There are many reasons I love the month of August.

 

For starters, it's that cool-ish summer month, where you still feel the warmth of the sun, but you're not boiling like a Christmas chicken in the sweltering heat.

 

(Arrrggggh, July!)

 

Also, I know a couple cool people born in the month of August (including one of my siblings) I've checked, and most of my August people are calm-headed, with a perpetually soothing disposition.

 

[Not like their April or November counterparts]

 

*covers face with hands 

 

My best reason for being fond of the month of August has to be because that was the month my blog - this blog - was born.

[Well... technically, my very first post was in late July of 2013. But it was not until August of that year that I fully stepped into "owning a Blog", and got my groove]

 

Every time I feel unsure about anything in life, I go back to my VERY FIRST POST, and see how much growth I've gained, how beautiful - not perfect - things have turned out for me.

 

Sadly, August will also be the month I finally retire this blog, and drop my pen as a 'blogger'.

 

Don't cry just yet! It'll be August of 2023. That is when my blog will clock ten years, and I'll say sayonara to this season of my life.

 

I can never over-flog how much I have grown since I started writing on this blog in August [technically... July] 2013. Something I started just to while away time, but grew into my brand and opened doors for me I could never have seen being opened.

 

From being an ice-breaker at awkward events, to being a source of cheer at job interviews, my blog has shown up for me at times I did not expect.

 

And the things I have learnt!

 

For starters, my blog has taught me consistency and accountability. Being disciplined to turn off Bridgerton from Netflix, sit down and write my blog post for the month or week. Putting out content, even when I felt like running away from all things "Busy Mind".

 

My writing skills have improved, so much! (Even rubbing off on my legal/formal writing at work)

 

I have learnt to research every tiny detail, before putting it out there, and have had to read so much about spheres I knew little or nothing about.

 

I mean, I first learnt about Bitcoin from this blog! (Thanks to Obinna's guest article on the blog). My knowledge on various aspects of life has improved so much, and I've found it easy to be part of any conversation, thanks to my blog.

 

Blogging in itself has taught me things that traditional lawyers don't get to bother themselves with. Like how to tinker with Canva and Desyner, the beautiful well of non-stock photos that Unsplash is. The concept of SEO rankings, and how to leverage marketing via social media. 

The art of public relations, and social media communication.

 

My blog had shown up and saved me from life as a workaholic; when I judged myself purely by my career achievements, and (of course) fell short every time. It helped me understand that I am not the sum of my career: I am so much more.

 

And when I mourned too deep to talk, my blog was there for me to put it in writing. Helped me navigate the confusion that Covid-19 was, and the isolation that came with staying at home. 

 

Infact, writing on the blog has helped me to learn the most about expressing myself; about communicating with others.

 

To master the dexterity in being graceful and polite, while communicating that "your head is not correct, Sir". 

 

I found my voice, through this blog.

 

And through it all.... YOU have shown up consistently.

 

The ones who would read, the ones who would comment. The ones who would send messages on Instagram, when I seem to have disappeared from the face of the earth, like I like to do time to time. The ones who volunteer behind the scenes in building and managing the blog.

 

And the AMAZING guest authors who have graced my blog with their hearts and fingers.

 

Next year, this blog turns 10 years old, and that would be the time to drop the pen, and move on to other things.

 

Paramount of which is finally finishing my first book, getting published and focusing on family.

 

(Ah yes... the most important of them all)

 

As Serena Williams recently pointed out, as women successful in some parts of our career, sometimes, we have to sit and reassess what things to continue to juggle. Somethings sometimes have to give.

 

In my case, the blog has to give. Not from a place of despair, but with the calm knowledge that its season in my life and the reasons it was birthed have all come to fruition.

 

Now, it is time to grow into other things.

 

But don't be sad; wipe that tear-drop osiso. 😃

 

We still have one whole year of gently putting down the pen, in which time, both you (the readers) and I will do best to prepare for my blogging 'retirement'.

 

(El oh El)

 

Thank you for always showing up. Do well to enjoy the last weeks of summer, and gear up properly for the winter ahead.

 

Hasta la vista!

 

Meg.