First of all.. I'd like to show my appreciation by saying thank you to this community #ladiesofhive for this great opportunity.. I was thinking of the best next post on my blog and while I was going through updates I came across this weeks contest on Ladies of hive and it gave me a great insight_ like "yes this is it"
A big shout out to the sponsors and contributors of the weeks contest 
This is actually my first post on ladiesofhive..
Looking back_ Moving forward..
Sometimes I just pause and think… how did I even get here?
A picture of my new hairstyle
I didn’t come from plenty. In fact, I started from quite a small place — rough path, uncertain turns. As the first and only daughter in a family of 3 boys, life had its weight on me early. My parents did their best, God knows they did. But there were seasons when "best" wasn’t enough to cover all the needs.
I remember entering school with the little money I had saved. Yes, my parents supported me, but it could only scratch the surface of what I truly needed. I didn’t blame them; I knew if they had more, they would have given more. So I had to find a way. I started doing small businesses, working for people, learning to survive, and slowly finding myself. I had fun where I could, but mostly, I had to grow up fast.
This is a screenshot I took on ladiesofhive this post is inspired by her question for the week
Then came my first real job — receptionist at a hospitality company. That job taught me so much. To be honest, I wasn't the most faithful worker. We didn’t steal, no, but some of us found ways to use the company’s resources to earn extra money because our salary didn’t match the effort. It was tough, but we made it work. That little extra was what I used to boost my already existing business and open my first shop.
I started really small — recharge cards, nylon bags, engine oil… I even had to go to people's shops to introduce my business during my off days while I was still working and of course when I'm not in school or studying... anything legit I could move. I was on the road 7 days a week, it got to the extent that I was so stressed that my slim self almost disappeared (that's an exaggeration though) and whenever I got home, immediately I hit my bed I doze off up until I passed that stage and became intentional about giving myself rest. From there, I kept building. Today, I’m a graduate with a B.Tech in Project Management Technology. I got married, stayed in the state where I studied, and continued growing my business. Now I run a shop that includes thrift contributions (Ajo) and a variety of non-perishables. And I won't forget to add that I'm a mom too.
Is it easier now? No. But I’m not where I started, and for that I’m deeply grateful.
Sometimes I use my story to remind others: you don’t always choose how you start, but you can choose your direction. Whether it’s hardship or comfort, the path you take is still a choice — conscious or not. And we must own it.
The journey isn’t over. In fact, it still feels like I’m climbing. But the difference now is… I know I’m going somewhere. And I’ve seen enough to believe that I won’t stop here.
A picture of my friend and sis making my hair I didn't pay her o
To all of out there thinking it's too hard a song writer once said "count your blessings and name them one by one and it will suprise you what the lord has done"
When you look back from your little beginnings and reflect to see where you are now even though it may not seem like it. Believe me if you are in this platform and you're active.. you're actually moving forward.