HUWA

I haven't done a good job of documenting my loc journey but it's been an amazing experience. Learning to care for and style my locs myself has definitely made my life easier.
I have a sensitive scalp which made me prone to headaches and sleepless nights after trips to the hairdresser. I went to a school that forced girls to cut their hair in junior secondary school and then let us grow it out in senior secondary but imposed that we wear the same hairstyle every week. Just as my scalp was starting to recover, I'd have to take the plaits out and sit for another traumatic experience. Eventually, I cut my hair... for years.
Things got better when I started braiding my hair myself but by that time, I was going to work, staying out late, trying to build a social life. Learning a critical skill such as braiding my own hair at that stage in my life was frustrating and that process took 2 to 3 days to finish.
One day, I came across a Pinterest board of a woman who put her hair in locs... and that story changed everything for me. It took me a few hours but putting my hair in locs myself meant no more tension on my scalp, hair maintenance took less time and I saved a lot on hair care products and salon visits.
I don't know why we have discarded haircare or vilified men and women who love their hair. Self love, self-care, we must encourage this in our children. Do not encourage the colonial mindset that African hair was never meant to be cared for/pretty.

Headshots

Spent all week in my mother's sewing room. Don't ask if I can sew.

Poetry prompt: 33 degrees, no breeze, in the middle of Lagos traffic...
Write your own line👇🏾

A crazy year and I've never been one to celebrate anything. But life is way too short and way too unfair to not cherish every minute of everyday. Merry Christmas from my family, to yours🎄🎄🎄

It's our birthday! Happy Birthday to my bestest friend in the whole world. I love you to the moon and back .misinterpret

This year has got to be the worst ever. With so much happening all at once, it was difficult for me to find a moment to breathe.

I will be 27 years old in 2 days and if I've learned anything, it's to try to celebrate the little things if I can. I graduated with a Master's degree in Minerals and Materials science and have now begun my PhD in Civil Engineering with a focus on earthen materials to become a viable option for building and construction. This has been a dream of mine for a long time. To contribute to the technology of earthen homes and bring clay/mud houses back with the strength to tackle the challenges of today.

I take each day as it comes. Push myself out of bed. To make new friends, finally try to learn French 😅 and not forget the one thing that used to be a source of respite. My writing, my stories, my art.

I know it's been a while but I will be back soon, I promise.

Happy Birthday Huwa.

I was never pressured to become anyone thing. My father believed I could and should be anything I wanted.
"Failure resides in mediocrity. Stand out, be different, give to the world what they believe doesn't exist yet."
I'll try and I hope you'll see me succeed.

Goodbye Daddy.