So I turned 26 on Friday, and for the first time since my 9th birthday – because 9 is super irrelevant when everyone else is turning 10 – I don’t feel different. This time around, the only thing that’s changed is… well… my limp.

According to the homegirl Merriam Webster, one of the definitions of limp is “to proceed slowly or with difficulty”. Between reading for oral exams, going to bed at foolish hours, not exercising, and overall mismanaging my time (hi Netflix), I’s perpetually tired. Hence, limping through life.
I did so much in year 24 trying to tackle my 25 bucket list, and then I spent year 25, well, adulting (ie. wedding planning, working 3 jobs, moving into an apartment with more than 1 room, filing quarterly business taxes, etc). Then there’s Ryan Lochte/white male privilege and Marc Jacobs/loc discrimination and white police officers being afraid of black people simply because they are black. So yeah y’all. I’m exhausted. That’s the main thing that changed as I got older this year.
Besides my limp, you know what else has changed? This here blog.
I’m not posting as much about natural hair, mine or anyone else’s. And that might sadden you, because maybe you started reading because of my natural hair content. Fear not, there are 267 articles about natural hair you can always peruse through! If and when I do something interesting and different with my hair, I will definitely let you know. I am about to put in a protective style so I can really focus on the books, but after that, I might do something drastic like another cut or color!
In case you’re one of the few people who actually reads the blog on a desktop, you might have noticed that I also removed the sidebar, as well as all ads. The previous design was doing too much, and I wanted a more sleek and refined blog look. Plus, with the Mode Media debacle and them owing me over a thousand dollars for advertising and sponsored posts, I’m kind of over ads in general. I’ve yet to decide if and how I want to incorporate ads back into the site, so until I do, enjoy the ad-free reading!
Also, if I hear one more person say “omg you’re only 26!”. YES. I am young, (relatively) mature, and I seem to have it together, PhDing and getting married and all. Listen, Mama and Papa Eboh did not bring me over to America to not be great, ok? I never had a choice. However, my life is FAR from perfect, and God is still working on me. Plus, I am tired. Really tired. Prayerfully, once I’m over the hump of this last exam I can get some much needed rest.
Girl, you have every right to be tired… 26 or not! That break soon come! 😉
I played with this same sidebar-free layout for like… a day (LOL) a couple months ago to have a cleaner look. I switched back because I didn’t have any ideas, just yet, on how to incorporate ads w/o it ’em. There are affiliate links but I won’t always be able to fit them into posts. Meh. I may try again because I do love the distraction-free feel.
Honestly I went through all the work of customizing the code so that everything lined in the middle and my photos were a sensible width – I don’t have the energy to do all that to bring the sidebar back lol. As for ads, I’ve decided to forego them for now, but I’m thinking about maybe doing in post ones? Idk, those annoy me too. I’ll figure it out once I’m done with this exam!
Happy Belated Birthday! That’s a special day because I’ll be getting married on that day next year!
I hope you got some rest and enjoyed your day!
Awww how wonderful!! You picked a great day 🙂
“Mama and Papa Eboh did not bring me over to America to not be great, ok? I never had a choice.” LOL!!!! I legit laughed out loud for real at that comment. I’m tired too. Turned in my dissertation proposal today. Can’t wait for this PhD to be over and to get a real job. Mama and Papa haven’t sacrificed all they have for ME not to be great. You’re right about not having a choice. #Naijaforlife
Yessss good for you!! And you know us Naija gals were born to prosper and nothing else. We can do it!