Feminism and Social Criticism by Minna Salami

FEMINISM. SOCIAL CRITICISM. CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN THOUGHT. THE POLITICS OF KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION.

The best kept secret for youth

By 17 Comments

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It’s my birthday today. I’ve given myself two birthday presents.

One was a day with nature. I started the day with a long and playful walk in the woods. The forests in Finland (where I am right now) make me feel like a little girl; the strawberries you can pick and munch on as you go; the butterflies flapping their colorful capes; the lakes that you stumble upon and can take a dip in.

I feel young today, even younger than the 33 that I am. I’m staying with mummo, my grandma, who turned 90 on Monday. I’m in a residency for the elderly. Last year, I wrote about the pace and spirituality I found in this home. I am experiencing the same sentiments again, being around old people is the best way to feel young. It makes you appreciate youth in a different way that any miracle potion or beauty secret ever could. I’m not talking about the physical element of youth, although that’s there too of course. What I feel strongly whenever I’m around old people is that I still have so much to learn about life, things that only time can teach. And I understand that the curiosity that I still have towards life is youthful.

I’ve recently also made some time for the only thing that truly makes me forget the concept of time, namely creative writing. I’ve been working on a poetry book about journeys through the spaces of home, diaspora, relationships and more. I just finished the last piece and so my second gift to myself is a completed poetry collection. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with it but I think I want to share it with you guys here on my blog. Guess I’ll need to figure out how to publish an e-book. Sigh. Lol.

Or maybe ill just get myself a third gift and pay someone to do it for me. Any suggestions?

Well, either way, lots of love and youth to you from Tampere, Finland.

Comments

  1. Happy Birthday! What a lovely way to spend your personal new year, wishing you the very best. I am looking forward to reading your poetry.

    Reply

    • I meant to return to the comments once I got back from Finland, I knew there was something I needed to check. Thanks for the link!

      Reply

  3. Happy birthday Minna!

    Little as those strawberries are I already want to be in Finland munching on them hehe
    Very inspiring post, I wish you all the best in the years ahead.

    Looking forward to your poetry e-book!

    Reply

  5. Happy Birthday! I agree that spending time with those older and wiser is a recipe for regaining youthfulness; it also works to spend time with the young (I guess the trick is to avoid those from 20-40):).

    Congrats on the book of poetry!

    Reply

  7. happy birthday to you, Minna! 33 is indeed young and I hope your curiosity towards life and its mysteries remains with you for some time. enjoy finland and your mummo. love.

    Reply

  9. Hey Minna! I’m excited to see your poetry book!!!

    I completely agree about being around elderly people making you appreciate your youth. I think we live in a culture obsessed with youth and it sounds silly but sometimes I feel that even at 29, I should have completely sorted out my personal life and my work life and who I am. But then I spend time with older people (and they don’t even have to be elderly – even people in their 50s) make me realise that I still have so much more to do and look forward to; so many experiences coming my way to get excited about and I do. I get genuinely excited 🙂

    Reply

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