The other side of a blessing you are never told about

Greetings from the comfort of my couch to the brightness of your screen!!!

Autumn is finally upon us, and I've started prepping for fall!

It's been two weeks without posting, my apologies for that; I needed to be Iyanla and fix this life I live. Talking about the topic of today, we shall be speaking about the other side of blessings: the non-shiny, oh my word what did I sign up for side of it. 

Have you ever wondered what happens in the process of getting to your promise land? 

Have you ever thought what people actually go through, before we see their victories and hear that they've finally made it to wherever they wanted to get? 

The other side of blessings is often overlooked or not spoken about, because it may discourage some or it's just not as catchy and glamorous really * such a Debbie Downer for the optics*. However, it's that part often not  talked about that shapes us, refines our character and strengthens our tenacity. Hence, the desire to share my story, my other side of the blessing of finally doing/studying what I love. 

Four weeks ago, I began my journey as a fashion design student. I waited for 21 years for this to happen. While I was so ecstatic to finally acquire the knowledge of my preferred field of study/occupation; I had to ensure that my other commitments were also fulfilled. I took it upon myself  to combine working on my Masters' thesis with fashion school, from January until Mid-March (the week of submission). 

Before I started fashion school at the end of February; although exhausted by the pressure of grad school, I was able to focus on one thing at a time and things were sort of working well. However when both things were combined, it wasn't as easy as I thought it was going to be. 

Most people think that doing art is so easy, that arts students must be chilling for a living. But is it so though? No! 

One of the things that humbled me, is to see how much work goes into fashion design and art in general. I mean after taking a whole afternoon to draw 10 fashion faces as a homework, my perspective had to change real quick.

Anyway...As I was saying...

The early days of  March began and submission week is now around the corner; meanwhile fashion school's homework are coming in like tomorrow won't be no day. Additionally, here I receive a direct message asking me whether I would want to curate the Rwandan twitter account. I welcomed stress into my life with open arms, because the 'Year of Yes' and daring myself to go out of my comfort zone.  Did I make it to the submission day? Yes, I did. But how did that week go? Chaos, friend, chaos! 

Between the trips from the fashion institute to University, volunteering, trying to make it for submission, homework, curating, living life => I ended up with heavy back-pains, my blood pressure fell and a level of fatigue that knocked me out at 6 PM on Friday to only wake up at 9 AM the following day. But still this is not a train smash. 

Nobody had warned me that fashion school required me to buy stationary every other day. As in, I am seriously competing with my 7 years old brother in terms of stationary ownership. That's not even it, I did not know that I would need an additional machine (an overlocker). See my savings pass me.  

Here I find myself, grateful for finally living the dreams but I am definitely broke now. I cannot afford to go out without planning it like an AGM (Annual General Meeting), I cannot sleep as much as I want to if I have to take public transport to school and not just walk there like I used to. Well, we are not even going to talk about shopping, because that will have to be prepared for months in advance just like how long it takes before the fiscal budget is finalized . 

So as I am sitting down and seeing my bank account's balance, the state of my health and the awaiting responsibilities such as blogging, finding ways to acquire capital, volunteering, being a human, etc. It all boiled down to the fact that  "no greatness is birthed without sacrifices". The route to 'making it' is bumpy, the progress is slow too, some sacrifices hard to endure more than others; BUT IT IS WORTH IT whether I know what's ahead or not. As long as giving up is not even an option, faith can/will take me places.

Coat: Online Purchase (Superbalist)

White Jeggings: PnP Clothing

Shirt: Gift

Bag: Aldo 

Sunglasses: Mr Price

Earrings: FIX

Love, light and keep on dreaming and keep on going even when you feel like giving up!

Bodacious!

Hello there!!!!!

It's been a little while since I posted, missy's life has been A MESS HONEY *Wendy William's voice*!!! 

Jokes, it wasn't that bad. It's just a lot of changes all at the same time. Last week I started fashion school, FINALLY (in life though, I have been waiting for this since high school)!!! While that was happening, I was wrapping up with my Master's thesis. Hence the slight delay. 

Le topic du jour  is all about being BOLD and AUDACIOUS--> BODACIOUS  in the way we approach life. If anyone asked me what I would be doing with my life after grad school, I certainly wouldn't  have said fashion design. I thought that fashion design was a course I will probably take in my mid-thirties. I was not even sure for what purpose, how to go about and what to use the new knowledge for, or how things will work out. It was just a dream I had put on the back burner, swallowed up by the demands of grad school, and what used to be the economic reality of Africa back then. By the time I had to go to college, a career as a fashion designer was not fathomable. 

Despite being doubtful and hesitant about my dream few years ago, I knew that one day it will all come true. Although only parts of the dream have become true, I am even more BODACIOUS and fired up about what's in store. These levels of motivation are, however, not solely sourced from  points of passion and excitement. There is also a presence of fear, doubt, apprehension and limitations. The only difference is that I refuse to let those negative feelings inhibit me and chock the life out of my aspirations. It's not that it's easy and that all things are rosy. But if I am doubtful of myself, who would then believe in me? Besides, how sustainable is it to rely on other people's affirmation of who I am, what I am good at and my destiny in general? 

So in the name of the year of YES (yes, I expect you all to have watched Shonda Rhymes TED talk), be bold and audacious about life. Let your prayers be outrageous (if you have not asked, how can you receive?).  Even if God knows your prayers before you say anything, it's important to make the first step in faith and go for it. Reach out to life, shock yourself about how much you can and will accomplish. Slow progress is better than none, so you will definitely get where you want to be. 

Walk away from those who call you out on your dreams, telling you to be more realistic, the vision was never theirs in the first place. Acknowledge the presence of limitations, but don't let them turn into the belief of who you are what you can accomplish. No one was ever great by dwelling on the impossibility of their ideas. Let your faith in God, yourself and your abilities be the promise you hold on to. It will not be easy, but it will sure be worth it. 

Remain resilient and unapologetic about your future!

Dress: Cotton On

Booties: Forever21

Earrings: Klines

Love and light always!