Adulting- managing work, life and everything in between

Hey, people!

How are you? I can’t believe it’s already been over a week since my last post! How has the week been for you? Did you crush your goals for the week? Good for you!!! Or are you like me, barely managing to get through each day? Don’t be discouraged, we’ll try again next week and give it our very best. Hopefully, we'll have something to smile about at the end. 😊

For me, this week has been all shades of stress- physically, emotionally, financially, and psychologically. I had high hopes of accomplishing everything on my to-do list each day, but by the end of the week, I had loads of carry-overs, and I started to feel the weight of it all.

I couldn’t push out my blog post on Tuesday, and that made me feel guilty. I couldn’t attend my classes on schedule (though I wasn’t exactly heartbroken about that—ha-ha). I now have a pile of tasks on my desk that must be done by the weekend so I can start next week with a clean slate. I also missed spending extra time in my devotions. I barely managed to read the chapter for the day each morning, telling myself I’d do better tomorrow... but, of course, that never happened! This is your cue to stop procrastinating, it just robs you of all the benefits!

On accomplishments, after almost a month of categorizing, I’m officially through the toughest part! It felt like a marathon, but I’m standing tall at the finish line—kind of. There’s still a lot to be done, but I’m celebrating this milestone! Here's your glass, feel free to join me! Anyone else feel like throwing a mini party when you finally finish a task that’s been dragging on forever? Share your ‘I did it!’ moments with me—I’d love to celebrate with you!"

Also, I hardly spent any time on social media this week. And when I did, I found myself being super selective about what I was consuming. I’d ask myself, “Is this how I want to spend my break?” and quickly move on to something else. It felt good to make those quick decisions and move forward without lingering too long. By the way, while I was scrolling, I saw that Alma Asinobi is #ChasingContinents for the Guinness World Records. I’m so excited for her! Have you heard? If not, check out the full story [here].

I’m learning new things about myself every day, and this makes me feel good. Things that used to upset me deeply now just leave me thinking, “How can I do better or be better?” For example, I made a huge mistake this week—I forgot to cancel a membership for an association, and they charged me a whole year’s worth of dues—no refunds. The hit it took on my finances left a sour taste in my mouth, but here’s the thing: I’m going to use that membership for a certification course this year. That membership fee is now going to work for me! The old me would’ve stayed salty about it for a long time, but I just didn’t have the energy to stay mad. I figured out a solution and moved on. Next! 😂

I got some news today that didn’t turn out as expected. It didn’t faze me. I just accepted it, shrugged, and moved on. Would it affect me? Maybe. But will I let it ruin my life? Definitely not. We move!

So, here’s the question: Is it because I’m getting older (I’ve got some white strands of hair now 😂🤣😎), or is it because I’ve finally let Jesus take the wheel? I’m hoping it’s the latter, because I love this stress-free life I’m embracing!

Oh, and guess what I tried this week? Mushrooms! 😱 😱 😱 

Courtesy: Adobe Express

I’ve never been a fan of mushrooms. Let’s blame it on the folklore (Inale) my mom told me as a kid. Most Idoma children must have heard the story about Inale, and when Keke Bongos produced a movie with Jeta Amata, it was a proud moment. I used to make mushroom stir-fry for my sister without tasting it myself. I couldn’t bring myself to try it. Then my mom told me to fry them dry, and I gave it a shot. But here I am, eating mushrooms like it's no big deal! Now? I think I can actually eat them—if they’re fried really dry. They taste amazing! Never say never, my friend.

Happy International Women's Day 2025! This year, the theme for IWD is "Accelerate Action", and I can't help but reflect on my own journey. As challenging as it has been, I am reminded of the need to keep pushing forward, even when I feel I'm not making progress. The big question is - How do I accelerate action? This is daunting, especially when you don't feel like you're making any impact. Sometimes, we feel like we’re not where we want to be, but every little bit of action counts. No matter whether it's in our personal growth, career, or how we support each other, Accelerating Action is about moving forward, moving forward, learning from our mistakes, and building momentum. And guess what? It’s okay if some days feel harder than others. Be kind to yourself when you need to, and push when you can. That's the secret! Keep pushing!

It’s incredible to see so many women—and people in general—taking action to build a better future, whether it's advocating for equality, supporting each other, or creating positive change. In Nigeria, it is Senator Natasha standing up for herself (and other women). If you haven’t already, I encourage you to think about what action you can accelerate in your own life or community. Every effort, no matter how small, is part of a bigger wave of change. Start!

Back to the weight of carryover tasks—sometimes, it’s so easy to get overwhelmed. But I’m taking it one task at a time. Some days, you’ve got the wind under your sails, and other days, there’s no sail at all. And that’s totally okay! Be kind to yourself when you're not at your best and push yourself when you need to.

I literally dragged myself to write this blog post (thank you for reading this far!) even when my body was begging for rest and a cup of hot chocolate. What I’m trying to say is: Do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and when you can’t it’s okay. Don’t just laze around—be productive when you can. And when your body says “Enough,” be kind to it!

What about you? How do you handle stressful things, or weeks, especially when the list of things to do is endless?  Or share how you made peace with an annoying situation. Please join the conversation below and let me know how you tackle stressful times and remain productive. I'm sure we can all learn from your tips.

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6

Before I wrap up, I want you to know: You matter. You are valued. You are enough. And you are loved beyond measure.

Love, light, and warmth always. 

Forever,

Emaleecious!

P.S- I enjoyed listening to Adura by Paul Tomisin this week. Enjoy.