Tag Archives: encouragement

The Little Things Are Still Big

PERSONAL DIARIES, motivation, , , , , , , , ,

Sometimes, when I think about the little things, I do not try to think about how long it took them to happen but how meaningfully well they’ve helped shape my life and build my hope, resilience and resolve to believe fiercely in myself and the ability of life to give me something beyond pains and setbacks. Sometimes, when we think something is too small, it’s not that those things are really too small, it’s because we are so close-minded to see the depth and abilities in small things. I mean, if they are that small, how then were we able to see them?

Sometimes, when we think something is too small, it’s not that those things are really too small, it’s because we are so close-minded to see the depth and abilities in small things Click To Tweet

These feels like crap already but it’s not! I could hear a part of me saying girl, save the parables, witting sayings and quotable quotes but at least, y’all know those words are always mine. Moreover, I’ve come to a place of comfort with and in myself where I accept that I am deep and everything I’ve been through in life beyond the natural depth deposited in me by God has helped shape me to become deeper and that’s not overrated, neither is it problematic, it’s who I am, it’s who I’ll always be and it’s a blessing to make words that goes way beyond the surface to make meanings.

What’s the point of this post?

Towards the end of last year, specifically the last day of the year, I realized that I spoke or wrote little about how much 2018 was for me. Maybe I didn’t because it felt like some sort of tradition everyone engaged in on the blog or probably because I was trying not to meditate on the past but then I realized whatever the reasons may be, it’s a great disservice to the old year not to talk about how encouraging it was for me. This is not a post doing 2018 in retrospect; this is just a post aimed at letting you understand that the little things, those seemingly insignificant things still go a long way.

Last year, I almost shut the door finally on blogging. I was in this space where I was tired of basically repeating the same story to the readers. I had a crazy relapse in early 2017 that obviously took the whole of that year and 2018 to work through. Even though I tried being intentional about the blog by leaving the free domain and migrating to .com, I was still unable to meet my set goals for the blog. As disappointment would have it, there was more discouragement waiting for me as I had a chat with someone and in the process of the chat, I heard something that didn’t sound so much of a compliment about me based on a particular series I ran on the blog and couldn’t finish. It really broke me and I said to myself, “I’m gonna do this” but I still couldn’t anyway, so, I gave up on the blog.

I told myself, I was gonna plan other things that doesn’t include my blog but while the year ran out, I found encouragement in two little things –  things that inspired me to start anew, things that said even though I didn’t do so well, I wasn’t doing bad. Even though I wasn’t touching the blog, people were still visiting.  .  .

Sometimes in December, I was going through a bout of depression and someone left me a comment on Instagram thanking me for a post I did on a very old song and how that particular post didn’t only returned his long lost love (song) back to him but also gave him the lyrics. It made me feel great. Of course, that was not the first time I was getting comments concerning that post, but it was timely – the joy that a post of almost three years still got people visiting the blog felt new and somewhere deep within me, I was like, it’s time to bring back more of these old songs. 

Then, the biggest little thing happened when I got notifications via WordPress and Gmail that a particular post of mine was referenced in a November 11 post here. Apparently, I got the message late but then, in a world where people give little to no shit about giving credits when due, it made me really feel great and the weirdest thing about this particular one was that I only did the post without so much expectation for it – like I did almost all of my posts and writings. 

At the end of the day, I found myself being grateful for those two little things cos I was certain, I probably would have let go of this platform without them. I hate being inconsistent but then, people can only do so little of understanding even when they know the details surrounding it. 

This year, I’ll also not be making any promises but I can bet you, it’s filled with surprises. I’ll be starting where I left off and I’ll be creating new beginnings.  Thanks for sticking with me this far and don’t forget to celebrate the little things in your life and the little wins too!

Have a fabulous week ahead! See you again!

Love and light,

❤️✨

Ìbùkúnwrites.

While I was Away. . . 

Monthly Stocktaking, PERSONAL DIARIES, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It is very refreshing to go away and take a break, to clear your head, and just get into something else. Francois Nars.

Myself; PC: @debwritesblog

A Happy Sallah Break guys! And A Happy New Week to y’all. I know it must feel uber cool to be resting on a Monday morning. At least, if I can’t speak for everyone, I can speak for Debs of Debwritesblog  . . . Well, it was officially 3 months yesterday that I took an indefinite break from blogging but I feel so glad doing my second blogpost post-break. 
There were many reasons why I left and I think in subsequent posts, I’ll be talking about them but like I said, walking away for a while was a breath of fresh air, I got my clarity and I feel great working towards awesome.
So While I was Away. . .
1. I made some resolutions;
(a) I won’t be blogging the ‘outstanding’ series Memoirs of A Repentant Hooker on this blog again. Why? Well, if I were a reader, I would be bored already. If something drags for so long, you get tired. Therefore, the only reason I’m gonna bring back this series as a blogpost for continuation if you guys asked me to and a part of me don’t think you might. In lieu of that, I have decided to release the series as an EBook for free downloads on okadabooks.com. In other words, come first week of October, you guys can have a non-disjointed and not-dragging Memoirs of A Repentant Hooker on your tabloids and until that is achieved, I won’t be bringing any series to the blog.
(b) I won’t be doing too much content writing/freelancing. Why? I think one of the disadvantages of freelancing uncensored or unmanaged is that you can be a little distracted and may unconsciously abandon your brand and may lose yourself along the way. When you are too involved, you become less involved in your own. So I have decided to take the ones I know I can conveniently work with that won’t require me struggling for a blog time, self time, rest time etc. In fact, I do write for free – I’m someone who obviously may not care about the money if the course is passionate to my heart; so this decision isn’t borne out of chasing cash, it’s trying to decongest and exhale. . . Still, I’m always up for content writing and always a Freelancer; so if you have a job for me, I’m always your best bet, so don’t hesitate . . . and I can’t be coerced into a Yes! I know how to say No pretty well now.
2. I lost certain opportunity(s)/platform(s)
(a) Yea that’s right! But the truth remains that I am very grateful for the amazing opportunities to be on those platforms while it lasted. One that stood out for me the most was moskedapages and believe me, there is a limit to being considerate and understanding especially when it comes to protecting the integrity of one’s brand and not making readers feel like they are insignificant. Did it hurt? Yes, more than a little but I’m glad that the seeming misunderstanding was cleared and people loved the series while it aired on her page. . . and I think because of the way I was dragging the series and other writers doing the same, she had to decide not to feature uncompleted series! I’m very sorry Sally and I’m exceedingly grateful for the opportunity. The truth is that sometimes, it’s only you that understands you! And things happen that everything can become uninteresting to you.
3. I realized readers can be a little insensitive.
(a) Don’t get me wrong, readers love can be overwhelming but some people can be a little inconsiderate sometimes. I remember when I was AWOL, I appreciate that people kept refreshing this blog and kept checking on me but the truth is, there was a particular message I got about hoping I get to settle whatever. . . can’t really remember! Writers are humans. Everyone has their issues, but not everyone has the same issue! There is no love without sensitivity. That people come out to give you hope and fun through their writings doesn’t mean they are not dealing with dark things in their mind. Words are powerful – I think I learnt that during my away moment and I think one thing I never failed to do during my inconsistencies is come here to explain myself. I can’t begin to pour my issues into a blogpost and then it’s people that’ll still tell me, everyone is going through something, deal with it. . . stop karamoing. . . for every reaction, there is an action. Let’s not always make light of people’s going throughs and assume every disappearance is ‘unnecessary inconsistency/procrastination/un-seriousness’. . . People are fighting silent battles. . . 
4. I travelled 
Debs of Debwritesblog and Myself?

(a) Yes! I went to Abuja and I had the great honour of meeting the number one woman who is mesmerized by me Debs of Debwritesblog?????. To say she was such a great host is an understatement. Meeting her was such a moment I’d treasure for life and I looooooooove her! Sometimes I feel like she makes me feel too big. . . anyways, I’m proud of her, I’m honoured to be associated with her brand and I’m also happy August brought us face to face after a year and little month(s) of being unseen. . . I have her and Yetunde to thank for making my stay a delight. Girl, this is me saying thank you! Iz such a pity there’s no bigger words than thank you and I loooooooove you! When and where many say there’s a casting down, you’ll speak of a lifting up! 
Sisters’ hug; L – R : Yetunde, Funmi and Myself?

(b) I had a reunion, met another amazing blogger and made a new friend.  – Yas! I reunited with my sisters after two years – Funmi and Yetunde and I also met Tolu of @lotsoflove_bytolu and made a new friend, Seyifunmi (all thanks to Debs). Trust me, I couldn’t have spent August anywhere and doing anything better.
Myself and Tolu of @lotsoflove_bytolu

5. I saw a lot of movies
(a) Well, before Abuja I did see a lot of non-Nigerian movies and while at Abuja, I had the cinema experience twice (no! It wasn’t a Nigerian movie, wasn’t that lucky lol) and I watched a lot of ROK when Debs went to work . . . so y’all should better get ready for some overdose of reviews
6. I bought and read a lot of books
(a) Yea! Hardcopy, EBooks. . . Spiritual, Creative. . . In fact, I got an autographed copy of Jolaade Philips’ Eden (I bought literally), bought and read Deborah Akingboye’s Fading Away and more. . . so you guys should expect massive book reviews too. . .
7. I did some audio poems and prose
(a) That’s true! Don’t tell me you haven’t listened to them . . . it’s called, Fuck Boy, Church Boy and The Gender in Virginity. Listen, leave a comment and follow my channel and I’ll be doing more . . . and I also plan to make a video recording of THE GENDER IN VIRGINITY.
8. I made peace with my purpose call
(a) If you noticed, a lot of changes have occurred. I’ve come to a place where I know I can’t run away from doing and fulfilling purpose. It’d take me out of my comfort zone but I’m ready to be unashamed for Christ’s sake, so you’d be reading a lot of personal expositions and Christian reflections on this blog. I hope you don’t just read them for fun or carelessly, I hope it inspires you, encourage you, take you to a place where you start your healing journey, cause you to renew your love for God and trust God doggedly again. . . we’re beautifully broken and highly loved by God.
9. I started writing my first hardcopy-published book.
(a) Sometimes this year, I started writing a book. This isn’t just any book. This is me pouring all of me and practically not holding anything back. I called it owning my truth in poetry. This is one book that’s gonna give you a peak into who I am, who I was, what shaped me into who I am, my battles, survival, trauma, mistakes, healing and redemption. I hope when it’s published, you’ll buy for yourself, friends and family no matter how much it costs.
10. I’ll be sharing a lot of personal stuff here 
(a) Some months ago, I shared a particular post on my IG page where I asked people why they follow me and I remember Yasmin’s comment about personal diaries. . . So yea, personal diaries are back!!! I’ll be introducing new segments to this blog and I’d be starting a travel diary where I share my experiences and the one I’ll be doing this month is called MY PUBLIC TRANSPORT DIARY. . . Are you guys ready!!!! Plus will I be sharing my Abuja experience? Hell yea!
11. I found the strength to live again.
Above all, I learnt to live, laugh and love!
Let me also say that one of the posts that kept bringing people to the blog consistently while I was not here was this post!!! As in people were even kind enough to leave me comments! Thanks y’all. I’ll sure try to do more music posts! Thanks so much. . .and yea, I discovered new songs!
Anyways, Just you know, I’m back with a bang. . . refreshed, renewed and reenergized. Therefore, if you’re my friend and you’re following me on social media especially all ye facebook people and you’re haven’t liked my Facebook Page or followed my IG blog page or subscribed to my Soundcloud Channel, iz like you’ve gba penalty lo throwing o!  what kind of friend are you???????? ?????
The links to do that are below. . . just scroll up and do the needful!. . . subscribe to the blog, like the Facebook page and follow other social media pages. . . and be on lookout for giveaways!!!
 I love you guys and yea, my controversial posts will be back! Maybe not tomorrow, but I think next tomorrow! Kizzezzzzzz. . .
Enjoy the holiday???
~ ©Ibukunwrites.
4/9/2017.

Sometimes, all you need is a little break. Ibukunwrites.

Ramblings: The Bigger Picture

motivation, , , , , , ,

Hi guys. Happy new week. . . I’ve been thinking a lot lately and no it’s not the kind of thoughts that makes your body shrink and sends you from team mopping stick to team broom stick. . . it’s the kind of thoughts that makes you wanna be better as you and for yours!. . .  I thought quite undisputable is the fact that encouragement is a good thing, the fact that you have people to encourage your creativity as family or as readers and supporters in different kinds of ways is amazing but at times, God, your gift and your self is the only thing you have to keep the dream alive. . . Right now, I’m tapping the keypads of my phone with a different think to talk on but now i just feel like saying in writing; definitely not as a way of keeping to my promise of posting daily but because I had a deep urge to write! . . . I felt compelled.
If I could go back in time just to remember how it started; me choosing to study what I studied and me scaling through to get nearer to and in preparation for career, oh boy! I’d have a lot to say. . . At times, according to Cobham’s lyrics, you are the only hope keeping hope alive. . . Many people started blogging for so many reasons, I’ve worked and invested my writings in a couple of blogs before deciding to have mine, I never thought I’d have a blog but now I do and I never thought someone would read it cos I’m not so good when it comes to sharing and publicity stuff; I do my best and I move on to the next!
The point of this rambling is that, at times, detours don’t always have to be ugly. . . you could be so entangled and have your tentacles spread into different things not like leaving your 1 to develop your 6 like Joyce Meyer said, I mean doing so many things that has a lot to do with a particular field but all of those things is in preparation for the bigger picture. . . Oh! At times, detours become ugly but there is a use for them!
I look at me at times and I say girl, you so young but you do have a lot to share, you do have many things in those detours of yours generations would benefit from only if you don’t wait on encouragement all the time. . . you know that song, sometimes you have to encourage yourself!
You’ve got to know what it feels like to depend on people’s encouragement and show of love to realise it’s really nothing if you don’t give it to yourself first! My imaginations right now eludes me cos there was a time I never thought I could be here, like here in a good place, watching purpose unfolds, seeing myself planning and making attempts at bigger things you know. . . facing my fear and trusting God through it!
I’ve come to realise it’s never about the likes, the comments, the shares, the follows, I know how to be insecure in your gift only to depend on people to validate and define it for you! . . . I’m just saying you’ve gat to do what you’ve gat to do even if no one is a fan, even if you have no audience, even if it goes from rising to falling, you’ve got to do it for you and not for them! When you do it for you and for God that places the you in you, them is just gonna fall into place without advertisement and of course, He comes first!
I see me doing the thing and fulfilling the dream and the purpose! People don’t have to be comfortable with it, people don’t have to leave ya comments or give you likes, it doesn’t make you useless or unfruitful; the higher it goes, the challenging it becomes! I’m still gonna do my damn thing if I have no one to applaud me through!. . . there are so many shades to me but I have those shades for one bigger purpose! I might as well turned a Motivational Speaker, yea, I can handle it! 
Pride yourself in your abilities in God! Be grateful that you can do what you do even if no one supports! You’re badass and don’t let human loneliness puts you off!
I love you all! See ya tomorrow with the dragging episodes of my series, I still have to complete even though I know what it feels like to loose interest in something draggy! Got so many plans for 2016!
“Be your number one fan! People’s encouragements mean nothing if you don’t support your own dream.” ~ Ebukun Gbemisola Ogunyemi