I have one less thing to worry about
An issue of the Chidera Peters Dispatch (CPD)
I don’t even know where to start. I’m sorry I didn’t write to you last week; I wasn’t feeling great. Even now, I am not 100 but definitely feeling better.
I had a bit of anxiety last week waiting for my blood and hormone tests. Now that the storm is over, I can share a bit more detail. The blood test was to check if I was pre-diabetic. Remember I mentioned in a previous email that PCOS predisposes one to diabetes since a blood sugar imbalance causes it. Well, the good news is that my blood sugar is normal. Also, the hormone test came back OK. There were some elevated hormone levels which are not surprising due to having PCOS, but overall, my vitals look good. So, that’s one less thing to worry about. Thank God.
👩🏽💻 What I worked on
I had the opportunity to host a money session on investing for Non-UK citizens at Accenture this week, and it’s such a big deal for me! In case you didn’t know, Accenture is one of the top consulting firms in the UK, and it was such an incredible opportunity to share what I know. Most importantly, I was recommended for this speaking gig by someone who follows me on socials - thanks again, Nneoma. Teaching is something that energizes me, and it felt soooo good to be back at it. Looking forward to more speaking opportunities this year! 🎉
💭 What I’m learning
I applied some advice I got from the book I’m currently reading to a conversation with my boss regarding my increased workload. I asked for what I wanted, not what I thought I could get. And there’s so much power in that; sometimes, we compromise on what we want because we would rather play it safe than act in our best interest. But it’s always advisable to speak up for yourself. If something doesn’t feel right to you, it may be time to speak up. You may not always get the response you want, but you will be glad that you advocated for yourself, especially in the workplace.
Another update is that I’m currently participating in a personal styling coaching programme. Combining outfits and knowing what to wear isn’t something that comes naturally to me. Some of us don’t have that skill, lol🌝. And since I wasn’t born with it, I’m learning how to elevate my personal style, and so far, I’m learning a lot and hope to see some improvement.
💼 Money Corner
When we hear “investing”, we almost always think of money - putting money into some asset to generate income. But investing isn’t always monetary. Investing could also mean doing things that will increase your ability to earn, provide returns in other means, e.g. a healthier life or even help you gain new knowledge. Investing could also look like this:
Taking up a professional certification programme
Hiring a coach or mentor to help you achieve your personal or professional goals
Reading books or listening to educational podcasts
Practising self-care and prioritising your physical and mental health
Attending events to meet people
Pursuing a passion for fun or generating extra income
That would be all for today. Please use sunscreen and drink lots of water.
XOXO - Chidera