My life as an immigrant

As a kid, I loved moving from one house to another. Blowing a kiss and saying goodbye to the walls which I formed a bond was bittersweet. Packing and unpacking, a delight to me. So when my partner and I discussed the idea of moving to a new continent, the joy I felt. 

With tears, family hugs, we turned our backs to the country where we had spent the formative years of our lives. The trip was my first time on an international flight. I never had the opportunity to follow my mum on her many trips, and this time I had a granted visa. The flight was a long one and being on my period made me super uncomfortable but the thought of a new life and not knowing what was ahead had me on cloud nine. Finally, I woke up from a loud applause made during the long-awaited announcement by the pilot. After the welcome words", we moved into the city that has become our home for God knows how many years. So how has the journey been so far, I ask myself this question while netflixing and chilling. 

As an immigrant, depending on your personality building a support system may take time. Being an immigrant in a new place with my introverted personality has been difficult. I intentionally have to work on myself to actually come out and meet people. Probably more positive steps will be taken in the coming year. It is kinda weird but I constantly think of ways to organize events that focus solely for meetups, probably a person to catch the latest Star Wars with or hang out a bar. The idea has just been moved from my head to this blog post and hopefully may come out in fruition. Are networking skills every human has to work on? Networking is  a word I repeatedly this last quarter. 

Now to making a living. The job search has been crazy. Back home, I had my small business with rainy and sunny days, on some occasions, I could depend on family but at this stage right now, we have to rebrand ourselves to ensure we have food on our table and are able to support those long-term dreams we have as individuals, which means I have to go back to a 9-5 to support my accessories business. (Just incase, you can check @okikisola on Instagram) to place an order. 

Have I mentioned the food?. This is one aspect that has required the most adjustment I think. During my first days, I would joke that all owners of restaurants sat in a meeting where they discussed the spices to use for cooking each week. Food had the same taste and it didn't matter what particular restaurant or type of cuisine. For me, everything tasted the same, i craved small chops, suya, asun, sharwama. Maybe it was just my taste buds or the fact that i did miss food from back home. Another thing I experienced with regards to food is that home cooking especially for office lunch helps you save magnificent cost than eating except you are looking for junk, then by all means order away. 

Dear All, My name is Kanyinsola and I am a coffee lover🙈These are words I never thought will see the light of day but this lifestyle was induced by the weather. 

We also had a bit of difficulty with accommodation as most landlords we came across were unwillingly to rent out their apartments since we had no credit and rental history, not to even mention, we were without jobs at the time. I think the apartment search deserves a post on its own but we had to stay in a regular bed & breakfast for two months. Its been some months in the new land and I am glad things have gotten better, still working on my meeting people phase, adjusting to the weather and making baby steps on my career and business journey. I miss my friends, the food, the parties (though I am mocked that I never went to parties), the church vibes, my hair stylist, the cheap cloths back home but this is my new life and I have to make sure I enjoy every part of this new journey. 

Sending you love, 

Kanyinsola