A Permanent Reminder

I am aware of my uniqueness in comparison to most individuals. More often than not, I find that everything has a purpose and that I always try to explain things in writing. I mean, I’ve discussed getting my first tattoos in more than three articles. This newsletter from Adekunle Gold may have taken the words from my heart because I had been struggling to put into words what I was experiencing. Nobody could have put it better than that. His remarks exactly described how my heart was feeling.

I am at a stage in my life where I’m taking control of all my experiences, past and present. I’m creating pleasant memories that I want to live with. I’m defining who I am and what stories I want to tell the world about myself. I’m choosing my scars as I have chosen my new tattoos. It’s not so much about the scars but about the stories we choose to tell about them. For me, it’s a reminder of the strength of the present moment, it’s a reminder of this season and everything accompanying this season. It’s me telling my story to myself over and over again. My current season of trying new things has been filled with numerous emotional upheavals, heartbreaks, rejections, and other unpleasant experiences. But my tattoo is a reminder that the season does not define me. I recognize I have my own stories, scars that I didn’t choose, realities, and experiences, but I’ve learned to just accept them and let them become a part of who I am. As a result, this tattoo serves as a reminder of the story I am writing with my life and my desire to take control of it. I also want to tell a different story to myself.

“Enjoy today” and “always live” are inked on the lower wrists of both arms. It represents my appreciation for the present moment, the inner strength and resiliency I possess, and my capacity to overcome any difficulty. This is my story, and I have decided to tell the world about Nifemi through this narrative. A boy who was so confident in his abilities that no obstacle could hold him back refused to give up even when no one else did. a young man who pursued his goals aggressively till he succeeded.

​This is the story I am telling to the world. More importantly, this is the story I am telling myself.

Thank you for being Nifemi. Keep being you. No one does it better.