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FEMINISM. PAN-AFRICA. SOCIAL CRITICISM. DIASPORA. CULTURE.

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The best kept secret for youth

August 3, 2011 By MsAfropolitan 17 Comments

20110803-162126.jpg

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.

Filed Under: Social Criticism Tagged With: happiness, Life, Spirituality, Young Women

Comments

  1. Liz says

    August 3, 2011 at 4:47 pm

    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
    • MsAfropolitan says

      September 16, 2011 at 5:18 pm

      Thanks a million Liz, kind of you to stop by and send me well wishes 🙂

      Reply
  2. Ankhesen says

    August 3, 2011 at 5:19 pm

    Guess I’ll need to figure out how to publish an e-book.

    There’s always us: https://middlechildpress.net

    Reply
    • MsAfropolitan says

      September 16, 2011 at 5:19 pm

      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. Daisy says

    August 3, 2011 at 6:01 pm

    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
    • MsAfropolitan says

      August 7, 2011 at 7:18 pm

      Thanks Daisy 🙂 their sweetness compensated for their size!

      Reply
  4. POTO says

    August 4, 2011 at 2:35 am

    I’ve been in a giggling mood all day and all night long… And I love to share this Dennis Brown joint ft. Siedah Garr – Don’t look any further 😉 Also looking forward to you poetry e-book!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NcdopFFmRs

    Reply
    • MsAfropolitan says

      September 16, 2011 at 5:21 pm

      Poto, we love your links! I never actually saw the vid for this hehe, thanks

      Reply
  5. Val says

    August 4, 2011 at 5:00 pm

    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
    • MsAfropolitan says

      August 7, 2011 at 7:20 pm

      LOL may be the answer 😉

      Thank you

      Reply
  6. teachermrw says

    August 4, 2011 at 5:47 pm

    Happy Birthday, and good luck with your poetry book!:)

    Reply
    • MsAfropolitan says

      August 7, 2011 at 7:23 pm

      Many thanks 🙂

      Reply
  7. z says

    August 7, 2011 at 1:32 am

    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
    • MsAfropolitan says

      August 7, 2011 at 7:21 pm

      Thanks Z! Hope you’re well x

      Reply
  8. Mwana Ba Afrika says

    August 8, 2011 at 2:35 pm

    Looking forward to your poetry 🙂

    Reply
    • MsAfropolitan says

      August 23, 2011 at 12:08 pm

      Thanks sis:) Hope you’re well X

      Reply
  9. Vickii says

    September 21, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    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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Feminism. African Studies. Social Criticism.

Hi! I'm Minna Salami, I'm a Nigerian-Finnish and Swedish writer and social critic, and the founder of this blog. Read my full bio here

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