Have you ever paused to realize that you’re living in the middle of what you once prayed so hard for? It hit me like a ton of bricks last night.
Back in 2017/2018, when I started blogging, I was OBSESSED with the idea of becoming a travel blogger. I’d daydream about hopping from one beautiful location to another, writing detailed itineraries, sharing where to eat, what to wear, showcasing my outfits against beautiful landscape and sprinkling in all those little travel hacks that would make me that girl.
Back then, it felt so far away a pipe dream. I was so jealous of travel bloggers who seemed to be living the life I could only imagine.
Fast forward to now, and I’ve been constantly travelling for the past three years. I’ve been to places I used to envy on other people’s blogs, I’ve left Lagos several times, travelled across Nigeria with Joli Joni (a travel brand I’m so fortunate to partner with), and even left the country for a work trip. I’ve created itineraries for places like Obudu Cattle Ranch, IITA, shared tips with friends, we’ve organized group trips, planned tours, and even curated travel experiences for others.
Heck, Fowosire Damilola (the founder of Jolijoni) and I were so daring that we took a trip to Abeokuta by train and back to Lagos when the trains were newly launched but I never stopped to realize I was actually living my dream. I didn’t stop to think, “Oh wow, maybe I should write about this?” Instead, I’ve been out here hustling for seven seconds creating Instagram Reels, and convincing myself that a cute TikTok montage of a waterfall counts as storytelling.
Not once did it hit me that I’ve become the very thing I envied, a traveler with stories to tell. Isn’t it funny how life works like that?
Where’s the blogging I dreamed of? Where’s the writing? Where’s the love letter to my 2017 self, saying, “Babe, we did it”?
How I Got Here
You know how it is, social media became the distraction of a lifetime. I mean, let’s be honest: Reels and TikToks are fun. It’s so easy to slap a trending sound on a clip of you hiking up Idanre Hills and call it a day. But somewhere along the way, I forgot my first love, writing.
And it’s sad because I used to envy travel bloggers with their long, detailed posts about their trips to Obudu or Erin Ijesha. Now, I’ve been to these places, created itineraries for friends, and even sent tips to strangers. I LITERALLY LIVED THE DREAM. But I didn’t document it in the way I’d always imagined.
Last night, it hit me, I’m living in my answered prayers. The life I dreamed of in 2017 is my reality now. I’ve seen graceful waterfalls, driven through Nigerian landscapes that look like something out of a movie, and helped other people plan their trips. Yet, I never once paused to say, “Wow, I’m actually doing this.”
It’s wild, isn’t it? How we can be so busy chasing the dream that we forget to appreciate it. We get so caught up in the doing that we miss the beauty of just being.
I have archives full of photos from trips, countless memories of beautiful places I’ve seen, and even draft ideas for blog posts I promised myself I’d write when I finally make it 😊. I made it, Yet, I never truly acknowledged that I was already living the life I prayed for.
I think back to my 2017 self and how she would have given anything to see places like Obudu, Arinta, IITA or even the lesser-known gems I’ve visited with Joli Joni. She would have screamed if she knew she’d one day be curating travel plans for others and helping them explore the world.
The Sad but Sweet Truth
This realization is bittersweet. On one hand, I’m so grateful to see how far I’ve come. But on the other, I regret not documenting it sooner. I’ve shared itineraries, answered countless travel questions, and posted snippets on Instagram, but I’ve never taken the time to truly write about my travels the way I dreamed I would.
So, here I am, goosebumps and all, finally realizing how far I’ve come. I’m grateful for every trip, every photo in my archive, and every friend who nudged me to write about my travels (shoutout to Sike, who’s still waiting for my Obudu blog post).
And let me tell you about Obudu! That place was a whole experience. I wrote itineraries for three people after that trip, three. I was basically a travel agent for free, yet somehow forgot to put it all in a blog post.
Moving Forward
This epiphany has lit a fire under me. I’m dusting off my archives, pulling out my travel notes, and committing to writing about these experiences. I owe it to my younger self who dreamed of this life, to the people who asked for details, and to anyone who’s ever wanted to explore Nigeria and beyond.
Now, I need your help:
Here are some of the places I’ve been. Which one should I write about first? I can’t even remember some places lol.
- Obudu Cattle Ranch (Sike, this one’s for you, finally!)
- Train ride from Lagos to Abeokuta
- Abeokuta (Olumo Rock and all its glory) this was a while ago, I hope I remember details
- The breathtaking waterfalls in Erin Ijesh
- Ikogosi Warm Springs
- IITA
- Osun Osogbo Groove
- Benin
- Omu Resort
Drop a comment, send a DM, or just leave me a shout out if you see me in person. Let me know which one you’re curious about, and I’ll dive right in.
In Case You Need a Reminder
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this epiphany, sometimes, we’re so busy chasing the next goal, the next big thing, or the next travel destination that we forget to appreciate the prayers we’re already living. Pause. Take it in. You might just realize you’re living in the middle of a dream you didn’t even know came true.
Here’s to living, writing, and not forgetting the magic along the way. Cheers to answered prayers.
Your Favourite Travel Blogger,
JD