Reflecting on my life’s defining moments, I am reminded of the power of resilience, self-improvement, and reclaiming one’s voice. My story began unfolding at 21, during my final year at Benue State University, Makurdi, where I studied accounting.

_A Daunting Health Challenge_

At 21, I faced a daunting health challenge. After experiencing severe symptoms, I sought medical attention but got misdiagnosed with intestinal obstruction and a suspected mass. However, a predestined encounter with a competent doctor at Jos University Teaching Hospital revealed the accurate diagnosis: ovarian torsion due to a twisted ovarian cyst.

Lessons Learned

The subsequent surgery and recovery marked a pivotal moment in my life, teaching me valuable lessons about life, family, resilience, finding purpose in pain, surviving storms, making comebacks, the journey of healing emotionally, and ultimately the importance of seeking and knowing GOD for yourself.

My journey has been far from smooth. But the learning curves continue to help me build character and keep the steam of my core values. Having had two surgeries, battled complications, and faced health challenges, including asthma, pneumonia, advanced tuberculosis, and uterine fibroids, daily I commit myself not to allow my health or monumental marital and financial setbacks to define me. I have been able to pen down my thoughts and lessons learnt in my ebooks, MAKING A COMEBACK, and BEYOND BROKENNESS, which I give for free to those battling with personal growth, abuse and childhood traumas.

_Empowering Others_

In 2009, I founded the Phenomenal Youth Foundation, now Deborah’s Palm Humanitarian Initiative (DPHI). Despite health struggles, I remained committed to empowering women and young girls, promoting awareness of mental health, and helping others heal from childhood traumas and abuse.

Through DPHI, I partnered with schools in Kano State to:

– Run awareness campaigns on substance abuse

– Organize cognitive development programs like spelling bee competitions and debates on social issues

– Host DPHI maiden edition of Wo-Man Evolve Conference (WEC) to create awareness of domestic and dating violence and support survivors of domestic violence

With increased funding and partnerships, I envision replicating in Niger State and expanding our programs to:

1. Economically empower vulnerable women and young girls. Her money, Her Power.

2. Provide skill acquisition training for young girls and boys

3. Promote mental health awareness and support groups

4. Enhance quality early childhood education for kids in underserved rural areas

My journey has taught me:

1. Resilience in the face of adversity

2. The importance of self-awareness and self-care

3. Empowering others to find their purpose

Learn more about Deborah’s Palm Humanitarian Initiative at dphinitiative.wordpress.com

I am Juliana E. Olokpo on Facebook

@mommyj on TikTok.

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As a bit of a nerd about all things health-related, I was seriously surprised when I opened my weather app one day and saw a warning that the air quality was poor. Living in France, the second biggest city near the ocean and nature, I always imagined and assumed that all these things meant that my health and those around me were in good hands. But alas, that is not the case. The reality is that climate change is real and affects us all in one way or the other. No matter where we live, how much money we have or how “developed” the country we live in is. Air quality is usually something that many of us worry about when the topic of climate change is discussed. Various searches across the internet define air pollution as the prevalence of particles in the air that are not good for human respiratory and overall health. This is caused by burning fossil fuels, industrial emissions, wildfires, openly burning garbage, construction and demolition, to name a few. And while alone, these might not cause significant air quality issues, put together, and done constantly, poor air quality problems start to arise. 

So what exactly can we do about this: 

While some of the major issues can only be resolved at a governmental and industrial level, ensuring that we have a clean and breathable planet is in all our best interests. This is why I have compiled two lists of how to improve air quality in your city and your home.

Three ways to improve air quality in your city: 

1. One of the easiest ways to improve air quality in your city or any city you visit is by using public transportation or bicycles to get around. If either of these is not possible, then carpool with colleagues and friends to and from work and other locations. 
2. Another great way to improve air quality in your city is by buying local products and produce. This is because of the energy and fuel used to transport products and the food we eat. So instead of buying fruit and vegetables from the other side of the world, look for products grown in your region or country. 
3. Adopt gardening where ever and whenever you can. As we all know, plants are a great natural air cleanser. This is why having plants is a good way to improve air quality in your city.

Three ways to improve air quality at home: 

1. In the same way, planting more greens on your balcony or in your garden is a great way to improve air quality, and so is having plants in your home. These help to detoxify and clean your house for better air quality. 
2. Another step toward better air quality in the home is through regular and thorough cleaning of your home especially places like carpets and couches that tend to hold a lot of dust. I have invested in a robot vacuum cleaner I use daily throughout the house. Not only does it have strong suction to help keep my carpets clean, but I am always surprised by how much dust is in the vacuum dust bag after each cycle. If a robot is not for you, then a simple vacuum cleaner or a good shake outside will do. 
3. Lastly, a great way to improve air quality in the home is through the use of cooking vents. These not only catch any splatter and food thrown around when cooking, but they also surprisingly help with the overall air quality in the home.

So whether you are a health junkie like me looking to make your home and city more breathable, or someone with respiratory issues, I hope this article gives you some ideas of how you can do your part to improve air quality indoors and outdoors. 

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If you are like me then you are probably overall the articles, social media posts and talks about living a healthier life. And whilst I for one am not one for telling anyone they need to change. I can say that when it comes to our health, we can all do better. Not just for things like losing weight but also for overall health. Personally, I’ve been really inspired to get healthier.

With an active toddler, a busy social life, and not one but three jobs, I feel I need to pay particular attention to my health to keep up with all of it. Have good mental health and be able to climb the five flights of stairs to our apartment. And whilst I currently am not in my best health with a tooth abscess and on antibiotics. I am still trying to implement some of these healthier habits throughout my days and weeks.

1. Drink more water: We all know that drinking water is good for you and as hard as it can be, one of the ways I like to up my water intake is by starting my day with a glass of lemon water in the morning. And ending it with a glass of water in the evenings. Throughout the day (when I remember, I like to carry around my glass water bottle with me that reminds me to hydrate.
2. Move your body: Whilst moving your body every day can seem impossible. It is necessary. Moving your body does not have to mean doing an intense cardio session or hitting the gym. It can be as simple as taking a walk or even doing some sort of yoga or stretching.
3. Eating more fruit and vegetables: As a mom with a toddler. I often find that the best way to get my toddler to implement healthy behaviour’s in her diet and food choices is by doing the same. This means snacking on peas instead of chips. Eating lots of fruit and making all of this tasty by adding vegetables like spinach to my smoothies, or reaching for an apple instead of a biscuit when I find myself needing a midday snack. Again how far you take this is up to you. And you do not always have to take the healthier option. The name of the game is balance and accountability.
4. Get more sleep: As a struggling insomniac, I can tell you now how hard this is for me. But I do n-know that when I sleep more, I feel better and can be more productive throughout my day. Aiming for quality sleep is just as important as quantity, which means ensuring your room is comfortable, clean and electronics free for better sleep.
5. Connect with loved ones: With so much being thrown our way the past few years, one of the best ways to take care of our health is by talking to loved ones. I know that it can feel like you are being a burden when sharing struggles with those you love. But trust me when I say that it is well worth it. And it is better than getting into a mental funk that is hard to pull yourself from. So whether it’s sending funny memes or calling a friend in the morning. Or my personal favourite, getting in cuddles with my daughter every night. I always make sure to find ways to connect with those I love.

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I’ll be the first to admit that I love a good shopping spree. But with the economy being what it is and with a demanding and very expensive toddler to take care of, the days of splurging on designer pieces are far behind me. At least in the way that I used to. That is until I found Vinted. A popular second-hand online shopping platform here in France. Vinted has every high street and designer label item you can think of, and as I’ve discovered, there is a wide range of people who use Vinted, from stylists, editors, moms, housewives, students and everyone in between. In other words, you can find your Prada skirt or Gucci shoes for half or a third of the retail price, which is a HUGE relief. Not only is Vinted highly beneficial for my wallet and future spendings, but it will also come in handy for all the Christmas shopping that I want to do this season. I will find second-hand items of GREAT quality or those that haven’t even been used yet. I can also gift these items to my loved ones. 

Since using Vinted, I have also been able to offload items that I no longer wear and things my daughter has grown out of, which has been a great help in decluttering our cupboards whilst knowing that another family will get great use from the sold items. And as the heading of my article suggests, I have realized that whilst some of us may be put off from buying second-hand items predominately based on the stigmas around second-hand shopping, it is important to remember that second-hand shopping is highly beneficial. Not only is it a great way to save money, but it is also better for the environment AND is not as disgusting as people have made it out to be. Especially when so many measures have been put in place for your health and safety. 

Setting up and reselling second-hand clothes or home goods is also worthwhile. It is actually an excellent way to repurpose some of the goods you no longer need and perhaps benefit financially from that. It’s a perfect side hustle. After all, who doesn’t love a passionate side hustle? But if you are simply looking to update your look or even sell some items. Don’t overlook your local or national second-hand selling platforms as a starting point, with most sites and spaces offering support and insurance on items. You will likely get the real deal instead of some knock-off or something that looks nothing like what you ordered. 

The post Why second-hand shopping is not the taboo we were brought up to think it is appeared first on Sheevolves.world.

For most young black girls living in remote rural and underdeveloped villages, dreams and goals seem arid and/or impossible to reach. I know that because I was once that young black girl whose dreams were clouded by the societal misconceptions of what a woman can and should be. Having a conversation with Noxolo felt like revisiting the long-buried memories of my childhood. A time when I had an irresistible burning desire to be heard, seen, and recognized for what I could offer the world. And for a moment, I wished someone had told me that I wasn’t crazy for wanting to be more than what society had dictated for my life. Which is why sharing Noxolo’s passion for art, an area predominantly known to be a “white man’s field”, was an honour. This is how our conversation went:

MK: Briefly tell me about your upbringing, qualifications, aspirations and hobbies.

Noxolo: I am 22 years old. My grandmother raised me in Ntinini village, in KwaZulu-Natal. Later in 2016, I moved to Gauteng to complete grade 11 and 12 at Boitumelong Secondary School, located in Tembisa township (Sedibeng section). In 2018, I started my National Diploma in Food Technology at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). Now, I am a quality intern at Kellogg’s Springs Plant.

I do a lot of writing. I write short stories, poems and some of the poems have been published by Avbob poetry. I was also shortlisted in writing a children’s anthology by Kwasukasukela books. And last year, I fell in love with painting and drawing.

My hobbies include acting, monologues, writing, painting, watching animation and comedy movies. My greatest aspiration is to bring change to the world through art.

MK: At what age did the desire to create art through writing, painting, and drawing arise?

Noxolo: When I was nine years old, my mother passed away. Life became so hard because I started a new life with my grandma’s family- my mom’s aunt. I found it so hard to adapt and fit in at my grandma’s place from the very start. One of the reasons that made it challenging to adapt was that no one really understood me because I was slightly introverted. My heart was constantly aching and bleeding because the scene of my mother’s last days was stuck in my mind, and I had no courage to talk about it. So during those difficult times, pen and paper became my friends. At first, I used to write letters for my late mother. That is when I realized that writing was my healing process, making me feel happy.

I fell in love with poetry after reading the poetry anthology titled “Izinkwazi Zothukela” by M. Makhanya. I was intrigued by the nature of poems, and I got a lot of inspiration from that book. So, in 2017, I started to write poems. Over the years, I have been writing about hope and love. Fortunately, some of those poems have been published. I love poetry because it allows me to touch souls and hold the hands of the hopeless.

The idea of a painting came when I was building characters for my short story. In brief, the story narrates as follows: “There was this young widow named Grace. After her husband and her only child lost their lives in a horrific car accident, Grace was left swimming in the pool of tears, breathing pain, and there were absolutely no words that could make her feel better.” So from that, I asked myself, “what is it that can possibly make my protagonist “Grace” feel better?” And the answer that came to my mind was “paintings”. And instantly, I knew I had to try to execute this idea.

I chose painting because sometimes words aren’t enough, but what we see is all that matters, and we can analyze or narrate our stories from what we see. So, when Grace glanced at the wall, she saw this painting that whispered in her ears. And suddenly, a smile appeared on her face. Well, that’s how I started painting. Some of the paintings I’ve done taught me that painting is not about perfection but the emotions it evokes when looking at it.

MK: Ever since you started writing, did you have any challenges that made you want to quit? Challenges such as; prolonged writer’s block or inevitable personal challenges that made writing seem pointless.

What did you do to overcome those challenges?

Noxolo: I have never been in a position where I felt like quitting because every single day, it’s like a new fabric that I use to create stories. However, like anyone else, I have had challenges here and there. The major challenge is that I tend to jump from one story to another before finishing the previous one from a writer’s perspective. Ironically, I know how to fix this problem, but I still repeatedly find myself hurdling the same situation.

At some point, I realized that my dream of having a successful novel on the market was probably a vague idea. So last year (2020), I decided to focus only on poetry and do the collection titled “The rainbow of feelings”. In the turn of events, I even transformed some of the pieces I never finished into free verse poems. And by God’s Grace, I believe that I will finish it.

MK: Most often, it’s either you draw and paint, or you write. It’s rarely both. You are amongst the few artists who them simultaneously, and on the other hand, you still managed to pursue a career in food sciences. What’s the trick?

Noxolo: That’s a good question because food science is a busy industry, primarily where I work. However, if whatever you have on your plate makes you happy, it doesn’t affect the scale. Art is my therapy and forever joy. Sometimes I thank God for it because it helps me ease the stress of work.

MK: Would you, at some point, consider creating art (through creative writing, painting and drawing) as a full-time career? Or is it something you want to keep as a side hobby/side-hustle?

Noxolo: No. I don’t think I would be financially stable if I could consider art as a full-time career. It’s better as a hobby/side-hustle.

MK: Most people see art as a risky and unstable career. What was the primary inspiration behind your vision to “create” from such a young age? But I guess you have answered it, or is there something you would want to add to that?

Noxolo: I totally agree. Art is a risky career. However, if you try to blend it with other things, the statement changes. That’s what I want to do. At some point, I want to integrate art with food science. Part of my vision board includes a dream to start a coffee shop business with a unique touch of art in it. Depending on my customer’s preferences, it won’t be just a cup of coffee, but a cup of coffee topped with an original quote or an illustration.

MK: You have a creative mindset. Open-minded and goal-driven young individual. I love that about you. What message(s) would you say you are trying to translate through your art?

Noxolo: *All shall be well*.

It might not be today, but eventually, everything will fall into place. I want people to know that some things are beyond our control. Like when God has decided to agree with life’s enemy, life has no choice but to come to an end. So, what can we say without saying goodbye?

Mostly, I want people to see a glimpse of hope through my work.

MK: When you hear the phrase “Start Now”, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?

Noxolo: There’s no better time than now, and you’ll never know your capabilities until you try. I know this because I wouldn’t have ever known that I could paint if I didn’t try.

MK: Last but not least, what does self-evolution mean to you?

Noxolo: To me, self-evolution is about being aware of your strengths and weaknesses. The corrective actions you take to improve yourself and to know what keeps you going.

The post Noxolo Zungu says that Art is her therapy and forever Joy appeared first on Sheevolves.world.

Lately, I have been focusing my spending on timeless and elegant pieces that will hopefully last me a couple of years. After spending most of my money in my 20’s on trendy items from places like Zara and H1M. I started to realize tat whilst these items look good in the moment, most of them did not have staying power in my closet. Furthermore, even when buying from these stores, I wasn’t focusing on their more high end, natural material items. But as the years have gone by and my spending has gotten a little wiser, I am more aware of what I buy and think about how long I want it to last me.

Here are a list of four pieces I always spend a little extra on.

1. Good denim: As a mom, denim has never been more important to me than it is now. And finding the perfect denim piece often costs a pretty penny. Which is why I like to buy from second hand clothing stores and online platforms. I also like to ensure that I am buying 100% cotton denim that will keep its hold rather than blends that can stretch out and look outdated fast
2. Knitwear: As a South African living in France, I never understood the purpose of good knitwear. But now I know better with slightly colder weather that a good knit can be the difference between suffering all winter, or feeling cold and grumpy all winter long.
3. Flat shoes: As a heel lover, I never thought the day would come when I was more concerned with comfort than style. one the less I now know that good footwear can make or break my day (and outfit). From ballet flats, to good trainers. Owning and investing in timeless flats helps keep me feeling confident and ready to tackle the day.
4. Timeless jewelry: Nothing makes me feel more put together than putting in a pair of earrings everyday. I feel like no matter what I am wearing, adding some hoops or dainty earrings helps to make my outfit. Which is why these days my birthday wish list only includes good quality, sustainable jewelry that I can wear ever single day. This doesn’t mean breaking the bank either as some pieces are not too expensive and often go on sale.

What are some pieces you dont mind investing in?

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