Blog - November 5, 2022

Day 5: The November Happiness Challenge 2022

Celebration

“Inserts Celebration by Joeboy” It isn’t a coincidence that I made this theme come on a Saturday. Everyone (at least everyone from the part of the world where I come from), knows that Saturdays are for Owambes and any kind of party that is about to be lit! We love to party, and you’d see people turning up every weekend at more than one event. Permit me to say that it is a Nigerian thing. Truthfully, that is one part of our culture that I’d never take for granted. I want it to stay forever because for a lot of people, it goes beyond an avenue to wine and dine.  While wining and dining are good of course, these events are also community builders, and people have met  life changing opportunities there. I mean,  for someone who met her partner at an event, I would know that. The theme for today covers attending  parties and fun events, but it isn’t the only thing I want to speak about. More importantly, what I need us to do is celebrate ourselves and loved ones whole heartedly. Many times, we forget to celebrate our wins and the amazing things we do. And even if we don’t think that we have any current achievement that deserves celebration, why not celebrate the gift of life? Or the awesomeness of being you. It could be you taking yourself out for a treat, or getting all dressed up and taking beautiful pictures, or ordering cake and stuffing your face in it. It could be you deciding to order that luxury item for yourself just because! Now, after you have embraced the art of celebrating yourself from time to time, it becomes eassier to celebrate other people. Don’t be that friend who is informed of good occurences without showing any emotion. It makes your loved ones feel bad, and they might be discouraged to share their wins with you subsequently. Be the one who people are eager to share positive news and achievements with, because they know you’d celebrate them fully and make the  feel better than they already do. Between you and I, nobody loves a spoilsport. A friend once told me that some people aren’t ‘wired’ to show emotions and I told them that even though I couldn’t fault their reasoning, I didn’t have to agree with it. So many times, we stay on the belief that we are ‘wired’a certain way and can’t make ourselves step out of the ‘wiring’and I don’t think that is good enough. Don’t get me wrong, our energy and show of emotions would definitley differ because in our differences lie our uniqueness. I could jump and run round the block when I get some good news while the other person wouldn’t move from where they are sitted, thsat doesn’t make either of us a bad person. But it shouldn’t be as bad as giving one word responses when someone shares something meaningful to them, with you. Please, show some excitement and let them know that their win  matters. I really want us to be intentional about seeing ourselves as superstars and people worthy of celebration, because really, if you don’t celebrat yourself, who will? Today, we are either attending events or eating fancy or doing something that we don;t regularly do. When was the last time you danced hard? Or ate some full meal? I mean, your way of celebrating yourself might not even be similar to the aforementioned ways, but please find your own way and do it. I’ll be back. OBA    

Comments (24)

  1. Uchenna

    November 5, 2022

    I am a big advocate of celebrating oneself. You did that! So don’t ever be shy to psyche yourself up. And every month when I get paid, I celebrate myself for all my hardwork that month… could be eating out or buying that thing I want. Nothing too expensive but something that is a proof of all I achieved that month.
    It’s a tradition I hope I never have to give up. It keeps me going lol.
    I love how succinctly you put down your thoughts… Welldone Omotolani. I celebrate you always!!!

  2. Anu

    November 5, 2022

    Yes please, even the Bible says to rejoice with those that rejoice

  3. Olajumoke

    November 5, 2022

    Another beautiful write up! More ink to your pen. While I enjoyed reading this so much, I also couldn’t resist taking multiple looks at the attached pictures; a discovery kinda beauty 😍. Celebrating oneself is very very important. Just like you pointed out, people will hardly celebrate you if you aren’t big on celebrating yourself. I’m making conscious efforts to celebrate all of my wins, no matter how little, and by extension, those of others around me. Looking forward to day 6

  4. ENIOLA

    November 5, 2022

    Being alive alone is worth celebrating.
    The gift of beautiful people around.
    Sound mind.
    Access to clean drinking water and everything in between.
    Thankful 🙏🏽

    • November 5, 2022

      You are so right! May celebrations never cease from our lives.

  5. Rhamaa

    November 5, 2022

    ❤️❤️❤️

  6. Temitope

    November 5, 2022

    This is such a beautiful read. I loved that you used a beautiful owambe picture. Thank you for blessing us with your writing

    • November 5, 2022

      You are welcome, hun.

  7. Abibat

    November 5, 2022

    You are right sis,May we always have a reason to celebrate 🙏🏽.

  8. Kamilah

    November 5, 2022

    I have embraced the act of celebrating myself and I am loving it and celebrating other people’s accomplishments gives me joy and hope! Beautiful write up mama 🤍

  9. Rukayat

    November 5, 2022

    There is this quote that says ‘Make time to celebrate your accomplishments no matter how big or small it is.
    Yes, i celebrate myself and rejoice with friends.Being alive is worth celebrating.

    Always looking forward to seeing more of your write up. You are beautiful 🥰 sis.

    • November 6, 2022

      Thank you, my darling. May we always have resons to celebrate.

  10. Kheffytee

    November 5, 2022

    Sometimes we underestimate our wins and this invariably robs us of our accolades. After a hard month work, if I want it I get it. I worked for it, so I should enjoy.

    Letting our loved ones know their wins is ours as well goes a long, citrate with pple so you can be celebrated.

    • November 6, 2022

      You got it perfectly!

  11. Anike

    November 6, 2022

    I enjoyed reading this!!!!! I choose to celebrate myself always

    • November 6, 2022

      Yaaay. I’m happy you did

  12. Ameenah

    November 6, 2022

    First of all you look gorgeous in those pictures 😍😍😍. I love to celebrate myself by doing things that would give me joy, doing this makes me feel better about myself. Thank you for this beautifully written words .

  13. Olaseni

    November 7, 2022

    Sometimes, it is even important to celebrate milestones as it helps us to reflect on the seemingly little victories, results and accomplishments.

  14. Derin

    November 12, 2022

    Omotolani with the sauce and pops! 😍
    You’ve always been big on celebrating one’s wins. And it’s more beautiful to know you were raised that way.
    While others may not have same kind of nurturing, it is essential to keep trying: one little win after the other and that is where I am.
    Like you said, if one doesn’t celebrate one’s self, who will?

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