Is this what progress looks like?

An Issue of the Chidera Peters Dispatch (CPD)

I just got home and immediately picked up my laptop. I’m tired, but I have to write this dispatch because I have committed to showing up weekly. And discipline is doing what you are supposed to do even when it isn’t convenient.

Today was date night, something my husband and I make intentional efforts to have twice a month. We went to see Lion King, the musical. It was the first time we would attend a musical, and boy, oh boy! it was AMAZING 🤩.

I highly recommend seeing the Lion King if you’re yet to experience a musical. It’s a bit expensive though 😬. Tickets are priced according to the seat you pick, + you need to book in advance as it’s almost always sold out. However, it’s a worthwhile experience, and the production is remarkable.

Hubby and I at The Lion King musical in Covent Garden, London

👩🏽‍💻 What I worked on this week

Am I the only one who feels like this week went by quickly? I lost track of the days and was shocked (and argued a little 🌝) when my husband corrected me that the day I was referring to as Wednesday was actually Thursday. Being busy would do that to you, I guess 🤷🏽‍♀️. This week was manic at work; I had to do some more event planning, crisis management, influencer management and A LOT of emails + calls 😮‍💨. But I’m glad that I’m making progress with the event plans.

Then on Friday evening, I had the third session of my Academic Writing BootCamp, of which 22 persons are signed up. I taught them how to reference automatically and do in-text citations without stress. I also showed them how to manually use Microsoft Word to generate references and in-text citations for people who would prefer that.

💡What I’m learning

I am done reading the first book on my reading list for November, an American marriage, and I have jumped into the second one - the girl with the louding voice. Barely a few days into the book, and I am almost done. I love the book!🙃

It focuses on the life of a 14-year-old girl called Adunni and her courage and determination to go after what she wants despite the many hurdles she encounters, from child marriage to domestic violence and child abuse. Don’t worry; I didn’t cry reading it. The author writes in broken English (for lack of a better word). It was difficult to read the words at first, but eventually, it became easy. I should be done reading the book tomorrow; I have less than 90 pages left. The book is 312 pages long, but it didn’t feel that way. It’s a good read, and I recommend it.

🤔 What’s on my mind

Have you ever felt like you have nothing to share? Like there’s nothing spectacular or interesting happening in your life now? I felt that way some days ago.

Pause. I went to pick up a hot bowl of rice from the microwave. My stomach was growling 😖. So now I’m eating between crunching the keypad and looking at my outline for this email. So where were we?

I felt like there was nothing going on with me to share with the world - no new wins, remarkable feats, or achievements. Basically a state of “meh 😕”. So what I’ve been doing instead is looking for beauty in my everyday activities and finding reasons to be grateful, no matter how little.

Instead of waiting for a big or loud achievement to share or make me feel good about myself, I am creating little pockets of happiness in my daily living. I fully immerse myself in the present and choose to see purpose in everything I do. From cleaning the kitchen sink to having work meetings and looking at the beautiful flower in our bedroom. I realise that the small wins are just as remarkable, and there is purpose in the seemingly little things.

Also, I shot a youtube video yesterday, which was basically my thoughts out loud. I was unable to edit it, and for some weird reason, I am calm about it. Usually, when I don’t upload a video to youtube on a Sunday, I feel bad or feel like something is out of place, but today I am actually unbothered and don’t feel any type of way about it. Is this progress? 🤔

🙈 Update on the diet

I mentioned starting a 7-day challenge last week. I am embarrassed to say this, but I didn’t stick to it 😭. Wait, listen, it wasn’t my fault; I had a very stressful day on Wednesday and needed comfort. Food gives me comfort. So, I ate what I wanted to eat that day, and on the subsequent days, I didn’t stick to the diet 100%. However, I still saw results. I am currently 64.8kg, which means I lost 0.4kg, which isn’t bad.

I am starting another diet tomorrow, lol don’t roll your eyes at me! 😂 I just haven’t hit my target weight yet; once I do, I promise that I’ll rest with these diets 🥲. Please wish me luck this week 🙏🏾.

✍🏽 Quote of the week

There is no quote this week, but please drink lots of water and stay hydrated. I say this a lot, but it’s for your benefit. Promise me you’ll drink lots of water this week 🥺?

Have an amazing week ahead 😁!

XOXO