I saw a movie trailer a couple of months ago. I was excited… A new romcom on the way.
I put it in my calendar and I waited.
Today is showed up on Prime Video and I was ready. I got all my evening chores done and I sat down for a treat. Only thing is, it wasn’t a treat.
The movie ‘Maintenance Required’ follows Charlie, a mechanic defending her late father’s garage from a rival shop, unaware that her online crush is the man behind it.
The performance was weak and there was no chemistry.I found myself cringing way too many times.
It was failed execution of a shot at remaking Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan’s ‘You got Mail’. I was a bit disappointed in the male lead, played by Jacob Scipio. I expected better from him, especially after seeing his performance before in Bad Boys for life alongside Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.
I would give it a 2 out of 5 stars…
When will they resume making Romcoms like they used to?
Yesterday I found myself yearning for a good old romcom and I spent an hour and forty five minutes satisfying that yearning with Mrs.Winterbourne (1996).
I want to see something good like the old ones but I want something I can experience for the first time.
Someone tell them movie makers… I’m just a girl, sending a message…Asking them to bring it back like it used to be.
I had this plant for quite some time in a small cup. The plan was to groom it and then eventually move it to a bigger pot.
I kept procrastinating about the move.
While I procrastinated, I complained about how the plant itself didn’t want to grow… But it did. It wanted to grow and bloom.
I was the problem. I kept it in that cup for too long and the roots couldn’t grow deep and so the plant couldn’t grow.
One day, I moved it to a big pot.
The very next day, I saw a new leaf
Five days later, it flowered.
I likened it to the human mind. Just as a plant with deep roots stands firm, draws rich nutrients, and flourishes even in harsh weather, so too does a person whose knowledge runs deep.
When a plant’s roots spread far beneath the surface, it taps into hidden sources of water and minerals that shallow-rooted plants can’t reach. Likewise, when a person builds deep understanding…beyond surface-level facts, they access insights, creativity, and resilience that others might miss.
A deeply rooted mind can weather challenges, adapt to change, and continue to produce meaningful results.
The deeper our learning, reflection, and curiosity, the stronger and more fruitful our output becomes.
Depth sustains growth; both in plants and in people.
⚠️ A little note: This post talks about women’s cycles, hormones, and emotions. It may feel a bit personal or “feminine” for some readers, but I share it in the hope that it resonates with those who need it or helps others understand better.
When PMS Makes the Heart Heavier
Every month, just before my period, I notice how different I feel. It’s not just the tiredness or the headaches, it’s the emotions. They come in waves, stronger than usual, and sometimes they catch me off guard.
Last month, I missed my son, who is away in boarding school. Of course, I always miss him, but this time, the feeling was so intense that I cried for over 24 hours. The longing felt heavier than it normally does, almost unbearable, like a shadow that refused to lift.
I’ve come to realize it’s not just me being “too emotional.” Hormones shift before menstruation, and they play with the chemicals in the brain that regulate mood. What might feel like a small ache on a normal day can become a deep wound during PMS.
Knowing this doesn’t take the sadness away, but it gives me compassion for myself. It helps me understand that I’m not weak…I’m simply human, moving through a rhythm my body knows well. And in those moments, I try to give myself permission to feel, to rest, and to remind myself that the storm will pass.
If you are a Downton Abbey fan like me then you must have been pretty excited to finally get to see ‘The Grand Finale’. It premiered on the 12th of September.
We see Lord Grantham make a difficult decision; handing over the leadership of Downton Abbey to Lady Mary.
The two hour movie takes us through a lot of dramatic events and changes for the entire family. Somehow, everyone seems to be around in the for this final chapter,…except The Dowager Countess of Grantham of course.
I really missed the Dowager’s character. This was played by Maggie Smith. She passed away on the 27th day of September 2024. The movie was actually dedicated to her ‘loving memory’.
For a farewell, it was very well put together.
But is this really the Finale? A part of me hopes for more.
What becomes of Lady Mary? Will she be happy? Will she be lonely? Will the company of her two children be enough for her? Will she find love again? Or will she be too busy running the estate?
Whatever happens, I hope she excells at the new responsibility of Mistress of Downton Abbey.
I started the month with a night of painting with SonTer and my husband’s cousin. It was the first day of the month and a Monday.
The week went well and next thing I know, it’s Saturday and I’m in church with the twins as documented in New Role.
The next day I took off on a road trip to the Nation’s capital, Abuja, with SonTer and Kator. I was to attend a workshop and SonTer was going to spend some time with his cousins.
By Wednesday the 10th, just before I hit the road for my trip back home, I stopped by my friend Nguwa’s place to share a plate of salad that I had actually received from another friend, Ronnie. I just wanted to share the love…smiles.
I got back to find my mom in bad health. I stayed with her overnight and while I wondered what to do in Mother, my sisters and I came up with a solution. I’m happy to say that mom is a lot better today.
Too many other things happened in September…SonTer went back to school to begin a new session…grade 8, I found myself closing late from work on several days, the sunset is on one of those days, I read a little and wrote a little.
The highlight of the month was on Friday the 19th when I joined in virtually for the annual women’s conference at Elevation Church. This conference called ‘Reflect’ by Holly Furtick is aimed at helping women to take time away and reflect and revive themselves. It is all anchored in the word of God.
This morning, I came across Albert Einstein’s words: “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” It hit me differently.
So often, I find myself circling the same issues… approaching them with the same old habits, the same fears, the same mindset that got me stuck in the first place. No wonder the problems linger.
What if the real solution isn’t in pushing harder but in thinking differently? In being open to fresh ideas, new voices, and even a few uncomfortable shifts.
Today, I’m reminding myself that growth means daring to unlearn and also to see things in a new light. The key to my next breakthrough might not be in my old ways, but in my willingness to embrace new thinking.
If you’re facing something heavy, maybe it’s not the problem that’s impossible… it’s just waiting for a new perspective.
Today I saw the movie Jerry Maguire…for the first time.
I’m still asking myself why and how come I never saw it all these years. You see, I’m a Renèe Zellweger fan, plus I love Romcoms… maybe too much.
The weirdest thing happened by the time I was done. I cried. I did not cry because of the world-famous groveling scene performed by Jerry Maguire (played by Tom Cruise).
I cried because of the beautiful friendship between Jerry and his client Rod Tidwell (played by Cuba Gooding Jr.).
What moved me was the unlikely bond between the two men had. What began as a simple business agreement… a sports agent trying to keep his only remaining client… slowly transformed into a story about loyalty, respect, and seeing someone’s worth beyond money or fame.
Rod challenges Jerry to stand for something real, while Jerry’s belief in Rod gives him the courage to play with heart.
Their relationship is built on hard conversations, late-night phone calls, and an almost brotherly honesty. By the time Rod makes that game-winning catch, their victory isn’t just professional; it’s a triumph of friendship, proof that showing up for someone can change everything.
They cried and held each other in the warmest hug I have seen between two men… and so I cried with them.
Jerry Maguire… beautiful film, amazing story, excellent message.
In 2022, I wrote a blog post here titled Social Media Fasting. It has remained the most viewed post to date. I guess there are a lot of people out there searching for a balance between online life and real life. This may be an evergreen relevant topic. I decided to do an updated version.
One night, long after my son and I had said good night, I was tucked in and ready for my usual night routine (book and/or movie) when he walked into my room. He asked if he could sleep in my bed. I said yes, but I also asked why.
He told me he was afraid because of a story he overheard me discussing with some ladies; an incident that had gone viral on the “blue app.” I remembered it immediately; I had been a bit shaken by that story myself.
Later that night, while he slept peacefully beside me, I started to replay the conversation in my head. I realized how much of my attention social media was quietly stealing and how even my child was picking up the fear and anxiety it sometimes carried into my home. I promised myself I would cut down. It was hard at first, but step by step, it became easier.
Social media is powerful. It helps us reconnect with old schoolmates, keep in touch with family, make new friends, and even build businesses. For many, it has been the springboard from “zero to hero.” It has given countless people a voice and platform.
But just as it helps, it can also harm. Negativity, comparison, cyberbullying, endless bad news…it all adds up. And often, the bad overshadows the good.
The truth is simple: balance is the key. If social media brings joy and productivity to your life, then you’re in a healthy place. But if scrolling starts eating into family time, prayer time, sleep, or work…and if it leaves you feeling anxious, sad, or drained, then it may be time to pause.
That’s where a social media fast comes in.
What Is Social Media Fasting?
When we hear “fasting,” we usually think of food. But fasting is bigger than that. it’s about intentionally giving something up to regain focus, clarity, and strength.
A social media fast is a deliberate break from apps and platforms that consume your time and energy. For some, it’s about reconnecting with God. For others, it’s about mental health, relationships, or productivity. Whatever your reason, it’s a reset button for your mind and spirit.
Steps for a Successful Social Media Fast
Here are some steps that helped me and may guide you too:
1. Know Your Why Every fast starts with a reason. Ask yourself: Why do I want this break? What do I hope to gain? Is it a one-time reset, or will I make it a regular practice? Write it down…it will keep you anchored.
2. Set a Duration Decide how long your fast will be. It could be 3 days, 7 days, 21 days, 40 days, or longer. If you run a business or public page, you may opt for shorter fasts or assign someone to manage your accounts temporarily.
3. Prepare Substitutes Scrolling takes time…lots of it. Before your fast, plan what will replace that time. Read books, take walks, journal, learn a new skill, or reorganize your space. Fill the gap with something nourishing.
4. Journal the Experience Keep notes on how you feel, what changes you notice, and what surprises you. This record will encourage you in future fasts.
5. Decide on the Method. Will you keep the apps on your phone and test your self-discipline, or delete them entirely for the duration? Be honest with yourself and choose what will help you succeed.
6. Stay Accountable Tell a trusted friend or family member. Ask them to check in on you. Accountability makes the journey easier.
7. Start…and Stay Focused The hardest part is often the beginning. But once you start, lean on your “why” and resist the urge to “catch up” afterward. Remember: this isn’t punishment…it’s freedom.
After the Fast It’s tempting to dive back in and make up for “lost time.” But doing so defeats the purpose. Instead, return slowly and mindfully. Keep your goals in front of you and continue to protect your peace.
Purpose is the watchword.
A Reflection for 2025 and Beyond
When I first wrote about social media fasting in 2022, I didn’t imagine how relevant it would remain. But three years later, the challenge is even greater. With endless short videos, AI-driven feeds, and constant breaking news, it’s harder than ever to step away.
That’s why fasting from social media isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a survival skill. It’s how we reclaim our time, protect our peace, and stay present with the people and purposes that truly matter.
So maybe it’s time for you too. Will you try a social media fast?
