For Linda Ikeji And Our Collective Lessons In Vulnerability

Let me first start this article by saying that I do not understand Linda Ikeji personally, we aren't friends, and I've "fulfilled" her only a couple of times at social gatherings ...


Written By:
Francesca Uriri


Published On:
24 Sep 2016


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However with all of that being stated, I likewise have a deep and abiding respect for her. Is that ironic? Perhaps. But I have actually come to comprehend that you can disagree with someone on something and still respect them. Whether you accept it or not, Linda has shown through her exceptional journey of being a blog writer and opinion influencer, that she is a motivation to countless people all over the world. She has boot strapped her method to success using a model that was as soon as unpopular and belittled. She's an Outlier, and manages to motivate, prompt and baffle lots of all at once, and with fervour.


I can't consider a lot of individuals who've run a modelling company, an events business, a publication and a bunch of other companies, failed at them, and still kept pushing forward. I likewise do not know of anybody else (a minimum of not on this side of the world), who is legally making lots of money by blogging.
[advertisement] I imply, before Linda, whoever believed it was possible to buy a house in Banana Island, and open a string of media-related services gotten from the proceeds of running a gossip blog site? If the United States of America has the "American dream," then Linda Ifeoma Ikeji has the "Naija Dream." Strong, ruthless in its pursuit of joy and hope, and ultimately, effective. Here's a lady who struck ground zero at some point in her life, and is back to level 100. You have to respect such grit and determination, due to the fact that as my Sapele individuals will state "E nor simple."


Linda or "Lin-Lin" as she's fondly called by those who are close to her turned 36 years of ages a couple of days back; and to mark her unique day, she posted a 14-minute long video on her blog. Within hours of her publishing this video, social media was buzzing with all kinds of remarks and remarks about it - and I knew that I needed to see it for myself. 3 minutes into the video, I wasn't rather sure whether I liked it or not, due to the fact that it came off as a little insincere and scripted; plus Linda looked a little uneasy dealing with the electronic camera. However, something changed shortly after - I'm not even sure what. But the veneer of coolness cracked, and something more warm, earthy, real and vulnerable spilled out.
[advertisement] And as Linda began to discuss her failures, her desires, her relationship with God, her belief in the validity of her dreams, her utter awe at how her life ended up, and the affirmation that she still "plans to be around for a long period of time," something in me also provided method to the hope and motivation that she was sharing.


And maybe it was a psychological minute, maybe that thing was short lived, but I recognized it, and I felt it highly. Because it was sincere, effective and wholehearted. And in that one unique moment, I ignored all the times I disliked Linda, or all the frustrating things she had actually done, and because suspended space, between my laptop computer screen and her video, I commemorated with her. I cheered her on, and I desperately wanted her to be successful.


So you can envision my irritation when individuals took simply a few seconds of that video - of her desiring a remarkable man for an other half - and turned it into an occasion for awful banter, senseless rhetoric and upsetting remarks. How do you condense ALL she said, and narrow that down to just one segment of her video? What is wrong if she honestly (and very truthfully I might add), discussed what she desires? Is her desire for an other half somehow less valid or disgraceful because she discussed it in the open? If she had discussed further growing her or buying another home - would those declarations be consulted with derisive comments? Is there not a peaceful strength and self-respect in such a guileless program of vulnerability? When people truthfully and honestly open up themselves, the least we can do, the least we must do as humans is to accord them the regard and self-respect that they are worthy of.