Moving to Lagos, away from family and friends, was one of the toughest decisions I made.
It was during the peak of the pandemic here in Nigeria and I knew if things went south, I couldn’t go back “home”
I’ve always had a kicking interest in skincare and dermatology, even though I studied Law.
I’d decided to move to Lagos and train to be a cosmetologist/esthetician, which cost a lot of money. I remembered an old friend saying these words to me, one sunny Tuesday afternoon;
“so you have this much money and you didn’t get the iPhone 11pro max and go on a vacation?”
My focus, however, was on the power of a cosmetology certification. I completed the training, got certified and immediately started working at a Spa, still in Lagos.
I rarely got the chance to see or talk to my family due to the spa schedule. I’d get back home after a long day and an unchanging traffic condition, to several missed calls and messages. Sadly, yet fortunately, they understood.
Over the next 7 months, my body struggled to adjust. I was ill most of the days.
Time went by and I didn’t feel like I was living my true passion. I wanted more; more knowledge, advanced training, more exposure, but was too scared to move on.
“What if no one accepts me?”
Yes, I did know my worth, but I was scared. I didn’t know anyone in Lagos and I was aiming only for the biggest Dermatology clinics.
I woke up to an email from the CEO of one of my “dream” clinics.
At the time, I was in Abuja, a different state, and got an offer that wasn’t very attractive. If I hadn’t gotten that mail, I might have accepted the Abuja offer, who knew? I was far from being desperate, I just wanted a new environment. A lot had happened in Lagos and my little heart was breaking over events my brain refused to let go of.
When I got the mail, I had to travel down for the meeting. Honestly, I was indifferent. I’d decided to return to Abuja if I didn’t get the job. Two days after, I got an offer mail
I couldn’t contain my emotions after reading barely the subject. I SCREAMED, I cried, I laughed, I danced, I pinched myself...hahaha
I immediately forwarded it to my family and everyone chorused;
“You deserve this, Chisom, you really do”
I am licensed to do certain needle works and that always leave people marveled;
Why didn’t you just study medicine?
MORAL: You can be ANY and EVERYTHING you want to be!
Who makes these rules, really? 😉
From a happy “lawyer doctor” (as my friends call me, lol)