Welcome

It’s time to tread the unfamiliar..

Jul 01, 2023

👋🏾 Welcome to Lessons in Seasons

Mini introduction :)

For those who don’t know me, my name is Osarhieme Giwa-Osagie and it’s lovely to have you here! I’m a soon-to-be law graduate and currently navigating life post-university. A bit about me, I love building intentional community, travelling, journalling and I’m a huge foodie! I’m committed to supporting young people to actualise their potential and pursue their visions. I’ll start by sharing more on the “why” behind Lessons in Seasons.

Navigating a Change in Season

In August 2022, I started to feel a huge tug to take a step back from all my responsibilities and prioritise myself and my Law degree. Anyone who knows me knows this was certainly not an easy decision for me! At the time I had just hosted my first in-person event for a youth organisation I founded called “Uncovered Conversations” (UC). A lot of momentum had been built up, but it also felt like the puzzles to the vision of UC I had started building in 2021, were finally coming together, but God led me to pause… I was being called into a season of hiddenness, quietness and deep reflection. I honestly did not understand why at the time but I chose to surrender. After all, everything I had always done up until this point was from a place of obedience. So I decided to release the need for control and let God have his way.

Fast-forward to September after the event, my mind could not grapple with what I would do with my time. I was so used to planning events, writing on causes I am passionate about and balancing my law degree. To be called to a place of complete stillness felt quite foreign to me. During this break, I started documenting different lessons I learnt along the way, this was for myself to reflect on and look back on further down the line. Little did I know that this will lead to creating this newsletter, Lessons in Seasons.

The Seemingly Barren Really Is Not

In the midst of navigating this transition, I recognised that God was truly birthing something beautiful. Something special, with deep roots and a solid foundation. He was building me. It’s interesting because the UC event was titled ‘Building You as You Build’ and in hindsight, it’s clear adapting to the season was a test. I’m still yet to discover all that has been birthed but I’m emerging from the past season with a deeper understanding of my purpose, value, improved character and so much more.

Externally, there was no physical fruit to show for these changes but I knew something was changing. Here’s an analogy that’ll help me explain this to you. When a woman is pregnant, for the first few months her bump is not evident. But she knows she’s pregnant, she’s aware of the changes happening within her. Though others may not see the baby bump she’s aware of the new life she is carrying. Another example is the tree below. It has no leaves or fruit, yet it’s still standing. Its roots are getting deeper and it’s receiving the nourishment needed to bear fruit at the appropriate time. For me, I wasn't launching anything new, I was off social media for a while and I didn’t have anything to ‘show for it’ but I knew that it was important I adapted to the season. Something new was certainly bubbling.

There were days when I asked myself, does taking a step back in this way make me look uncommitted? But I realised, this is what it truly means to live for God solely, to allow my pace, and my actions always align with his will. The past season has taught me that seasons of hiddenness and isolation are where true beauty lies. You’re faced with your character, understanding your purpose, who you really are at the core outside of what you do and so much more. I could go on and on but I will be unpacking these in subsequent newsletters.

Embracing a New Step

Honestly, stepping out and writing this newsletter is completely out of my comfort zone. I’ve been writing to myself for years but now it’s time to share my journey with you and I’m so excited for this new chapter. To the person who has been looking for a sign that your season has changed, this is it. Choose to trust and embrace the journey.

I’ve created this space to foster introspection, share my journey openly and guide those who may be going through similar situations I have passed through by sharing my experiences and lessons I’m learning. As I round off here are some gentle reminders as you go through your week:

No season is wasted, what may appear barren externally in your life is actually transforming into something so beautiful. Remember there is so much more to you than meets the eye.
Let all you do flow from a place of obedience, you have nothing and no one to keep up with.
Lastly, this is a beautiful text message a friend of mine sent me when we spoke about how I was finding the past season. You truly have nothing to prove, find solace in knowing that as you are, you are enough. It’s not in what we do as people but in who we are becoming.

Till next time, I’ll love to hear your thoughts as you’ve read this!