#OA8 Your Weekly Dose of Wellness and Wisdom

Thank your way out of the funk

Hi Reader

It’s so easy to spiral into a black hole of nothingness. I know this might not be what you may have been expecting to read, but let’s talk about it. That hole – though sometimes inviting – is cold, dark, uncomfortable and far from the home where we’re meant to put our tired feet up. Feeling listless, restless, apathetic, uncertain, and unsure might resonate with you now, and I hope it remains just a momentary feeling rather than something persistent.

I love conversations, especially understanding people’s histories, the peaks and valleys that led to their present, and their hopes for tomorrow. There are countless reasons to spiral. I can think of people and potential reasons they might find comfort in that black hole: an estranged yet difficult family member, a toxic work environment, fear about a new chapter unfolding in life, deep discomfort with personal flaws, illness, heartbreak, family loss, financial struggles. It's a lot, and it all stinks.

It's uncomfortable, dark, cold, and it stinks. But here's the eureka discovery in all of this: we don’t have to stay in the hole. Where there’s breath, there’s hope. It’s healthy to acknowledge the reasons why you’re spiralling – whether it's family, work, finances, relationships, you name it. Confront it, look it in the eye. If you can, write it down, take it out of your head and onto those A5 lined sheets in a treasured journal. I promise, your perspective will shift once you see this looming issue trapped within the confines of paper. You'll realise that, one, you may have overcome worse; two, there are things in your life worth being thankful for; and three, there’s a way out.

I'm not a licensed mental health practitioner, so I encourage you to speak with a trusted person if the hole seems too deep to climb out of by yourself. Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative or Ziva Wellness is worth reaching out to, please.

I have shared a bit of what I do know, and I want to emphasise the importance of gratitude. I also want to remind you to slow down. In Slow Down by Jonathan Ogden, he sings, "You don't have to be so frightened, about what tomorrow brings, just keep takin' it slow, I will always be close."

Gratitude Challenge

I want us to do something. For the next 21 days, can we say and write something we are grateful for each day? Don’t just do it to tick off your to-do, see gratitude as a ladder to climb out of the hole. If you’re on Instagram, and you choose to share there, you can use the hashtag #doseofgratitude and feel free to tag me @oluwatoniakinola. No pressure, but no doubt, practicing gratitude will help.

Some goodness for you

To go with the gratitude challenge, here’s a playlist for your heart and soul - gratitude dose.

Here's a podcast by a good friend of mine. I highly recommend - Divide Podcast!!

Last but not least! Here are some opportunities worth checking out. Learn, grow, and make progress with these.

• Global Wins: Preparing for Global Opportunities with Anita Makori, Mastercard Foundation Scholar, University of Oxford - https://bit.ly/landscholarships​

• Connect Conference 2024 - http://www.ypcafrica.org​

If you're in Nigeria, you may have heard of an ongoing cholera outbreak. Here are some ways to stay safe from Dr Ameyo Stella Adadevoh Health Trust.

See you next week.

Stay healthy,

Oluwatoni

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