Amoge's Archives

Friday, 16 January, 2026

06:08 AM

I wake up at 5:34am to my phone lighting up with notifications. It appears my mother is some kind of influencer on Facebook. Yes, Facebook. She has over 5,000 followers. This morning, I’m reading a text from her on WhatsApp, and see that she wants me to open an Instagram and TikTok account for her so she can keep marketing her machine, which “heals from the inside through electromagnetic pulses.” I don’t know why she asks me to do these social media things. I have two genZ sisters who are more than capable of helping with these tasks. But I told her we’ll talk about it later.

It’s past 6 a.m. now, which means it’s time for morning prayer and devotions. In 2026, prayer times are commonly broadcast on the internet, allowing people to pray together from any part of the world. The setup somewhat reminds me of rockstar groups in the early 2000s, except this is for Christian fellowship. When I was a young girl, you had to go to a church physically to pray with others; today, you only need to open your phone to stream live on YouTube.

After morning devotion, I tidy up my room, grab my computer and a notebook and move to the balcony. The balcony sounds alive with the chirping of birds. A rooster crows somewhere in the distance. I whip out my iPhone and photograph a stunning bird which just happened to perch on the tree right in front of me. She seems to be looking for something and moves stealthily from branch to branch until she’s at the very top, then, perhaps disappointed, she flutters away.

In reading online, I discover that it’s a common resident breeding bird in Africa, which is often overlooked despite its bright colours.

I can relate.

Absentmindedly, I wonder when the rains will come. It’s the middle of January, so we’re in the thick of the harmattan season, evidenced by the thick layers of dust everywhere –on the trees, the rooftops of houses, on the table and couch I sit on.

I’m glad it’s Friday. The week had been tough. Deliverables, deadlines and urgent tasks that we impose on ourselves to keep time moving meaningfully. Still, I’m grateful that I’m doing better than I was at this time last year. Isn’t that the purpose of life, to always do better? This gives me hope that this time next year I’ll be doing even better. Travelling and writing, I hope.

I paid rent for an office space again this month, but I think that from February, I will probably try to work from different places again. Explore local libraries, cultural centres, and cafes.

I look forward to the weekend. With no Slack messages or scheduled meetings, I can finally rest and recharge. Read the books on my “to read” list, do my laundry, cook, clean, and sleep in till noon.