to be. Then I realized I don't deserve anything. I had to learn that I had to work harder, pay my dues and realize no success comes over night!
6. Last but not least I started another business venture with one of my best friends and lets say it hasn't been easy. In fact it's been VERY VERY VERY hard. Using suppliers in Nigeria is not easy, you loose money on testing samples and just when you get the right product blogger friends and associates that I thought would have my back don't. While people that I least expect to help do. Business is a tricky learning curve and boy have I been learning. But I am very happy about our mission statement for LeyeLesi and our vision as a brand. I'll be blogging about this on the blog as well. Shout out to all my friends Blogger and non-bloggers alike that have helped me. You are truly the fuel to my passion and I can not say thank you enough.
Feels good to be back!
With Love,
AG
Now Listening to: Tay - 'The Box'