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Author: Tolu

Venturing to Oslo, Norway On My Own

Posted on by Tolu

Hi everyone. Last weekend, I ventured to Oslo, Norway for my first ever solo trip, and it was such an amazing time. I want to share all of the things I most enjoyed in the city, and my recommendations if you plan on traveling there soon. I’ll first start with transportation, move into food, dive into shopping and finish with culture and history.

Transportation

From the airport, a lot of people recommend taking the train to Central Station then a bus or another train from there to your target destination. For me this was impractical because Central Station is farther south than the hostel I stayed at, so it would have taken longer than other modes of transport. Instead, I bought a ticket for the FB5 airport shuttle with FlyBussen. It took me less than an hour to get to my hostel, and the bus was very nice. There were outlets to charge my phone, comfy seats, and multiple stops along the route. The ticket cost me $18.82(student price) which is a little more expensive than public transportation, but worth it to me. I was alone, and I wasn’t ready to tackle public transportation on my first night.  I highly recommend the shuttle bus.

Besides traveling from the airport, the public transportation in Oslo is elite. They have trams, city and regional buses, undergrounds, ferries and local trains. It’s simple to navigate, because all tickets can be purchased in the Ruter app. You put the start and end locations in the app, and then it recommends different routes you can take and the price of the ticket. The ticket is purchased directly from there. If there is a ticket inspector on the ride, you need to show the inspection QR code associated with the ticket.

Another great form of transportation in Oslo is walking. The city is compact enough that I was able to walk around the entire day from place to place, then take the bus back to my hostel at the end of the day. Walking is the best option because you’ll see so much more of the city, and it’s cheaper than buying many tickets.

Accommodations

I’m traveling on a budget this semester, and staying in a hostel was my only affordable option in Oslo. It was my first time in a hostel, and I didn’t know what to expect. I had seen some horror stories online, but I was pretty shocked at the state of the hostel I booked. The floors were spotless, it was calm inside, and I felt so safe the entire time I was there. I booked a bed in one of the all female rooms at Bunks at Rode. All of the beds came with a curtain for privacy, and a light inside. Guests also had their own locker to put their things. The lockers required key card access which kept items secure.

Bunks at Rode is a great destination for those on a budget, especially solo travelers. It’s in a safe area with restaurants, shops, and bakeries worth going to. It’s not in the central area of Oslo, but that was best for me because I didn’t feel overwhelmed upon arrival. Also, fun fact, Bunks at Rode is right near a chocolate factory, so when I walked down the street, I could smell it.

Food

The food in Oslo was absolutely delicious, but I won’t lie, it was pricey. Every meal I had was over 20 USD, but it was all quality food. The bakeries will never be able to compare to the ones in Copenhagen, but they’re up there. The sommerbolle from Godt Brød Bakery is soft, pillowy, and not too sweet. Norwegian Waffles are really popular as well, so I tried one with brown cheese, another popular Norwegian food from Harry’s Vaffel. It was delicious as well. The brown cheese flavor was masked a little by the chocolate hazelnut spread, but it was still creamy, and tasted a little caramelized. 

In terms of meals, my first night I went to a balkan restaurant called Adriatic. I ordered Sudzuk and the dish was filling and fresh. Places I recommend for relaxed meals are Fulani and Mad Love. Fulani is an Afro Caribbean restaurant I tried for lunch on my second day. I got the jerk chicken bowl, with fried plantains, jollof rice, and vegetable slaw. The plantains were perfectly cooked and the chicken was seasoned well. Mad Love is a pizza place with cool topping combinations. I tried the skippern and the margherita slices. The crust had a nice bite to it, the sauces were flavorful, and the slices were warmed, so they were hot when I ate them.

Lastly, there is this snack called Smash! in Norway, and it is so simple yet so good. It’s a bugle corn chip dipped in chocolate. It’s crunchy and sweet, and my snack while watching Bridgerton season 4 part 2. I really wish they sold it in the states.

Shopping

Oslo Map with shopping areas circled

There are a lot of great vintage stores in Oslo, especially in Grünerløkka. I stopped by at least 5 all within walking distance of each other. Additionally, there are nice firsthand shops in that area as well as the area near the Oslo Cathedral. I was able to find a new jacket for 70% off which is a steal. You can also find souvenirs for yourself or friends in these areas.

Culture and History

This city is full of history, but I suggest going to the Munch Museum and Natural History Museum. The Munch museum shows paintings from artist Edvard Munch, and is beautiful. There’s multiple floors and each floor revolves around a different them in Much’s work. They also have exhibitions from other artists that rotate regularly. Additionally, I really enjoyed the Natural History museum. I went on my third day there, and I wish I had gone earlier because I could not get through all of it. There were so many cool things like dinosaur bones and crystals. If you’re into evolution and science history this is the museum for you. Another great part is that museum tickets were affordable with my student ID card.

A free piece of art and history that you can check out is the Oslo Cathedral. The stained glass is breathtaking, and someone sits up on the second floor and plays the organ from time to time.

Thank’s all for this week folks. I hope you enjoyed my unofficial guide to Oslo. Make sure to subscribe to be notified of new posts. Stay sharp 😉

Different gambling company logos

Why Are We Relying On Gambling Parlays For Grocery Money?

Posted on by Tolu

A couple of weeks ago, I was in class, and I saw one of my classmates on Kalshi. It was the day after the Superbowl, so I immediately began thinking about gambling. 78.52 billion dollars were spent on commercial gambling in 2025(“Commercial Gaming”). Think about that number for a second. People spent 71.49 billion dollars on betting on who would win the NBA championship, nights at the casino, the lottery, and more. In the past five years, I have seen a noticeable increase in the access to gambling. We’re seeing individuals that gamble hurt themselves, but in addition, hurt those around them.

The Transition from Gambling to Prediction Markets

There are a number of different gambling platforms like BetMGM and FanDuel, but in recent years there has been a growth in prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket. According to their website, this is Kalshi:

“Kalshi is the first CFTC regulated exchange dedicated to trading on the outcome of future events. From inflation, to fed rates, to unemployment, to will the government shut down, Kalshi allows people to trade on a broad range of topics. We’ve developed a new asset class, event contracts, where you can buy Yes or No positions with respect to whether an event will happen or not. Kalshi’s vision is to allow people to capitalize on their opinions, trade in the domain of every day, and hedge risks that relate to them.

All of this jargon essentially means that instead of stocks people can put their money into outcomes of different events. For example, a person could buy into the “How many times will the word bucket be said at an NBA game?” market. If their number is correct, they get a return, but if it isn’t, they lose. Countless numbers of these markets exist on the website. Kalshi claims that markets are typically settled within a couple hours, and payment is sent to users’ cash balance. You know what this sounds eerily similar to? Gambling.

Who Do Prediction Markets Hurt

What’s troublesome about prediction markets is that the age limit is 18. The founders of Kalshi and Polymarket created these companies to pounce on people in the 18 to under 21 age range. Prediction markets are the pipeline to gambling. Eighteen year olds start on platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket then transition to the big leagues like DraftKings and BetMGM.

These companies are marketed as a way of trading on future events. People predict whether a certain outcome will occur, put money down on that prediction, and hope to make a return. Prediction markets are like the gentrified version of gambling. Instead of going to a bar or casino to make a bet, users make it from the comfort of their home. Future markets are likened it to trading on the stock market as opposed to what it actually is: gambling.

Why Gambling is Troubling

Besides Kalshi and Polymarket, gambling itself is a growing problem in younger generations because a lot of us don’t realize the habits we’re picking up by engaging in betting platforms. Instead of getting jobs, younger people are relying on bets to pay for groceries, rent, and other basic necessities. It’s alarming. I watched a video where a college student was being interviewed about their day to day routine. The student mentioned how he only eats if the parlays are in his favor. His ability to eat was dependent on whether or not a certain sports team was having a good year. How did we get here?

The most concerning thing is the links between gambling and domestic violence. I read a study conducted by Dr. James Banks and Dr. Jaime Waters where they interviewed 26 women on how gambling contributed to intimate partner violence(IPV) in their relationship, and the tactics involved. It was a very enlightening paper because it elucidated how gamblers manipulated and hurt their partners to justify their gambling habit. For women that had joint bank accounts with their partners, the gambling habits of their partners posed great strain on their financial freedom. Sometimes the partners would use violence and intimidation to extract more money from the participants. Gambling even exacerbated the physician violence faced by the women. To think that we could start seeing IPV like this in young eighteen year olds because of gambling is horrific.

Of the individuals gambling online daily, men make up the majority(“Americans gamble online”). Because of the “male loneliness epidemic”, men seek connection through things like gambling. They want to be a part of the side that wins even if it’s from the isolation of their bedroom.

I don’t know why people choose to gamble, but I can only hope that we all wake up and realize the detrimental effects of this hobby. Thank you all for reading this week’s post. Make sure to subscribe to be notified of new ones. Stay sharp 😉

Sources

  • Banks, James, and Jaime Waters. “An examination of the Interrelationship between disordered gambling and intimate partner violence.” International Review of Victimology, vol. 29, no. 2, 18 Jan. 2022, pp. 277–292, https://doi.org/10.1177/02697580211065508.
  • Staff. “Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker – American Gaming Association.” American Gaming Association, 26 Feb. 2026, www.americangaming.org/resources/commercial-gaming-revenue-tracker/.
  • Staff. “More than a Quarter of Americans Gamble Online Daily, but Frequent Gamblers Likely to Self-Impose BR.” Psychiatry.Org – More Than a Quarter of Americans Gamble Online Daily, But Frequent Gamblers Likely to Self-Impose Br, 17 Mar. 2025, www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases/more-than-a-quarter-of-americans-gamble-online-dai.

Advisry logo

Unpacking the Fall 2026 Ready-to-Wear Collection from Advisry

Posted on by Tolu

What I love about fashion is the discovery aspect. There’s always a new brand or line to do a deep dive into, and explore. New York Fashion Week just ended on Monday, and I always enjoy looking through the new collections, and seeing the culmination of months of work. I’ve noticed that there is always a lot of coverage for the larger brands, but smaller brands deserve a chance to shine as well. This week, I will be unpacking the Fall 2026 Ready-to-Wear Collection from Advisry.

Advisry was founded in 2014 by Keith Herron when he was just thirteen years old. This past week he just threw his 5th NYFW show. Sadly, I didn’t know about this brand before, but that stops now. Through an initial perusal of this collection, I’m already extremely impressed by the different textures, colors, and the possibilities of the pieces. I can’t go through the entire collection, but I will share my top 4 pieces.

Piece #1

This leather coat is calling my name right now. I love the double breasted buttons, the shininess of the leather and the height of the color. The way the jacket is styled in this photo is perfect for Fall because the high collars will brace you for the incoming winds, and the leather keeps you warm as the temperatures drop. I also like the belted hem. It adds another layer that draws the eye in. An idea I had for this jacket is flipping the collar down, unbuttoning the jacket, rolling up the sleeves a little, and pairing it with a white tee and silver studded blue jeans. The simple white tee would allow the jacket to have its moment, and the silver studs on the jeans would tie in with the silver on the belt.

Piece #2

Men need more whimsy in their lives. This cape does exactly that. Just imagine the movement of this coat as a person walks no glides through a room. He has a couple of these coats in his collection, but I am especially drawn to this one because the cream color is so regal. It’s sharp and clean. No one can tell you anything if you wear this. 

Piece #3

This is like the cool older sister of a traditional full zip cardigan. She’s got some cool embellishments that show her growth and maturity. She doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her, and she walks through life with confidence that can’t be shaken. I really love the embroidery stitches on this jacket. They create a cool contrast with the deep red. Picture this. This jacket, a mustard colored suede mini skirt, sheer burgundy tights and a kitten heel. It’s a funkier look, but I’m feeling it.

Piece #4

Last, we have the pièce de résistance. This gown is giving me everything. The balloon shape of the skirt is so fun. I love when fashion is fun because it makes clothes more enjoyable for the person wearing them, but also for the viewer. This is a minor detail, but the ruffling on the skirt hemline is exquisite. It adds this little peek a boo moment that catches you off guard. You look down, and you’re like oh there’s more.

Advisry is a small brand, but I see big things for them. Thank you all for reading this week’s post. I hope you enjoyed it. For more, make sure to subscribe to be notified when I post next. Stay sharp 😉

Your Problems Never Just Go Away

Posted on by Tolu

Right now, it’s about 1:30 am, and I should be asleep, so that I’m well rested for the day tomorrow, but I’m not. I have a blog post to write, two papers to write for school, and something other things I’m probably forgetting that I should do. When I imagined studying abroad, I really didn’t think I would be maintaining my old habits from school. I thought that as soon as I stepped foot in Copenhagen, I would just magically have a great sleep schedule, and be able to complete my assignments in no time. That’s not the case. It’s taking me so much time to complete basic tasks, and I feel really inefficient, and distracted. I really need to take better care of myself, and stop trying to avoide my problems, and face them head on. You should too.

Whatever problem you’re continually facing, deal with it. Problems don’t just stay in the season they began in. They carry over, and can make your life so difficult, so I call onto you all to solve them. For example, my biggest problem is that I don’t sleep enough. From now on, I will start getting ready for bed by 9pm, and stop homework by 7:30 pm. I doubt I’ll be able to maintain these goals immediately, but I’m going so start here and move forward in hopes of making myself feel better. How will you start?

Thank you all for reading this week’s post. Make sure to subscribe to be notified of new ones. Stay sharp 😉

Protecting Your Peace in Time Where there is None

Posted on by Tolu

Every day I wake up, and I read a new article or see a post that reveals another crack in the world. ICE is terrorizing innocent people in the US. A genocide continues to unfold in Gaza. Sudan is in the midst of a civil war that has ravaged its people, land, and government. Billionaires continue to exist when millions go hungry everyday. Political leaders are sitting on top of so much power and do nothing with it, or even worse use it to hurt their people. It seems like no one has had a moment of peace especially those who face terrors like this daily.

I just want to say that I see you. I see your anger, frustration, and confusion. I’m right there with you. I’ve become so furious at every headline I see. Here’s the thing. You need to use that fire somewhere. Don’t stop at the anger stage. Apply the anger somewhere. Call your local lawmakers. Email them. Gather with your friends and come up with a plan to unite your community. Even reposting to spread awareness about an issue can be helpful. Right now, the most important thing we can all do is share the correct information, so that no one is being misinformed. I know it’s especially hard when so many people are finally catching up to the horrors some have faced for centuries that they are just facing now. Please try to protect your peace by using your anger as power. Don’t sit with it for too long. It’s not worth it to lose more peace in a world that has so little right now.

My Experience at Copenhagen Fashion Week

Posted on by Tolu

This past week has been Copenhagen Fashion Week, and I have so much to share. In December, I reached out to 10 brands who were doing shows asking to volunteer. I reached out again in January, but sadly none of them got back to me. Luckily, one of my professors suggested to all of us that we go to some of the events open to the public during fashion week. I attended two events: CIFF(Copenhagen International Fashion Fair), and an event focused on highlighting women in fashion. This week has been so surreal for me. My experience with Copenhagen Fashion Week turned out better than I thought it would.

Initial Fears

Starting off with CIFF. Representatives from different brands display their new collections and show them off to buyers at CIFF. It’s essentially a trade show, but with the most stunning clothes you could ever see. The entire center was separated by brand and covered with racks of clothes. There was womenswear, menswear, kids’ clothing, shoes, jewelry, bags, even some skincare. The fair had everything you could think of, and more.

CIFF at Copenhagen Fashion Week

When I first arrived, I was nervous because I was alone. It’s intimidating walking into a room filled with people who work in the fashion field, are a little older, and don’t look like you. I felt out of place then I remembered no one knows who I am. If I embarrass myself in front of a rep or another attendee, that’s perfectly fine. These people don’t know me, and I don’t know them. As I walked through the fair, I became increasingly more confident talking to reps, and asking questions. This was an opportunity to learn about another side of the fashion world, so I took it.

Besides meeting new people, I also got some cool free stuff. I got a denim shirt, skincare, candy, a 3D printed key chain, and some catalogs. A lot of brands advertise by handing out branded items to attendees. In addition, I also got this beautiful custom scarf from one of the stations. It was a collaboration between VIA University College and EPSON. The station was run by university students, and they were repurposing scarves made from deadstock fabrics by printing new designs on them. The idea is very innovative and sustainable which is desperately needed in fashion right now. With the amount of waste fast fashion contributes to the world each year, it’s exciting to see young students leading the charge towards more mindful fashion.

What I Learned at CIFF

Being a buyer must be overwhelming at times especially when attending fairs like this. They’re in charge of choosing collections that will be in their storefronts. It’s their responsibility to determine which ones will be most popular and profitable. Events like this are fun for an attendee like me, but buyers have their jobs on the line. It’s very similar with reps, but they have even more stakes. The buyers at least have options while the reps have to work to reel buyers in, and keep them entertained. There were so many brands with high quality and well crafted pieces that sadly had empty stations. The fashion world is fickle and cutthroat. Making the pieces is one thing, but getting someone to buy them is even harder because reps have to make buyers believe in the collection.

Women in Fashion Event

CIFF was lovely, and I’m thankful I was able to attend. That same day I went to the women in fashion event. This event was much smaller and cozier. Very hyggeligt as the Danes would say. The event was a showroom and popup for small designers from around the world to showcase their work. All of the clothing brands were incomparable to each other, and had their own distinct narrative. I’ll list the brands below, so you all can look at them yourselves. 

The event inspired me because it was a reflection of what I want in my future. Attending this event is hopefully a step in the right direction, as it would be a dream to have my own brand.

Women in Fashion at Copenhagen Fashion Week Image 1
Women in Fashion at Copenhagen Fashion Week Image 2

Attending these events as a part of Copenhagen Fashion week is a memory I will never forget. The best part is that they were FREE. All I did was sign up online, and I was in. Events like these can help anyone that is interested in fashion, but doesn’t know where to start. They are low stakes and expose you to different audiences in fashion which can help you find your niche.  

Thank you all for reading this week’s post. I hope you enjoyed it. If you’d like to know when I post again, fill out the subscriber form to your right. Stay sharp 😉

Unpacking the 2025 Fall Winter Collection from OpéraSPORT

Posted on by Tolu

This semester I am studying abroad in Copenhagen which is wild to me. It’s a huge privilege to be here, and I am so thankful for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Studying here is exciting for a number of reasons, but for one in particular: the fashion scene. Like other major cities and regions, Copenhagen fashion definitely shows influence from trends. Nonetheless, it’s still unlike any other I have seen. I arrived less than a week ago, and it appears that individualistic style has an overt influence in everyone’s daily lives. It’s very obvious when going outside who the Danes. The Danes dress for themselves as opposed to dressing to match a certain image or ideal.

Next week is Copenhagen Fashion Week. I would love to volunteer at one of the shows to learn more about this side of fashion and gain experience. Sadly, I have not received a yes yet. For now, I will learn from the images I see online. This week I am going to review one of the Autumn Winter collections from a brand titled OpéraSPORT. Let’s dive into it.

OpéraSPORT is a Copenhagen based clothing brand founded by Awa Malina Stelter and Stephanie Gundelach in 2019. Their vision for garment production to be more intentional at innovating and not crossing ethical lines. Since the brand’s inception, the garments were constructed from organic or recycled materials.

The ascension of King Frederik and Queen Mary to the throne last January, drove the inspiration for the the 2025 OpéraSPORT Autumn Winter collection. The collection was titled “A Celebration of Art Deco Elegance and Regal Sophistication”. Stelter, one of the founders, explained that the pieces in this collection were created to bring their “inspirations to life in a way that [felt] both authentic and meaningful” (Vogue). 

From a first look, the collection displays some pops of light blue, lots of collars, and funky pairings. I chose this collection specifically because overall I like it, but at the same time some of the pieces intimidate me. With the fashion knowledge I have now, I would struggle a little to try and style them. This is howI learn though: by covering collections that make me pensive.

*All photos below are courtesy of Vogue Scandinavia*

Look #1

Piece from OpéraSPORT Fall/Winter 2025 collection

This blue top struck my eye with the combination of details. There are puffed sleeves, ruching, shirring, and a square neckline. It’s a little more chaotic than a piece I would normally wear, but I like the challenge. The addition of the square neckline and the puff sleeves shows the regal inspiration. I feel like these are styles one might have seen on royals in the 19th century. I imagine this top paired with a black suede skirt to match the trim of the neckline, and add some texture.

Look #2

Mesh top from OpéraSPORT Fall/Winter 2025 collection

I just love a mesh top. Don’t you. You can pair them with a tank or a bralette underneath. You can even put them on top of another top for a cool layered look. This button up drew me in because of the appliqué across the top. They add this dark woodsy effect reminiscent of Fall. This top would look absolutely amazing layered over a turtleneck and the hair up. With the hair up or back the lapels of the button up aren’t hidden and there’s a nice clean transition from the turtleneck to the button up.

Look #3

This two piece denim set drew me in. Denim is an all year round wear for me, but I especially love it in the Fall. A nice denim jean or cozy denim jacket always always keeps me warm. The richness of the denim color is so luxurious. The top is really intriguing because I can see it being worn on its own or as a jacket as well. Imagine the buttons opened, a white turtleneck underneath, the jeans, and black heeled booths paired together. A warm brown bag to accessorize, and you’ve got yourself a look.

Thank you all for reading this week’s post. I hope you enjoyed it, and learned about OpéraSPORT. Make sure to subscribe to be notified of new posts. Stay sharp 😉

fast fashion mall

What does it mean to confuse styling with fashion?

Posted on by Tolu

A couple of months ago I was scrolling on Instagram, and saw this video of someone talking about how we’ve confused fashion with being able to style ourselves, and they made some great points. Sadly, I can’t remember the creator, but they basically discussed how there is a difference between appreciating fashion and styling. Some people are really great at styling themselves, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they appreciate fashion as a whole. What I mean by that is that they don’t actually appreciate the craftsmanship and the history of clothes. 

With the meteoric rise of influencer culture, I’ve noticed that there are a lot of people online that can dress themselves for any occasion meticulously well. For every holiday, birthday, special event, or even just a day out, their outfit is always on point. The pants are just the right shade or texture to go with their top. Sometimes it’s that their shoes are so unique that they center the whole outfit around them, and they just look so cool. I’m in awe of their outfit. After seeing one post, I’ll scroll onto the person’s feed, and it’s a flood of carefully curated posts but not one outfit matches or is similar to the other. It makes me think about what happens to all of their beautiful clothes after they upload the post.

Do they go to the back of their closet, end up in landfill, or at least in a donation bin?

The biggest problem I see with these influencers, and confusing styling with fashion, is that it contributes to the idea that to appreciate fashion you need a continuously rotating wardrobe. More importantly, it contributes to the exclusivity of fashion.

Continuously rotating one’s wardrobe is for one greedy and also it’s unsustainable. Though a person has the means to buy quality clothes in excess doesn’t mean they should. Especially for those with more expendable incomes it’s easy to justify new clothes as a treat or reward, but it’s unhealthy. Others who don’t have as high of an income try to keep up by turning towards cheaper clothes that will last them only a couple wears. This contributes to the rapidly growing practice of fast fashion.

My point is that appreciating fashion is about acknowledging the role fashion plays on history, society, and the individual. It’s also about taking care of and loving the clothes you already own. I own and still wear clothing thatI bought in high school, and even middle school. I’ve repeated many outfits and the reason I do this is because I take care of and love my clothes. If you truly loved your clothes, then ask yourself how many times you’ve worn a particular piece? Or on average how long do you keep a piece of clothing in your closet? 

What makes fashion accessible to all is the mutual appreciation for a piece of clothing. Appreciate fashion by holding your clothes dear to you. Show them off. Be an outfit repeater. Keep them from collecting dust in your closet and let them see the light.

That’s all for this week’s post. Make sure to subscribe to be notified of new ones. Stay sharp 😉

We Must Continue the Practice of Manifestion in 2026

Posted on by Tolu

Welcome back everyone. In 2024, I wrote my first ever manifestation list, and posted it on my blog. Everyday that year, I read the list to keep those goals on my mind. I accomplished so many of those goals, and continued the tradition last year. For 2026, I have done things a little differently though. I’ve noticed that my lists are helpful, but they aren’t very descriptive. Especially last year, I would read my manifestation list every morning, but I had a hard time accomplishing my goals because I didn’t know where to start.

This year, I tried to make my manifestation list as descriptive and focused as possible. I’ve noticed that with anything I do, the more detailed I am with planning, the more likely I am to complete the activity or goal. If you plan to write a manifestation list this year (you definitely should), I recommend you make it as detailed as possible.

Here’s what you should do. Close your eyes. Close them. Imagine what you want your year to look like if everything went the way you wanted it to. What would your daily life look like? Your weekends? Are there any goals you’ve been working towards for years that you finally want to accomplish? Is there something that you never thought you’d be able to do? How do you want to feel by the end of the year?  What memories do you hope to make in 2026?

Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva

There are so many reasons why people never accomplish a goal, and I think one of the most common reasons is fear. I have always had a fear of failing which has led me to give up early on a goal or not even try at all. In elementary school I bought this kit to make homemade lanyards. It came with the plastic string and metal rings. For some reason, I never made a lanyard, and it’s because I didn’t immediately know how to make one so I just gave up on it. Instead of reading the instructions a couple more times, or asking my friend at school who knew how to make one, I gave up. It’s not like I would’ve become some lanyard making tycoon or something, but it was a potential hobby I missed out on because of my fear of failing.

This story is from over ten years ago, but it still applies. Achieving a goal is not a linear process. There are going to be hills and valleys you come across that may leave you stumped or set back. Knowing that they will be there is the first step in overcoming your fear of failure. As you write your 2026 Manifestation List, when fear makes you hesitate writing something down, force yourself to write it. Life is too short to be realistic.

Also, it’s really important to have easy access to this list everyday. Write it in your journal, Notes app, or even on a piece of paper taped to your mirror. Make this list a daily fixture in your life.

Again, I encourage you all to write a manifestation list for 2026. If it’s your first time making one that’s okay. It doesn’t matter what stage of life you’re in, manifestation lists are for everyone. After you make your list, it doesn’t end there. Reading the list everyday is a good reminder, but you need to start making changes in your life to see the list completed. Maybe you want to go on a big trip this year. Fill out the passport application. Start a vacation fund and determine how much of each paycheck you’ll allocate to the fund.  Alright. No go off and make those lists. A little off topic, but making a Pinterest board to accompany the list is fun too. Here’s mine for this year. Use it as a reference if you’d like.

Thank you all for reading this post. I hope you enjoyed the 3rd installment of my annual manifestation list series. Below is my 2026 manifestation list. Read it if you want an example going into writing yours. Make sure to subscribe to be notified of new posts.  Stay sharp 😉

2026 Manifestation List

  • Start running, so that I can improve my stamina for tennis and for my health overall.
  • Watch a tennis match in person.
  • Keep improving my GPA by building sustainable study routines for class.
  • Go on at least two solo trips this year, so that I feel more confident exploring alone.
  • Get a summer research internship at a university in New York City.
  • Go on at least 4 overnight trips to 4 different countries while I am studying abroad.
  • Show up for my friends by going to their events, and giving them support in their lives.
  • Go apple picking within my first month back at school.
  • Keep up with blog goals.
  • Play tennis at least four times a month.
  • Draw one fashion sketch a week to become more adept and faster at sketching.
  • Sew three clothing pieces and utilize sewing equipment at school for at least two of them.
  • Create a vision for my life post graduation, so that I don’t feel behind senior Spring.
  • Invest in my wardrobe and buy pieces that I can see myself wearing long term and lasting for years

My one overarching goal is to do things that scare me more often because when I do, it pays off.

Photo of the Potomac river skyline

This Blog is Back and Better than Ever

Posted on by Tolu

I’m back y’all. These past three months have been lackluster not posting on here. Between classes, work, and my other commitments, I let this blog fall to the wayside. I missed posting here once a week, and sharing my thoughts. What sucked the most was that it wasn’t like I didn’t have ideas for posts. I got so busy with school, and forgot about this part of my weekly routine. I became used to not posting, and starting allocating the time that I would spend on writing towards other things.

That stops this year though. Since I started this blog, I’ve always had big plans for it, but I never felt capable enough to follow through on them. When I first started this blog, I watched tons of videos on how to grow and scale. My biggest issue before I can even begin to apply the advice I learned is my consistency. I need to be honest with myself, and say that I’m not consistent with my posts. I get a groove during the summer and breaks and post at least once a week or sometimes more. On the other hand, I post sporadically during the school year. There’s not enough structure which bothers me.

My goal is to POST EVERY WEEK THIS YEAR. No matter how bad I think an article is, I will post something every Friday at 1 pm central time. If I make my blog an integral part of my routine, then it won’t seem as daunting to grow it.

2026 Blog Goals

Besides posting at least once a week, I have other goals I want to accomplish this year.

  • Find 3 bloggers in similar spaces and learn how they have grown and scaled.
  • Find a mentor in the blogging space.
  • Grow the Pinterest for my blog to at least 100 followers, by learning how to optimize Pinterest.
  • Each week, watch a new video about blogging, and apply what I learned to growing and improving this blog.

2026 is the year of the blog, and I have much in store for you all. There are so many things I want to write about. I started this blog about two and a half years ago, and I thank you all for being a part of this journey. It’s time I start taking this hobby seriously and see where it can go. Make sure to subscribe so you can be notified when I post next week. Stay sharp 😉