Over 25 : Taking Stocks On 26 Things!

I turn a year older in less than a month. So, I will take part in the challenge: Things I know for sure. It’s an internet thing people write about or even vlog; they call it taking stock.
Disclaimer: These are the things I know as of today, as I write this article, based on 26 years of MY experience on this Earth. I might or might not have the same opinions in future, because inevitably, I will evolve and transform in the years, months or even days to come. So, this is my truth now. Enjoy!

  
1.      Confidence
Confidence/boldness/Shamelessness is everything. This will take you to places talent alone can never! Society appreciates and rewards audacity and boldness. So, my good sis and bro, dare to be audacious and bold. This is a continuous learning thing for me!

2.      Nigerians
Nigerians are one of my favourite people on this earth. The likes of Burna Boy, Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche, Yvonne Oriji, Mr Eazi, Efa Iwara and recently Tumi from HR (I interacted with him recently on an online interview).  Why are they my fave people? Because they are shameless people, full of audacity! They talk and walk like they truly belong. Like the world was made for them. By now you can tell, audacity and shamelessness are something I am working on, yes?

3.      Dogs, cats, and cows
Amongst all animals with four legs, cows are the most beautiful animals while dogs are the cutest. I will never understand people who love and keep cats as pets, what is the reason, sis?

4.      Love
·        Love is a choice and a verb.
·        As a single babe exploring dating in Nairobi, I will use what the good book says about guarding your heart.  Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (NIV). The Hebrew translation of guard means to keep above all keepings.”
Anyways, this might be a PTSD response but anyhow, you might learn from me!

5.      Life
As an aspiring lifeist, I recognize the fact that I have not been living my best life. By best life, I do not mean travelling to an exotic destination or sampling the bougie restaurants with ambience for days or any other activity which people on the social media may term as living the best life- normally luxurious. What I mean is that I have not been living as my authentic self, maximizing my gifts to the fullest, and I have not intentionally pursued my curiosity and interests. I can attribute this to procrastination, societal norms, and expectations which I may have conformed to, lack of self-confidence and by and large, just laziness. Unavailability of resources - time and money also might be a contributor, but from my experience, I truly believe that where there is a will there is a way.
So, this is to say, life is for the living, go forth and explore Stacy! (You can insert your name here)

6.      On Githeri
Githeri and avocado sluuurrrps so much. God’s gift to humans, to Kenyans! And if you are one of those peeps who loathe githeri, please heal, thanks.

7.      Flowers, Scented candle, and white chocolates
I grew into my ‘femineity’ the moment I was fully aware that I don’t mind being gifted flowers or buying myself a bouquet. Beautiful creations those ones. Not because of anything else but because of its beauty. We can safely say I have grown to appreciate beauty.
Scented candles and white chocolates are good gifts. Just in case you are wondering!

8.      Reading
Best distraction ever! May I also add a healthy distraction. Trust me, you will never regret using your time reading, as opposed to other unhealthy distractions you may partake in.

9.      Minimalistic Lifestyle
Background: Earlier this year I embarked on a minimalistic lifestyle. I had lots of material things in my house that I had hoarded, including, electronics, clothes, furniture and so much more. I was not using this stuff but kept it for 'just in case' moments. The just in case moments never reached for close to 3 plus years. I bumped into a minimalistic podcast which inspired me to declutter my space and move to a slightly smaller space. What the downsizing has taught me is that we can truly live a fulfilling life with so little! We don’t truly need much!

10.   On Being Contented
I believe that being content is one of the secrets of happiness.

11.   Food, Exercises and Gym
I have never been so keen on the food I consume until last year. This was inspired by one of my goals to be a fit and healthy babe. On Health and fitness, I focused on the food I consume and exercises. For the first time in my life, I registered and went to the gym. It was short-lived though. But from there henceforth, I developed the habit of exercising- yoga and home exercise. It goes without saying, exercise is so good for not only your body but also the mind, ok the mind is part of the body, lol. But it’s good for your mental health.
 
12.   On Music
Music is truly proof that God loves us. I have also been exploring more Kenyan songs and artists, and all I can say is, that mainstream media is not doing justice to the talent we have in this country. Also, thank God for digital media because it has given a platform to amazing artists eg Ethan Muziki, Anyway, hmu if you wanna listen to more Kenyan artists, I have a bomb Spotify playlist.
On Music, I am manifesting being a songwriter. Yes, I know the hullaballoo about manifestation. And I do recognize that manifestation collaborates with execution for it to work. I feel like music is a whole topic and I can write and write, so I will stop here.

13.   Ocean Waves
Best sound in the world, and that’s on period! Also, if you are suffering from insomnia, having ocean waves in the background helps you sleep – faster and deeper sleep at that. You are welcome!

14.   Enjoyment, Enthusiasm & Acceptance
This is one of the lines from the book A New Earth by Eckhart Tole. He says: ‘The modalities of awakened doing are acceptance, enjoyment, and enthusiasm. Each one represents a certain vibrational frequency of consciousness. You need to be vigilant to make sure that one of them operates whenever you are engaged in doing anything at all–from the simplest task to the most complex. If you are not in the state of either acceptance, enjoyment, or enthusiasm, look closely and you will find that you are creating suffering for yourself and others.’ Eckart Tole

15.   Panic Attack
Most terrifying thing ever!
At one time, about two years ago, I did experience a panic attack, which is an anxiety pro, according to me. I was lying on the couch in the sitting room, I remember my heart beating so fast. I had never experienced something like that. I had my phone in my right hand so I called the guy I was seeing by then, and for the first two minutes, I could not speak. In hindsight, I really don’t know why I was calling him, first things first, he was not a doctor or any medical personnel, knowing him, he would have been as clueless as I was. Anyway, words could just not come out of my mouth. He hung up because he thought it was a butt dial. I held my hand to my chest and said a silent prayer to Yahweh, telling him to just forgive my sins because I thought my day had come. I stayed on the couch for two minutes, which seemed like hours and the rate of my heartbeat reduced. From that incident, I decided that it was truly time to walk out of what was stressing the hell out of me. This leads me to my next point:

16.   It’s never that serious
Truly and honestly! This mantra helps me as an overthinker live a little, deal with situations as they come with the mentality of ‘it is what it is ' and not be too stressed about things that are out of your control. You are not God, so do not act his part. Do your part, in the best way you can, and if I may add, excellently and live the rest to Him.

17.   Knotless Braids
The invention of knotless braids is God’s gift to every black girl with afro hair.

18.   Journals
If you want to understand yourself better, journal. As a person who struggled with anxiety, journaling did quite help me with that. Journals are also good gifts if you are wondering.
Reading back your journals will also make you understand the concept of “This too shall pass.' Because what you were happy, excited, sad, or even anxious about days, months or even years ago came to pass. And you are dealing with new situations now. Journaling helped me understand that truly, nothing is permanent.

19.   Exposure is everything!
Travel, meet new people, go to concerts, read a book, join a book club, visit the museum, go hiking and suffer the following week, try seafood or snails as a delicacy or just indulge in anything that will show you that there is so much to learn, to enjoy, to love or even get annoyed with! And no, you don’t need to break a bank to experience this.

20.   Pleasant people are the best
Do you know what is attractive? A smart/brilliant person who is kind and pleasant. The world needs more pleasant people.

21.   Ed Sheeran is the Goat!
You know what, I won’t even explain, just go listen to his music, then come tell me if I am right, or I am right. Also manifesting attending an Ed Sheeran concert in this lifetime. So, help me, God.

22.   Politics - the necessary devil
For the development of this or any other country, we can not turn a blind eye to politics. Like in all other aspects of my life, I believe in doing my part. So, at the very least dear reader, please vote in this coming election, okay? Do your part.

23.   Vocally blessed Artist in Kenya
From a few concerts and listening parties that I have attended and live bands I have heard, I can confidently say that the following artists vocals are out of this world, and their voices should be national treasures – Nviiri the storyteller, bensoul, Bien-Aime, Luhyaheat, Ethan Muziki, Sage, Phy (Also petition to bring Phy back to the music scenes maan, I miss her) Keziah Charles, Nikita … The list will continue as I am still exploring.

24.   Social Media – Twitter, IG, Fb, LinkedIn
Two questions. One, why are you on social media? Two, Is it necessary? That is what has been on my mind on social media lately. I don’t have concrete answers to the two questions, so I will leave it at that.

25.   Shonda Rhimes is another goat!
A great woman that one.

26.   Writing
How many people will read till point 26? Lol, please comment if you have.
 
Thank you for reading this! Stay safe
Yours,
Stacy