Lifestyle with Temini

The Place I Go When I Can't Be Strong There’s a place I go, and no, it’s not in this world. It doesn’t exist in the Lagos noise. Not in my living room. Not even in my corner workspace  the one with the blue plastic chair Lanre got me, where I sit and try to build something that matters. This place? It’s invisible. It lives somewhere between breath and memory. Somewhere behind my eyes. It’s not made of walls or furniture or fragrance. It’s made of retreat. I go there when my soul is tired but the world still expects me to show up like I’m fine. It’s not a sad place. And not exactly safe either. But it’s mine . When I’m there, I let go of the pressure. Of strength. Of sense. I curl into that space  not physically, because my body won’t always allow that but emotionally, quietly. I release. “God, I’m tired of holding everything together.” “I’m not lazy… I’m just exhausted in ways I can’t explain.” “I need softness too, not just survival.” “Can You still he...

Dear Daddy, This One’s for You   Before I even understood what it meant to carry a family, I watched you do it with strength only heaven could give. You never announced your sacrifices. You simply lived them. From long work days to quiet midnights, you built our lives with your own two hands  and a heart that never turned away from responsibility. I remember the hospital bills when I got so sick... how your account and Mommy’s combined still weren’t enough. Yet somehow, the bills were paid. You didn’t sleep, you didn’t break ,you found a way. Because that’s who you are. You’ve always made sure I was okay. Not just me all of us. My siblings, the people around you, even strangers. You gave. You protected. You covered. Even when it stretched you. Even when no one said thank you. I think about the expensive schools you sent us to. How you never once made us feel like it was a burden. You believed we deserved the best  and you gave it, whether or not it w...