Call Me Ajala

With how busy life has been, I am learning to hold on tightly to my hobbies. With the fast pace of life, it’s so nice to settle into something that makes me happy and restful, even for a limited period. 

Hobbies revive the soul and keep you inspired, and they come in all forms and experiences. It also makes the day-to-day less monotonous. The gradual ascent into adulthood and being the new generation of adults is a huge scam, so you genuinely need something to break its mundaneness. 

I have many things I love to do, but some are more loved than others. 

So let’s dive in!

• Reading: Number 1 on the list is reading. I love to read. I read a lot of fiction, especially books by African authors and those in the romance genre. However, this one began to take a back seat for a while due to how busy life was getting, which honestly happened to almost all my hobbies. I also enjoy reading historical accounts and articles to get to know more about things. 

• Watching Movies: I also love to watch movies. Those who know me know that Nollywood (Nigerian movies) and I are 5 and 6. I watch them on every platform available and go to the cinema to enjoy them as well. As with all countries’ movie selections, some movies are definitely better than others, but I love them all the same. I watch them to relax, laugh, cry, be happy and connect me to home. YouTube is my surest plug for movies. Netflix here is a little slow in bringing Netflix Naija, so I cannot rely on them for comfort. 

• Shopping: I enjoy shopping a lot. I initially didn’t care for it too much, but as I got older and more independent, I realised that it was innate but just dormant. Making my first money woke it up quickly. I enjoy window shopping, online shopping, in-person shopping, you name it. Most times, because of the reality of money and finances (my story will change soon! Amen!) I cannot spend as my mind is telling me to. Also, overshopping and overspending can quickly become a vice, so one has to be watchful. 

• Nurturing Plants: Recently, I started getting plants again. I say again because I initially thought I was incapable of owning some after I killed some potted flowers a friend gifted me. In my defence, I thought they were fake, and I left them in the bag, and they died. I got some seeds and planted them, and I also bought some baby plants to groom to grow. I have pepper plants, lavender, aloe vera and some others. Watch this space to see how they thrive. Honestly, tending to it makes me happy, and the additional health benefits to the space are fantastic. I will also be adding plant mum to my bio. 

• Exploring New Places: I enjoy exploring new places- walking and sightseeing.  It’s something I haven’t done much of lately, but I’m hoping to return to it, especially now that the weather is getting better. My explorations aren’t anything fancy or expensive, but I find joy in discovering spots, corners, and hidden gems. Museums, zoos, historical places, and old buildings have my heart.

• Arranging my Closet: I also enjoy arranging my closet. It might sound basic, but there is something calming and satisfying about organizing my clothes and creating order. It’s one of those small things that helps clear my mind.

I’ll keep looking for new things to spark joy in the mundane, and I hope you do the same. What do you enjoy doing, or what activities do you find time for?