Memory Lane
2016
In 2016, I lacked clarity about my future. I was an undergraduate at the time but I wasn’t doing so well academically. Before long, I had to rethink my academic career path and eventually, I opted to study Psychology instead of Genetic Counselling. Honestly, the decision may have been prompted by the fact that I just wanted to graduate as soon as possible. At the time, I didn’t know my purpose so most of the decisions I made were circumstantial.
Nevertheless, 2016 brought me closer to God. My struggles and lack of clarity made me realize how much I needed God to lead me and show me the way.
In 2016, my style was simplistic. I liked the idea of pairing a simple clothing item with a statement piece. I would pair dresses that were well-detailed with a shoe or bag that didn’t have much going for them. I got this dress as a gift - and I loved the fact that you couldn’t find it anywhere else. That made the dress unique to me. At the time, I hated wearing outfits or brands that most people were familiar with. I would shop from stores that people wouldn’t regularly visit when they are shopping for outfits - and that’s how I came to love Hudson Bay. Although it’s a common Canadian store, it is not people’s first choice for outfit shopping.
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In 2016, I felt invisible. My lack of clarity about my purpose made me feel like I was wandering and unseen but it drew me closer to God - the one who sees and knows everything.
2017
In 2017, I got closer to God but I lost myself in my service to him. This was a particularly tough year for me. After 2016, I knew that I needed God to reveal my purpose to me so I sought to know him. So, I started doing certain things that I thought was essential to knowing God but I was wrong. I began spending more time at Church events than in my quiet time. I spent more time serving in church than actually genuinely learning about God and getting to know him.
Like Martha in Luke 10:38-42, I thought that the way to be closer to God was by devoting more time in service. I saw several christians around me devoting all their time in service so I thought that was all I had to do to be closer to God. I learnt that, although service to God is important, it is not the most important thing. Worship, prayer and meditation on his word are way more important - that’s how you get to know God better.
In 2017, I lost my sense of style. I had to learn to be financially responsible so I wore outfits that everyone else wore. These outfits were usually easy-to-get and cheap. I struggled with comparison as I would always look down on my outfits whenever I saw others were more stylish or expensive outfits. This affected my self-esteem and sometimes, I would just cry and pray to God for help.
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In 2017, I let myself be misled by what others were doing. My service to God was heavily influenced by the actions of others. My outfit choices were also influenced by outfits worn by most people around me. I began the year with a desire to know my purpose by getting closer to God but, along the way, I didn’t look to God’s word to show me the way. Instead, I compared myself with others and looked to man to show me the way.
2018
In 2018, I trusted God wholeheartedly. Given the mistakes I made and tears I shed in 2017, I didn’t begin the year 2018 on a happy note. In fact, on new year’s day, I cried to God because I wanted things to be different. I was upset about how confused and unproductive I had been so I told God all about it. I spent just about every day in January doing this and by the end of that month, I started to feel a sense of God’s leadership and direction for me.
However, in February, I lost a family member who was precious to me and it hurt so much especially because I live far away from my family. By October, I graduated from the university and got a job immediately but within a month, I lost that job. I ended up getting another job in a company that I didn’t like. Despite the topsy-turvy nature of the year, 2018 was the year that I began to rediscover myself and my purpose.
At the beginning of the year, I was trying to regain my sense of style. As the year went by, a friend of mine started her brand this year. As I watched her do what she loves and grow, I was encouraged and began to fall in love with styling again. I started putting more passion and creativity in my outfits. I would use the limited budget I had to get a handful of clothing pieces and style them together to make something beautiful. With time, I came up with the idea and design for the custom-made traditional dress I am wearing here. I love the shape the dress forms around the neck and waist lines. To complement the Northern Nigerian look, I paired it with a scarf and pair of laced up low-heeled shoes from Aldo.
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In 2018, I uncovered parts of my purpose. By the end of that year, I understood that I have been given multiple talents/gifts and my life isn’t one-directional. So, it was important for me to focus on building my foundation so that my talents and gifts can flourish in the future.
2019 - July 2020
In 2019, I was determined to see myself the way God sees me and to be who He wanted me to be. I realized I had spent so much time, in the past, trying to please people instead of pleasing God. I made up my mind to be sensitive and completely obedient to God’s words for my life. In the process, I learnt that complete obedience means separating from situations and relationships that aren't in alignment with God's plan for you.
Nevertheless, I took scary but bold steps. God had revealed his purpose for my life as it pertains to fashion styling so I started researching fashion and styling. I styled more people so I could get a sense of what it was like. I knew I wanted to start a blog about fashion styling but I wasn’t sure how I would go about it. I took steps to learn about blogging, social media and writing.
2019 was the first time, since I moved to Canada, I travelled outside Winnipeg to explore other Canadian cities. I made memories that I will never forget - including celebrating my birthday at Banff, Alberta and getting engaged at Prince’s Island Park in Calgary on my birthday. On this particular birthday, God spoke to me from Psalm 40:1-3 which says;
I waited and waited and waited some more, patiently, knowing God would come through for me. Then, at last, he bent down and listened to my cry.
He stooped down to lift me out of danger from the desolate pit, I was in, out of the muddy mess I had fallen into. Now he’s lifted me up into a firm, secure place and steadied me while I walk along his ascending path.
A new song for a new day rises up in me every time I think about how he breaks through for me! Ecstatic praise pours out of my mouth until everyone hears how God has set me free.
God's word reassured me that He was with me no matter how challenging things may get. My situation at work became incredibly difficult and I needed to make a change soon. So, I quit my job in Winnipeg and relocated to Vancouver. That happened at the end of 2019.
So far, 2020 has been a year full of testimonies for me. From starting this fashion styling blog and sharing stories with a beautiful community of royals, being surrounded by an amazing community of friends to getting a great job with some of the best coworkers I have ever had to getting my first collaboration with a spa company in Vancouver, I have had many reasons to be grateful to God. Yet, the biggest of all testimonies is my wedding and marriage. I am grateful to God to be married to my best friend.
Here, I am wearing a rib knit dress from Suzy Shier. This picture was taken during the fall hence the color of the dress (light-brown is a fall colour) and the choice of boots from Aldo. My favorite part of the dress is the slit. The slit gives the dress a more stylish look and makes the dress free-flowing. With this dress, you can dress warm during the cold months and still look good. The low-ankle boots can easily be paired with trousers or dresses and so, it’s a good bargain in the long run.
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Of course, there have been challenges, setbacks and disappointment along the way but these past few months (2019 to 2020) has taught me that it pays to stick with God. No matter how tough it gets, God will always be faithful. He will never give up on you.
August 2020 Onwards…
This new year, I will step further out of my comfort zone.
I believe this is a year of purpose for me. Starting this fashion styling blog and community was a first step but I know that there is more. I no longer want to shy away from God's purpose for me. Instead, I want to fully immerse myself in his love, purpose and security. More so, I want to worship him more than ever before and be used by him to spread love and hope to people in my community.
The outfit for the period is an all-white monochrome look that combines a short-sleeved dress from Winners with a pair of wedge slippers. I wore this outfit to a Winery during the summer. I was going for a simple yet classy summer look and this monochrome outfit was perfectly suited for that. The short sleeves provide comfort for arm movements and the shoes are suited for long walks. Simply put, this perfect summer dress embodies the sense of freedom that I want to keep living and working with.
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I am a work in progress. Honestly, I have a lot to learn and unlearn. I know that I have made progress but I look forward to growing as a person, christian, wife, daughter, sister, friend and fashion stylist.
Today, my prayer is that you will find areas in your life that you can express gratitude for but be willing to grow more.I pray you will live out your purpose and be fully immersed in God’s love for you.
God bless you!
