This is a story and a reminder of Gods intentionality in handling my affairs.
Don’t use your youthful age to work for free were my Dad’s words to me.
After I was back from Maiduguri (service year), the plan was if no response from all the several job applications, then off to take my journalism course.
After Nine weeks, course came to an end, very beautiful experience that came with its own challenges.
I got a proposed job; agreement was to come in as an intern and work for free because they had no intention to pay. My Journalism HOD advised and said it’s a good place to grow career wise but he knows they won’t want to pay for a start, it was exciting so I took the offer.
I was also avoiding Lagos hectic life and all but my dad who is very wise was totally not in support, he preferred I even went on to study again, take up a skill but not work for free. I no listen, something personal happened in between too which he advised against and till now I marvel at his wisdom.
I should add that my mentor reached out when he was going to start heading a radio station and there were openings, but the pay was too little and, in another city, I started wishing I took it after I was tired of applying, reached out but was already late. God’s plan ehn.
I resumed the free job, worked very hard, hosted, produced shows, edited and cast news, basically I stretched, glad I did all those different things (all the knowledge and skills are mine forever, so no regrets)
Third month, after hosting a program that day and editing evening news I was given letter to just stop coming. There were some politics in between but it’s not important in this story.
It was a tough phase, veryyy, omo I cried so much, my Grandma joined me to cry, lol, I’m her baby and she was with me all the way so knew everything, I felt very cheated as that wasn’t the agreement, remembering again and how I picked up myself so fast, I’m strong abeg.
Close friends who knew what I went through then randomly appreciate my strength, how I bounce back from challenges and difficult times.
Some others think I’ve always had it easy; the jobs just keep coming in and maybe I have one connect somewhere but God is the one o and my eyes have also seen my share of shege and still do.
I shared this with Bobo and Halima and it was suggested I share to my newsletter subscribers instead of whatsapp like I wanted to, so I fleshed it out and decided to share with you.
Remind me why I started this newsletter again? Lol, don’t blame me for not writing to you often (insert moon face emoji).
After crying from the job incidence, I used that time to sleep well and started created contents for my Youtube channel.
A month after, God used someone, and a friend, I got recommended for a job, went for interview, got it. It was a good place to work, I was doing everything I knew how to do, started getting too comfortable, was earning very little (minimum wage) and it was not easy financially but I don’t know how I did it that I was still saving.
I get levels with financial discipline, let me brag please.
Started applying so hard to other places because I really wanted something better, will wake for tahajjud, pray in tears.
There’s a Dua that was narrated prophet Musa, Moses (PBUH) said to God in difficult phase and it means “My Lord, I am in absolute need of every Good you have in store for me” and my favorite Dua, “My Lord is sufficient and He is the disposer of my affairs”, I over said it that period, lol.
God answered o, I got an offer.
Side gist, my friends in Abuja have always encouraged me to come visit etc but I didn’t see myself going until I had a need to or got a job in fact.
This job required me moving to a new city, where? Abuja. So excited, I started planning my move and resigned.
Interview and all was virtual.
Resumed new place and it was very different from what I thought and very toxic. I used only a week and my mental health was in shambles.
I resigned, I just couldn’t, when I told my parents my experience they thought I could bear omo I resigned without telling them. I also couldn’t tell all my friends at that point. I had a side gig, thankfully.
Another decision: Should I stay back or move to Lagos/Ilorin?
I was at a friend’s place who lives with her parents and I didn’t intend to stay beyond a week omo, it turned to months o.
Forever grateful to the Kareem’s
Trying phase for me, cried a lot and was in desperate need for a miracle. I cry alot, its a coping mechanism, lol
God used my cousin to share a job offer to me, applied and after three phases of interview, I got in.
Learnt a lot on the job as it was a new system for me but I really grew.
The fulfillment wasn’t there because that wasn’t the career long-term goal and there wasn’t fulfillment from within.
After some months, started applying for opportunities in the line I believe I was best at and will get fulfillment in doing.
A year and months later, another good opportunity came, God used someone to recommend me and during that period I got another interview invite for a job I didn’t apply for.
It was tough deciding which is better of the very two good offers for me.
Prayed a lot for guidance like I always do and Allah guided me.
It has been challenging and there are still challenges but why won’t I be grateful? Allah has been absolutely sufficient.
Something led to me sharing this story.
On my birthday, (I had a birthday note I was going to share with you o, lol, might still share).
The word strength was used a lot for me and I don’t even know how I did it or do it, I just know that I find the strength somehow and I push through.
A lot of people don’t know this but I am sharing with the purpose of acknowledging God’s kindness and grace in my life and also to encourage someone out there.
Know that God who created you has a purpose for your life. Ask Him for His ease, grace and guidance constantly. I pray He never leaves you to your affairs even for a blink of an eye.
We will constantly wonder and feel like what exactly is our purpose in life and why we are at a phase but God sabi pass you, just don’t leave Him and He’ll always guide you.
It has really been awhile and I hope to hear from you, lets call it sharing testimony, lol.
Take a screenshot or a part of this that really resonate with you and share, don’t forget to tag me. Can’t wait to read from you.
Until my next newsletter which is going to be the last for 2023.
Bye.
Yours Cruise and Truth,
Always,
Nahnah.
Remember I’m actively here on other days of the week.
Work place toxicity is a real thing. Perhaps one day I'd have the courage to share my experience just like you. It totally messed up my mental health. Had to remind myself of how I handled a similar experience from the past, watch a TV series on politics pray and fast heavily just to be sane and have peace of mind.
Life is not balanced at all. Some find it easy while others strive hopelessly to make it in life. But i like it seeing someone with full Hopes in Allah SWT, because definitely He won't disappoint. Destiny can only be delayed but can't be denied. May Allah SWT continue to lead our ways. Ameen