Hi Friends! So… I’m officially in Year 39. Thank you to everyone who sent birthday wishes (after my threats) and presents. This over-the-top, main character-ish, May baby appreciated every second of it.
Last weekend, in honor of the last year of my thirties, I threw myself a little celebration themed Kunbi’s Senior Year. Think of it as a homecoming for my thirties—a tribute to every lesson, every glow-up, and every version of me that’s existed in this past decade. I said it then and I’ll say it again—every season is worth honoring. And let me tell you, I honored this one.
For this celebration, I had a very specific vision: turn a regular brunch into a proper senior-year kick-off. It took a full week of back-and-forth with ChatGPT—feeding it references, tweaking fonts, chasing the right tone—before the screen finally mirrored what was in my head. Once the artwork was locked, Canva became my assembly line and the UPS Store my print shop. Crest signs? Check. A scrap book style one-pager with birthdays 30 through 38? Check. Report card place cards? Absolutely—complete with grades for each guest in categories like “Timeliness,” "Loyalty," and (for the Nigerians in the room) “Razzness” lol.
As an activity, I had this pocket photo printer from amazon which connects directly to cellphones so we could take pictures, print mini photos and label them. I tasked my friend with taking these pics (sorry Mis lol) and then I would label them random awards like- “Best Eyes” or “Prom Queen,” etc lol—instant keepsake, zero fuss. Add a burn-away cake that revealed “#KunbisSeniorYear” and teacher’s-pet cookie favors stamped with the crest, No rentals. No twelve-hour setup. Just printed paper, tiny tech, and some of the people who’ve cheered me through every single year on that timeline.
Now that the celebration’s done, I’m starting this new year feeling very clear—about who I am, and who I want to keep being.
My biggest wish for Year 39? Enough with the negative self-talk.
Here’s a snippet from my journal (and by journal I mean my Notes app, obviously):
Self-awareness? Yes.
Self-critique? Sure.
But self-destruction and self-bullying? We’re not doing that anymore.
I am light in this world. I’m meant to shine—and in my shining, help others do the same. I’ve spent too long dimming my own brilliance in the name of humility, palatability, or fear. No more. I will be myself in every space. Not a softened version. Not a shrink-wrapped version. This version. This self. The one that God has filled me with so much inside. The one I’ve fought to become. She deserves room.
I am loved… deeply by those who love me and that is absolutely okay. The way my family and friends hugged me tight this week- whew what an honor.
Another thing I have to say out loud—I am creative. Wildly. I know for some of you that sounds like a “duh,” but I’ve spent years brushing it off, treating it like a fluke or a façade. Nah. I am and it’s okay to say that. It’s more fact than flex. And something about 39 is demanding that I stop shying away from it. It’s time to grow up and walk like I should. Accept the flowers. Own the light.
If there’s one phrase that’s been echoing in my spirit lately, it’s this:
Squeeze the juice. Out of life.Out of love. Out of your gifts. Out of every single opportunity to be present and alive.
Because this life… at least this earthly life… na one. there are no do-overs once it’s done. And I’m determined to use it all up.
So here’s to 39. To more joy. More presence. More showing up. More of me.
Let me leave you with something that made me cackle this week.
Have a great week!
KO