Take that much needed break, you deserve it.

I am a firm believer in the saying, “omo to ba sise, o ye ko l’asiko igbadun.” – the child that has worked hard, should have a dedicated time for enjoyment. My itinerary in the medical journey has taken me through Ilorin for medical school, Ibadan for internship, Abuja for youth service and then Lagos for residency.

I am back to Ibadan now as a consultant and Ibadan has actually always been home for me. But of all these places, Lagos is the one I have a funny relationship with. Because one minute I’m loving it, the next minute I’m wishing for any other place but Lasgidi. But Lagos will always have a part of my heart because of the solid relationships I’ve built there.

I noticed that I’ve been all cranky recently and when I’m like that, my body is just telling me I need a break and a change of environment. My husband had been asking me to take the much deserved break but I was stalling. My friend Ayo Omojole’s 40th birthday presented the perfect opportunity. Off I ran to Lagos for the birthday and then spend the weekend. It was the best thing I had done for myself in  long time!

My social currency? -10/10
Some of my friends (who I met on social media) and my longtime friends gave me such great treats. I felt and was treated like Royalty! Eni tó léyàn, ló lówó (the person that is surrounded by good social capital, is the one that is truly wealthy).

Omolabake Bode-Matthew (who said I traumatized her in primary school with the screams I let out when someone fell from a swing beside us and was vomiting blood🤣) came to my hotel and took me to the best places in town.

Ladies and gentlemen, Labake mo aye je!! That girl knows how to chop the life of her head! I’m her protége now. Lol. After feeding me to a stupor (two restaurants o), she then bought takeaway of suya (smoked peppered meat) for myself and TJ (husband). I had to put myself because TJ will not give me out of it if I don’t do that. She didn’t leave until past 10pm from 1pm that she came. We were moving around in grand style chaffeur driven all over Lagos

Did I mention that Labake is also my mentor and the CEO of Fontaine de Vie where they make healthy 100% fruit juices? If you’re in Lagos and you’ve not tasted Labake’s juice, you’re missing out big time! She brought me up to a dozen bottles of juice. No, I’m not sharing😁. Labake…God bless you  abundantly. I love you so much.

Went to surprise my friend Sade Popoola, the CEO of Next Haematology Medicare. Boy, she was so happy to see me…as I was to see her.

Then Okikiola the CEO of skinfinity aesthetics hosted me in her beautiful place where she makes magic with people’s skin. Lovely ambience.

Off I went to Dr. Cole’s beautiful studio(my friend and colleague) and we even shot a dance video! I felt like a little girl in that studio looking like a beautiful butterfly.

Then I met the glam Dr. Mobola Savage. Who is like an aburo to me. The queen of aesthetics. We bonded like we had known each other for years! And that was my first time of meeting her. She gave me the lovely bracelet she had on.

Then saw my adopted big brother and his lovely wife – Mr. and Mrs. Adeyinka- Phenomenal people! I called just to check on him and he told me they were in a stay-in retreat. He told me the hotel where they were lodged and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that it was in the same hotel I was lodged. Talk about serendipity!

Paul Ekpeyong Duke and Zibi Anani who I met through Facebook on a fantastic group called XVIII till checkout both came to spend time with me. And even though Zibi ‘reduced’ my bank account because I bought some shoes from her, I still love her(😁. Her sister Deborah (who I met on the same group) and is a delight paid for one of my shoes. Thank you Debbie. Zibi sells the loveliest shoes!

I went to see my sister Mariam Gold and my niece Anisah who I have missed so dearly.

Finally, my darling friend Lamide came to spend the evening with me. She even brought food! Walahi, I am loved.❤

You’ll wonder if I got any rest? Not really. But I am going back home ready for work. Because I needed that break for my mental health. The mistake most make is thinking they need to leave the country to get a holiday. Sometimes, all it takes is leaving your regular environment and going to a place where you do things that are different from your regular routine – like chopping the life of your head😁😁.

And yes, escaping everyone (including the kids) to get your me-time. This is the summary of my weekend up there. My mummy and mentor Prof. Ogunbiyi looks at me sometimes and shakes her head, “Shaki ti like enjoyment ju.” Lol. I was made for enjoyment plix. I should be the Minister for Enjoyment if they ever create that portfolio. Or another of my aburos called Dr. Elizabeth Peters who also loves flexing.

My first son was giving me ‘puppy eyes’ not to go on the day I was supposed to leave. I was like, “this one doesn’t know I’m trying to escape from him too.” Omode yii o mo meme (this boy doesn’t know what’s goingon😁). Lol

Take that much needed break. Do something for just YOU. You deserve it.

Grateful to all my amazing friends that made me feel like Royalty!

You can tell I had so much fun. Back to work now and I’m sure I’ll be taking more breaks after this trip.

Who’s with me on that? Aye!