This should be short and straightforward.

I’ll tell you a story that happened 10 years ago.

On the unfortunate night of July 18th 2014, my phone got spoilt. I’m usually terrible at dates, but this is one occurrence that I will never forget.

I was in part two (or 200 level as mere men call it) and it was my birthday eve. My phone, which had been giving me warning signs for weeks, simply decided not to come on again. I tried to sleep hoping that by morning, the phone would readjust itself and give me just one day—my birthday—and die again, if it so wished. But no, wishes are not horses.

I woke up on the morning of my birthday with wet swollen eyes. I had cried through the night because the mere thought that nobody would be able to reach me on my birthday was so unbearable to me. Worse, I lived off-campus at the time, and I had no friends around as the school was on holiday (or strike, but what’s the difference?) To worsen the situation, I was dead broke; I had nothing—no money in my account, so my only hope of a good birthday was supposed to be the wishes from my friends and acquaintances.

So, I trekked from Mayfair to the Campus gate, so I could use 10 naira to get a bus inside the campus. I would have spent 30 naira from Mayfair, so it was a good deal. I got to campus and I was able to reach my mum via someone’s phone. With tears rolling down my eyes, I told her how my phone got spoilt and how nobody would be able to reach me on my birthday.

I don’t know why my mum reacted so fast. Maybe it was because the sound of her last born’s tears was unbearable for her, or maybe it was because she knew I hardly shared my problems, or maybe it was because my mom is a great woman—whatever it was, in a few hours, my mom was in Ife, handing me her phone to insert my SIM card. I mean, we were too poor to get a replacement phone instantly, so all she could do was give me hers, for the day.

Now with my dry swollen eyes, I inserted my SIM in this torchlight phone, and the calls started coming in.

“Ahn ahn, why did you switch off your phone on your birthday?”

“You this babe, you decided to ghost us on your birthday?”

“I said I will be the first to call you but you ran away abi?”

I smiled. I played along. I was at peace. My mum, watching my mood get better, looked really happy. I can never get over the feeling of watching my mum being happy, even if it was for a flimsy reason.

I had tons of calls and messages that day. Whew. The world was better again.

Fast forward to 2024.

All I wanted for my birthday was a quiet day.

I had just started a new job. It came (still coming tbh) with a major learning curve for me, and I was just so so overwhelmed. I had to switch from remote work to hybrid work. My schedule had changed within an instant as there was a bit of overlap with my previous job and I literally had no resting period between the job switch.

My head was consistently banging. I couldn’t keep up with my friends. In those few weeks, I may have lost a friend or two. I couldn’t keep up with social media, only checked in and out. I needed to just do so much within a very short period. Crazy. Fucking mental.

But hey. I worked so hard to be here. It was the job I really wanted—and I am now much more stable, in case you’re wondering.

Latest feedback to me from my VP: Overexceeding expectations

So for my birthday, all I wanted was to rest.

I know that I am well-loved by my friends, appreciated by my acquaintances, and fancied by a bunch of strangers. But birthday wishes can immediately become a chore too. I could not imagine adding a bunch of responses to my task list.

So, I didn’t bother saying anything about it publicly, not even on my WhatsApp stories. The less I talked about it, the less people remembered—and that, for me, was all I needed.

With a genuine heart, a few friends have asked me…

Oyin, why didn’t you talk about your birthday? Are you having birthday depression? Are you sad?

Hey my love, look at me. I honestly have no reason to be sad. 28 was kind to me and I am grateful for it.

If you didn’t remember or didn’t send in wishes, you were one of those that made my wish come true. 🫶🏽 If you wished me on Twitter and I didn’t respond, I am so sorry. I was simply trying not to draw any attention to my own followers. I know you love me. I do too. 🥰

And yes. I rested well. My birthday was on a Friday and I had the most restful weekend ever.

Hannah made me a very pretty website. You see, this gesture meant a lot to me because Hannah would always prefer having a very very loud day, but having her celebrate my birthday my way without any need to ask her is the best feeling!

Oluwatosin sent me an amazing email. It was an aura-for-aura moment because her birthday was a day before as well.

Moyosade sent me a very cute email, twice in a row now. I don’t know if I have permission to share, but I do not take that for granted at all.

There were other amazing gestures from my office, from a few friends and acquaintances, but I cannot share them all. I got gifts too.

The Emmanuels got me everything in the picture below…and more. Thank you, Faith and Michael. I love you both.

My 28th was great. I got all that I needed.

There’s this quote that “there are years that ask questions and years that answer.” My 28th year came with a lot of answers.

You see, I promised myself to get myself a gift every month of the year—this year—and I have done just that. I got a phone, a Macbook, Airpods, flight tickets, iPad, and skin care. This new year, I hope it includes a car, and other things I’d rather not mention. But for my birthday, I don’t know what to gift myself. I deserve one. When you read this and you have ideas of what I can gift myself for my birthday, share with me. Within reason. 😂

When you read this and you have ideas of what I can gift myself for my birthday, share with me. Within reason. 😂

For my 29th, I pray to get the things I want.

I want stability.

I want to groom my friendships better.

And hopefully, it will be the year I find someone I am crazy about.

And at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I want to travel. 💀

Look at me.

The young 19-year-old girl who cried so much because no one could wish her a happy birthday is now intentionally avoiding a lot of happy birthday wishes.

Fuck adulthood mehn… 🙁

You may like these:

Do you know your weakness? I found out mine! Dear Diary, today I become a global talent…