It’s strange, isn’t it?
How as you grow older, you often find yourself walking through memory lane to the experiences that brought you joy back then, you attempt to relive them now, just to feel that same kind of pure happiness again.
I can still remember Eid.
The smell of the day, the light showers after prayers, and the FanYogo that always marked the official start of the festivities, a tradition I’m still determined to keep alive. (Chocolate on Eid is non-negotiable; SuperYogo is for regular days.)
I remember end-of-year parties too in school, the excitement of the party packs, the food, and the joy of being surrounded by friends.
I remember our make-believe plays as well, acting out our favourite TV shows with full commitment. I was almost always the Pink Ranger, undefeated, back then, everything felt possible. As the eldest sibling, I was untouchable during these plays and my brothers would get so mad and frustrated (laughs in agbaaya).
I remember summer holidays, the feeling of absolute freedom. We had all the time in the world to play with our siblings and friends. We'd make fake money with paper, turn the compound into a pretend market, and sell nonsense to each other with pride. One summer, I tried learning how to ride a bicycle and I can now confidently say, God forbid I’m ever in a life-or-death situation where someone’s survival depends on me pedalling a bike to safety.
Then there were the owanbes,matching outfits with Daddy and Mummy, cold orobo Coke, stuffing our faces with chicken and smoky jollof, and collecting “free money” from every smiling adult we could find.
Those times? They were full. They were fun.
There was time…time to indulge, to play, to laugh, to be with the people we loved.
No work deadlines.
No tedious exams.
No clinicals scheduled during holidays.
No pressure to have it all figured out.
And you know what else? Our parents handled the planning.
They created space for joy. They orchestrated the moments we now hold so dear.
But now that we’re older?
That responsibility is ours.
We often get swept into the sea of productivity, ambition, and figuring life out. We convince ourselves we don’t have time to play, to laugh, to run around the park…I mean why would we, the 7-figures won’t make itself.
But maybe that’s the lie adulthood keeps whispering.
Making Time, On Purpose
Life will always find ways to get busy. It throws curveballs in the form of demanding bosses, 8 a.m. lectures, or endless tasks on your to-do list. It hardly ever slows down.
But what if I told you that none of those things, not even the madness of your busiest days, can stop you from creating memories with your loved ones?
So far you’re intentional, and you make the effort, there’s always a way.
You don’t need a big budget or a perfect plan.
You just need heart and consistency.
It’s not about the big and expensive plans, the aesthetics and all that, it is more about presence.
Weekly movie nights with your partner, sibling, or roommate.
Taking that group hangout out of the group chat and into a calm, sunny spot.
Cooking together, even if it ends with ordering takeout.
Sharing a bowl of sour Ijebu garri while arguing passionately about football clubs with your bros.
Or just stepping out of your workplace for an evening stroll while calling someone who matters.
These moments might seem small now, but they’re the ones that stick.
They’re the ones that last.
They’re the ones that become the stories you tell.
Whatever it is you’re chasing, a degree, a dream, a better job, a new phase of life, there’s likely a finish line ahead.
And one day, you’ll get there. You’ll break through. You’ll move forward.
But through all the changes, one thing will remain: the people who loved you through every version of yourself.
The family you were blessed with.
The friends you chose along the way.
The home you created with the people you care about.
So instead of clinging only to the past, replaying old memories over and over…choose to create more intentionally. Plan ahead. Make room for joy. Schedule the hangouts. Take the walk. Send the voice note.
Because in the end, we don’t just remember the people we loved,
We remember the moments we shared with them.
💭 So here’s a question for you:
What memory are you going to create on purpose this week?
Thank you. I needed a reminder.
Beautiful work
This is beautiful. I'd be intentional about creating memories from now on.