Finding My Way Back Home

Retracing steps ..

If only I had a penny every time someone has asked me to start writing again … okay not to be dramatic, I would only have like 96 pennies. But that is significant enough to guilt trip me until I finally put fingers to keyboard.

Look at me forgetting my manners.

Hello you! How have you been?

The thing is, I never really stopped writing, I simply kept them private. That was what my writing kept telling me it needed at the time and so I honored the feeling. I knew I would consistently write publicly again when it was time. I am a patient woman.

Around this time two years ago (I can’t even believe that it has been that long already), I decided to move back to Lagos. Nothing made sense on paper - literally and figuratively because my earnings took a massive nose dive. Again, I had this feeling that I needed to honor. There wasn’t a massive pull factor in this decision. It was just the only decision that felt right to me at the time. After almost 3 years of being on the road, going back to America wasn’t enticing and even though I was building a semblance of a life in the UAE at the time, I knew deep, really deep down that it was time for Lagos.

In the 9 years prior to this, I had only experienced Lagos as a visitor. Lagos is the city of my life. I was born here and grew up here, but things in Lagos move so fast that when I decided to settle back in, it was like learning the city from scratch. I am always a Lagos girl, so that learning came quite fast. With many scars to show.

The first real shege struggle was house hunting. No further comments as I am still processing my trauma. Then landlord wahala tribulations came and boom I was back in the market. Ditto as above.

If I strip it down to brass tacks, I do not regret that decision. In a weird way, I am generally happier. It is a struggle not to wail in frustration every day because Lagos be doing as Lagos does. But this period was good for me. I needed that.

Someone reached out to me recently as they were considering moving back to Lagos from the U.S. I told them what I had told everyone who has asked me the same question: “It is such a deeply personal decision but it is also not an irreversible decision. So if there’s an itch, feel free to either scratch or ignore it”.

One thing I didn’t expect was making new friends. At the expense of sounding juvenile here, this has been one of the most exciting parts. I don’t mean loose friendships, I mean actual ride-or-die friends. I didn’t make just one but I’ve made 3 of those over these two years. That’s sorta cool and also a reminder that you really haven’t met all your people yet. I even have a standing date with one of them called “Cultural Sundays”, where we just explore artsy things we are curious about. Trés cute.

Currently, I am actively planning my summer travels. I plan to spend a few weeks country hopping in a region I have been deliberately saving because I knew when I finally went, it had to feel right. That time is now, and it is perfectly timed around someone I have known all my life getting married to the love of their life in one of the most beautiful places there. You’ll find out where soon :)

I’ve found my way back to two homes. First Lagos and second this newsletter. Finally writing this is the pocket of accomplishment I am holding to this week.

Do have an amazing week ahead and I hope somehow seeing this letter makes you smile. What a nice surprise eh?

With love and everything nice,

Moe