CROSS
CHINONSO
On Love, Faith, And Partnership
EDITOR’S NOTE
CKola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Zaron
ross and Chinonso were in an on-again, offagain relationship, but they finally decided to make it work and tied the knot last year. For Cross, seeing Chinonso at their traditional wedding made him think, ‘finally, I’m yours, and you are mine.’ He felt over the moon and at peace. Their relationship shows love every day, not just on special occasions. We asked Cross what he does daily to make Chinonso feel loved. He said he spends time with her, makes her smile, touches her, and does other things she loves.
Chinonso, on the other hand, felt a sense of the familiar when Cross’ family welcomed her. For her, love means not showing it off on social media but also spending quality time together. She gives one piece of good advice: don’t want what anyone else has in love.
To dive deeper into their inspiring journey, read Cross and Chinonso’s love story on pages 8 to 10.
As we celebrate love, we know Valentine’s Day can feel pressured. Whether it’s your first date or a longterm relationship, you want to look and feel your best in the makeup department. Many people make mistakes with their makeup on that day. We have a list of things you should avoid. Scroll to page 12 for this.
Love can take many forms, even at work. Continuing our focus on relationships, we turn to the workplace. Office romance is quite common. While some offices have a strict no-office-relationship policy, others do not. The question is: Is it ever a good idea? We highlight some things to consider.
Whether spending time with loved ones or enjoying moments alone, music sets the mood. Download some amazing songs from the playlist on page 20; you’ll love the selection.
When You Realise You’ve Been Managing Life, Not Living It
Oils, And Diffusers Elevate Your Home Outgrowing Friends Gracefully My Valentine's Day The Silent Burnout Your Nervous System Is Carrying 5 Foods to Avoid on Valentine’s
Boluwatife Adesina @bolugramm
- Contributing Writer
Boluwatife Adesina is a media writer and the helmer of the Downtown Review page. He’s probably in a cinema near you.
@onahluciaa +2348033239132 Onah
Until next week, enjoy your read. www.thewilldowntown.com
AUSTYN OGANNAH PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Executive Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa
Writers: Johnson Chukwueke And Dorcas Akintoye
Design & Layout: Olaniyan John ‘Blake’
Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun
Consulting Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘SunZA’
2286, +234 913 333 3888
Sally Chiwuzie @unshakable.is.a.state.of.mind - Contributing Writer
Sally Chiwuzie is a non-practising barrister who owns the brand #Unshakable. She is the author of Silent Symphonies, a fictional love story, and the creator of the podcast Chronicles of #Unshakable Truths.
Ada Obiajunwa @aaddaahh - Contributing Writer
Ada Obiajunwa writes from Lagos about the big truths tucked inside ordinary moments — friendship, self-discovery, and the quiet revolutions of everyday life. She believes in the power of presence, good banter, and decoding the unsaid. Through her fragrance studio, WhiffWonders, she also crafts scents that weave memory and emotion into experiences that feel like home.
FASHION
A LOVE LETTER TO YOU
Treat Yourself, Then Share the Love
BY EZINNE CHINKATA
Valentine’s Day represents love. It looks different for every woman, but one truth remains constant: every woman is worthy of love — even though what that love looks like may change depending on where she is in life.
What you wear isn’t just about where you’re going or what you’re doing; it’s about how you want to feel when you finally settle into the moment.
This edit celebrates the many moods of love. From solo treats, brunch with friends and quiet picnics, to dinner dates and Lagos parties. Each look is styled with ease and intention, reflecting real moments and real life and designed to spark joy.
All looks are styled from pieces available at Zinkata.
White and Red Vest: Maxivive
Yellow/Mint Textured Skirt: ILARE
Red Bag: DOT
Red Shoes: DOT
GALENTINE’S
“Laughter comes easily tonight. I feel light.”
BRUNCH
“Nothing
“I
Photography: Zanas Emadamerho-Atori
Model: Atinuke Oni
Make-up: Jumoke Kalejaiye
RED MINI: COAL BY JACKLYN BAG: DOT
BEADED ASOKE JACKET AND SHORTS: DNA BY ICONIC INVANITY
RBLUE MINI SKIRT-SET:
BLACK MICRO BAG: AABOUX
Styling: Ezinne Chinkata X Team Zinkata
SALLY CHIWUZIE @unshakable.is.a.state.of.mind
UNTOLD TRUTHS
What We Leave Unfinished
Kris with a K was the organised one. When she received her diagnosis, she didn’t unravel. She didn’t panic or collapse into fear. She went into administration mode - the way some people do when emotions are too large to hold all at once. Appointments were logged, files created, contacts notified, and, quietly and deliberately, she wrote her will. Two houses. Savings. Investments. All of these….and one decision that surprised others but felt obvious to her. She left half a million pounds to Brioche. She did not do so because Brioche needed rescuing or because she was being dramatic, but because, for over forty years, their lives had been entwined, parallel, but braided.
They had raised children side by side, buried parents within months of each other, shared holidays, rituals, and inside jokes no one else fully understood. When one woman’s life tilted, the other instinctively leaned.
So when cancer arrived, it didn’t feel individual. It felt shared. Weeks later, Brioche received her diagnosis. Different cancer. Different prognosis. Same quiet terror.
Kris with a K was unsettled—not only by the illness but also by the timing. The symmetry. The strange choreography of it all. She had prepared for death. Brioche had not. It was Brioche who told her to amend the will. This was not born out of modesty, but of realism. They could not determine what cancer would do with them. They could not predict who would go first, if either went at all. They could not negotiate with destiny. They could only do what was required. Hope.
They prayed. They did chemo. They endured physiotherapy. They learned medical language that they never wanted to speak fluently. Then
they waited.
Brioche died first. She died intestate. What made it immeasurably harder was the fact that Brioche was in the middle of a deeply painful divorce, one that had already drained her emotionally, financially, and spiritually. It had not reached a resolution, and so it left assets contested, decisions suspended, and wounds still open. Her death did not bring clarity. It brought complications. Grief became tangled with paperwork. Love collided with legal process. The absence of a will didn’t just freeze accounts; it froze closure.
As fate would have it, at that point, Kris with a K survived. She went into remission.
She was alive but altered. Her sister eventually sat her down. Not harshly or with accusation, just with concern.
“You’ve seen what happens,” she said gently.
“Dying intestate doesn’t just leave sadness. It leaves people stranded.”
Kris with a K listened. She understood. Intellectually, she knew what was required.
This is where the story stops giving answers, because what happens next is the part no one talks about. What do you do when you prepared to die — and didn’t — but the person you prepared for did? What do you do when survival feels unearned? When living feels like an administrative error? When writing a will feels like choosing a future you’re not sure you want to inhabit?
Did Kris with a K rewrite everything? Did she honour her original intentions? Did she change it all? Did she leave behind order or questions?
I don’t know, and maybe that’s the point.
We like stories that resolve cleanly, stories that reward preparation, stories that tie faith to outcome.
However, real life doesn’t always offer symmetry.
Sometimes, the people who plan carefully are the ones left behind with impossible decisions. Sometimes love complicates logic. Sometimes grief delays what survival demands.
This isn’t a story about money. It’s a story about unfinished business. It’s a story about how pain can stall action, and about how faith and administration don’t always move at the same speed. It’s also about how avoidance isn’t always laziness - sometimes it’s sorrow with no language yet.
The #Unshakable truth is this: Avoiding the decision doesn’t protect you from pain; it only passes the burden on.
Love without preparation is not kindness. Silence is not neutrality, and unfinished things don’t stay neutral; they become heavy in other people’s hands.
We ask people how they want to live. We rarely ask how they are prepared to leave.
And maybe another #Unshakable truth is this: Some things remain unfinished not because we forgot, but because finishing them would mean accepting a reality we’re not ready to name.
See you next week.
CROSS & CHINONSO
Valentine’s Day is a reminder to express love openly, to say the things we often keep inside, to show care in ways that matter. It is a day filled with messages, gifts, and public displays of affection, but love does not begin or end on Valentine's Day. Real love lives in everyday moments, and it involves being present, choosing each other, laughing together, and staying even when it is not convenient. Beyond the celebration, love is about consistency, peace, and effort.
For our Valentine’s issue, we shine our spotlight on Ikechukwu Sunday Okonkwo, popularly known as Cross Da Boss, a Nigerian entrepreneur, fitness enthusiast, and reality TV star who rose to fame as a Top 6 finalist on Big Brother Naija Season 6 (Shine Ya Eye), and his heartthrob, Chinonso Okonkwo nee Onyebuchi, a digital creator and a fashion entrepreneur. The couple married in December last year, sealing a love story years in the making. Their journey began as friendship; trying, separating, returning, and finally choosing each other fully. Built on faith, understanding, and quality time, their relationship is rooted in peace, learning, and a deep sense of belonging.
In this interview with THEWILL DOWNTOWN’s DORCAS AKINTOYE, Cross and Chinonso discuss their journey from friendship to marriage, the peace they felt during their traditional wedding, and what love truly looks like behind closed doors. They speak honestly about learning from each other, the work marriage requires, the role...
CROSS
During your traditional wedding, when you saw Chinonso being formally presented or welcomed into your family, what emotions hit you first? Did you feel proud, nervous, or something deeper?
That is a very interesting question. Honestly, I had this ‘finally, at last’ feeling, because, me and my wife's story has been a love story for many, many years. We met as friends. We tried, but it didn't work. We became friends again. We tried to make it work again. It didn't work. And now, for the third time, it worked. So, it was like, oh, my goodness. So, finally, you're mine, and I'm yours. So, that emotion is something I don't think I'll ever forget. Because I felt at last, finally, I've come to a peace, a rest where I can finally say, oh, you're mine, and I'm yours. The joy was over the moon. Yeah. It was just a very joyful, peaceful emotion.
Valentine’s Day is all about love in action. What’s one way you make her feel loved every day, even when there’s no special occasion? I would say being around her and just making her smile is something that I actually do. And it's something that she really loves. You know, touching, kissing, laughing, things she loves. It's not a thing of a specific day. I think that's something she really loves hearing and doing every day.
Marriage is a partnership. How do you balance your public life, business, and fame while keeping your marriage strong?
Well, I think it's knowing that I have a father, who is Christ Jesus, as a centre of my life, and also
her life as well. So, it helps us maintain a grounded mindset, knowing that we have a leader, Christ Jesus, and that we try as much as possible to follow His lead. And also, knowing that my life as a celebrity doesn't come between us. Like, I try to separate them as much as possible. But once we're inside the house, once we're together, there is nothing like celebrity. It's always a clean, clear vibe. And also the fact that we actually work together. And now, thank God, she's actually into contentcreating and also into fashion. She's into tech as well. She's a consultant for a FinTech company as well. So, she already knows what creating content is, which helps me as well. So, it's more or less like we have a few things to talk about when we talk about creating content. But she's not always 100% ready because she's a female. So, she gets tired because this is not her life. But she has been learning that for the past one or two years. So, yeah, I think I'm helping her blend her normal life with accepting that she married a celebrity. But, yeah, it's been good, and it's been great so far.
are, like, human emotions and people's energy you're bringing in. So, there's a lot of work you have to put in to make sure that you're successful and living a happy life and a happy marriage.
"I think it has been very teaching and educative. Our lives have been very educational. We're learning so much about each other. We're learning about each other's love languages. We're learning each other's mood. We're learning each other's way of living together, and things like that. So, it's important to always know this about your partner. I'll say it's been successful so far, especially the fact that we're just into it one month. And the fact is that she's my best friend."
– CROSS
If you could describe your first month of marriage in one word, what would it be, and why? I think it has been very teaching and educative. Our lives have been very educational. We're learning so much about each other. We're learning about each other's love languages. We're learning each other's mood. We're learning each other's way of living together, and things like that. So, it's important to always know this about your partner. I'll say it's been successful so far, especially the fact that we're just into it one month. And the fact is that she's my best friend.
I really love her so much. So, I'm always willing and ready to keep learning and keep understanding who she is and what she is. Because at the end of the day, she's going to be the mother of my children. So, I need to also, like, learn to live and understand her as much as she can learn and understand me as well. Because it's a human being coming together with a new human being and becoming one, sometimes there can be a lot of friction because human beings can have different patterns, different ways of living. But having to become one, or you have to, like, change your ways, become better, do this, do that, do this. It's a lot of work. I would tell anybody who wants to get into marriage that it's a lot of work. You've got to put in a lot of work. If you think it's going to be simple, and that just saying 'I love you' can solve issues, no, it doesn’t work that way. Because these
Looking at Chinonso now, what is one quality about her that surprised you after getting married, something you didn’t fully see before?
I think it's just the fact that she's so beautiful. I think I never knew how beautiful she is. I think that's what surprised me. Like, I feel she's very beautiful. She's very sexy. She has a very demure spirit. So, I think it's something that surprised me. I don’t think I've seen anything yet. Maybe ask me again in six months or one year's time. Maybe I'll find out. But, so far, that's what I can say.
CHINONSO
During your traditional wedding, when you were formally welcomed into Cross’s family, what went through your heart? How did it feel to take that step into married life?
I was happy. It wasn't like I was going to a new place; it was just going to a familiar one, but it was also a bittersweet moment because I literally saw myself leaving my dad's house in a car for another house, and that's it. But if it was my emotions and if I were to remove my family from the picture, I would say I just felt familiar. It was something that I was familiar with, so I would say peace, and I didn't feel nervous or anything.
"Honestly, I would say it's more external than internal. As I said, I've known him for a while, so nothing is shocking to me that I haven’t seen before in the house and everything. So, I think it's external. I was not a social person; I was not out there. I was like an introvert, internal with my own thing, especially during my 9-5 days, and just minding my business."
– CHINONSO
Valentine’s Day can feel like a performance. For you, what does real love or romance look like beyond social media posts?
I would say quality time. For me, spending time with him and just us in the house interacting and doing different activities we do at home is what works for me, and then posting it after. Then probably the performance would be going out for dinner, which is not bad, going out for dinner, and posting it. But initially, I think for both of us, it's the quality time we spend just together without anything or anyone.
Being a wife and a woman with her own dreams can be challenging. How do you make space for both in your life?
I just started the journey. But in general, from what I've learned, because I have sisters who have been married for years, 10 years, 15, 20. I
COVER
have older, mostly older friends who are married, and from the one month I've been married, I would say that I think it depends on the type of partner you have as well. I think for Cross, he has always been the type of person to even push me to the point I'm just like, okay, calm down. So, because we already have a friendship and he's always looking out for me, it makes it easier to balance because, as I said, there's no conflict or tension when I want to do this and also be a wife. So, I think as much as possible, choose someone that you're comfortable with, and you're friends with, and basically supports you. It will make it easier.
What has been the most unexpectedly beautiful or funny moment in your first month of marriage?
Honestly, I would say it's more external than internal. As I said, I've known him for a while, so nothing is shocking to me that I haven’t seen before in the house and everything. So, I think it's external. I was not a social person; I was not out there. I was like an introvert, internal with my own thing, especially during my 9-5 days, and just minding my business. So, the love that I experienced from the engagement to everything we did, it was just like people were so happy for him, and he transmitted that to me, and I received so many prayers. I would say, even when I go out, people still say congratulations, and it's still new to me. And I think that's the only thing that I need to get used to because it's not something I'm used to. But it's not a bad thing, it's just unfamiliar ground. So, I would say externally, the virality of how everything went. I knew he was
a celebrity. I knew he was known, but I didn't know it would go to the level it did. At least for me, it was something new, but yeah, I'm dealing with it.
If someone is looking at your marriage and wants what you have, what is the most important truth about love they need to understand?
I would say no one should want what anybody has. There are so many things that people online go through to make their relationship look good. So, want what God has destined for you, and he'll give you the ways to keep it and flourish it.
I think the love statement I stand on is the one from the Bible, which says love is kind and patient. I don't think you can exhaust that
because, as human beings, it's not easy to be kind when you're angry or to be patient when you're overwhelmed. So, it's something both of us keep going back to and try to meditate on because that's the only way, and that's the real, true love. That's like love from God. So, it's the only baseline that won't be corrupted. For me, it's just going back to that scripture and trying as much as possible to keep doing, even if you're failing and getting up. For anyone who is looking for love, not for the love that we have, but a love that God has for them, you should start from that scripture which says love is kind, love is, you know, the different things that are stated, and just be there, and God will bring you out and flourish it.
@aaddaahh
WHEN YOU REALISE YOU’VE BEEN MANAGING LIFE, NOT LIVING IT
It usually hits you in a small moment.
Not during a crisis. Not when something goes wrong. More like when someone asks you a simple question.
“How are you?”
And you pause. Not because you don’t know what to say, but because the honest answer doesn’t fit into the time allocated for the question.
You say, “I’m fine,” because things are technically working. Bills are paid. Deadlines are being met. People can rely on you. Nothing is on fire.
But later, you realise something else.
You’ve been managing life. Not really living it.
None of this is new. It’s just rarely said out loud.
Managing is quiet. It looks responsible. It doesn’t attract attention. It’s what you do when things need to keep moving, and there isn’t room to slow down.
You plan. You organise.
You anticipate problems before they arrive.
You notice you’ve started solving problems before people finish explaining them. You become very good at making sure nothing breaks.
At some point, that becomes your default.
You don’t remember deciding to live this way. It just happened gradually. One responsibility at a time. One “I’ll handle it” after another.
You start measuring days by what got done, not how they felt. You prioritise what’s urgent over what’s interesting. You postpone things that don’t have obvious consequences attached to them.
Curiosity can wait.
Rest can wait.
Joy can wait.
They’ve been waiting so long; you’ve stopped checking on them.
And to be clear, sometimes that practicality is necessary. For many people, it isn’t optional. It’s survival.
What makes this tricky is that managing life often looks like maturity from the outside.
You’re reliable. You’re composed.
You seem to have things under control.
People trust you because you don’t make things complicated.
But inside, you’re mostly reacting. Adjusting. Keeping things from tipping over. You’re not unhappy exactly. ADA OBIAJUNWA
You’re just busy holding things together. And because it works, no one questions it. Including you.
You don’t wake up one day and decide to stop living. You just keep choosing what needs to be done.
Early responsibility has a way of crowding things out before you ever realise it has.
Not in dramatic ways. Not as loss. More like absence.
You learn how to be reliable before you learn how to be curious. You learn how to manage outcomes before you learn how to explore options. You become good at holding things together long before you ever ask what you actually want to hold.
Certain questions get postponed without ceremony. Not because they don’t matter, but because there isn’t room for them yet. You tell yourself you’ll come back to them later.
But time moves quickly when you’re being useful. By the time life slows down enough for reflection, you realise some instincts were never exercised. Play. Experimentation. The freedom to try something badly and walk away. None of it was taken from you deliberately.
It was simply crowded out by necessity. You didn’t choose responsibility over living.
You just kept choosing what needed to be done.
And that choice, repeated often enough, becomes a shape you live inside without noticing.
This isn’t about regret. And it’s not about undoing anything.
Awareness doesn’t make you less capable. It usually makes you more precise. It’s about noticing.
About recognising the difference between being capable and being present. About understanding that managing life is sometimes required, but it isn’t the same thing as living it.
You don’t need to fix anything yet. You don’t need a plan. You just need the honesty to admit what mode you’ve been in. Because awareness is usually the first quiet shift. And maybe that’s the Luxury Silk.
THE ULTIMATE DATE-NIGHT MAKEUP MISTAKES TO
AVOID ON VALENTINE’S DAY
BY DORCAS AKINTOYE
Valentine’s Day comes with a lot of pressure, as you want to look good, feel confident, and still look like yourself. Whether it’s a first date, a long-term partner, or even a solo self-love date, makeup is meant to enhance you, not stress you out. The problem is that many people make small makeup mistakes that ruin the whole vibe. Too much of this, too little of that, or trying something new at the wrong time can leave you uncomfortable all night. In this article, we will show you five common date-night makeup mistakes to avoid on Valentine’s Day.
TRYING A NEW MAKEUP LOOK FOR THE FIRST TIME ON VALENTINE’S DAY
This is a common mistake. Valentine’s Day isn’t the time to try an untested makeup style from TikTok or Instagram. New looks carry risks. The foundation shade might clash with your skin. The eyeliner shape may not flatter your eyes. The lipstick could smear or dry out quickly. If something goes wrong, you’ll be distracted by your appearance rather than enjoying the moment. It’s safer to stick to what works for you. If you want to try something new, rehearse it for several days in advance.
WEARING TOO MUCH FOUNDATION OR HEAVY MAKEUP
Many assume Valentine’s Day makeup must be dramatic to be appealing. Not so. Excessive foundation or heavy layering makes skin look cakey and feel suffocating. Apply just enough foundation to even your complexion, allowing your natural skin to shine through.
IGNORING SKIN PREP BEFORE MAKEUP
No matter the price tag, makeup can’t mask dry, oily, or unprepped skin. Skipping skin prep silently sabotages your look. Always cleanse, moisturise, and prime your face according to your skin type. This step ensures makeup applies smoothly and lasts longer.
OVERDOING THE EYES OR LIPS
A frequent error is making everything bold—intense eyeshadow, thick lashes, striking lipstick, sculpted contour, and defined brows. When every feature competes, the result is overwhelming rather than enchanting. Aim for balance in your makeup.
FORGETTING COMFORT AND LONGEVITY
Makeup that looks beautiful in the mirror but feels uncomfortable can impact your entire night. Lashes that irritate, lipstick that dries, or foundation that feels heavy can distract you and take away from your experience. When you’re comfortable, your confidence and joy will shine through—helping you fully enjoy your Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day makeup needn’t be flawless—it just needs to make you comfortable. The aim isn’t to dazzle at any cost, but to feel confident enough to relish the moment. Skip these makeup mistakes, simplify your look, and remember: the best thing you can wear is confidence.
BY JOHNSON CHUKWUEKE
Let’s be honest: love languages sound cute online, but real life doesn’t always cooperate. Between burnout, unread messages, money stress, and people learning emotional skills in real time, love rarely shows up as perfectly wrapped gifts or dramatic declarations. For Gen Z especially, love is happening in a world that’s loud, fast, and emotionally demanding. So the real question isn’t “What’s your love language?” but “Do you actually feel understood?” That’s where love languages become useful, not performative.
LOVE LANGUAGES ARE ABOUT EFFORT, NOT VIBES
Your love language isn’t a personality trait; it’s information. Saying “this is just how I am” and refusing to adjust isn’t authenticity, it’s avoidance. Real love means trying, even when it feels awkward or unnatural. Effort is attractive. Effort is love.
BEYOND GIFTS AND GESTURES
Love Languages For Real Life
YOUR LOVE LANGUAGE CHANGES WITH LIFE
You’re not the same person you were two years ago. Why would your emotional needs stay the same? On busy days, acts of service might hit harder than words. During emotional moments, reassurance might matter more than gifts. Love languages aren’t fixed identities; they’re flexible needs.
LOVE LANGUAGES GO BEYOND ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS
Friendships, siblings, chosen family, love languages matter there too. Feeling appreciated at work, supported by friends, or emotionally safe at home all come down to the same thing: recognition. Love isn’t limited to dating; it’s a life skill.
INTENT DOESN’T CANCEL IMPACT
You can mean well and still miss the mark. Sending gifts when someone needs presence, or offering advice when they want empathy, can feel disconnected. Love lands when it’s received well, not when it’s just expressed confidently. Listening is part of loving.
REAL LOVE IS CONSISTENT, NOT CINEMATIC
Gen Z is tired of performative affection. Real love looks like checking in, remembering small details, respecting boundaries, and showing up even when it’s inconvenient. It’s not always exciting, but it’s steady. And steady feels safe.
Love languages aren’t about labels or aesthetics. They’re about attention. About choosing to show care in ways that actually land, not just look good. When love becomes intentional instead of performative, relationships feel lighter, safer, and more real.
HEALTH
THE SILENT BURNOUT YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM IS CARRYING
BY JOHNSON CHUKWUEKE
When exhaustion becomes your default, you wake up tired. You push through the day tired. You rest, but still feel tired. Eventually, the question shifts from “Did I sleep enough?” to “Why do I always feel drained?” This isn’t laziness, and it’s not always about workload. For many, especially in fast-paced, highpressure environments, the real issue is a nervous system that never powers down. Silent burnout isn’t dramatic. It’s constant fatigue, low motivation, irritability, brain fog, and a body that stays tense, even on “easy” days.
YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM IS STUCK ON HIGH ALERT
When stress is constant—work pressure, financial worries, emotional strain, endless notifications—your body adapts by staying alert. Survival mode becomes normal. The problem? High alert burns energy quickly. Even at rest, your body doesn’t relax, so recovery never happens.
SLEEPING MORE ISN’T THE SAME AS RESTING BETTER
You can get eight hours of sleep and still wake up tired if your nervous system never calms down. True rest isn’t just sleep; it’s regulation. Slow breathing, quiet moments, gentle movement, reduced screen time, and moments of safety tell your body it’s okay to relax. Without that signal, rest stays shallow.
EMOTIONAL STRESS SHOWS UP AS PHYSICAL FATIGUE
Silent burnout often hides behind physical symptoms. Heavy limbs. Low energy. Random aches. That’s because emotional and mental stress don’t stay in your head; they live in your body. When your nervous system is overwhelmed, your body starts conserving energy, making even simple tasks feel exhausting.
YOUR BODY CRAVES SAFETY, NOT CONSTANT HUSTLE
Unpredictable schedules, multitasking, and nonstop pressure confuse the nervous system. Simple routines, regular meals, consistent sleep times, and daily walks create stability. When your body feels safe and predictable, energy slowly returns. Productivity comes after regulation, not before it.
PUSHING THROUGH IS MAKING IT WORSE
Ignoring fatigue and forcing productivity are among the fastest ways to deepen burnout. Healing begins when you listen rather than override. Slowing down, setting boundaries, saying no, and resting without guilt aren’t indulgences, they’re repairs. Energy comes back when your body feels respected, not punished.
Being tired all the time isn’t a personal flaw. It’s a message. One that your body has probably been sending for a while. When you stop treating exhaustion like a weakness and start seeing it as information, recovery becomes possible. Sometimes the most radical health decision you can make is simply allowing yourself to slow down.
Outgrowing Friends Gracefully WHEN LOVE REMAINS BUT SEASONS CHANGE
Growth Changes the Language of Connection
As you grow, your values, interests, and goals shift. Conversations that once flowed easily may start to feel repetitive or distant. This doesn’t mean anyone is wrong; it simply means your inner worlds are changing. Acknowledging this helps you understand the shift without resentment.
Guilt Is Not a Reason to Stay
Staying in friendships out of obligation can quietly drain your energy. It’s okay to accept that a connection no longer aligns with who you are becoming. Choosing peace doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful; it means you’re honest.
Distance Isn’t Always Disrespect
Sometimes life creates space naturally—new jobs, relationships, cities, or routines. Not every friendship can survive constant closeness. Allowing distance without forcing connection protects both people from tension.
Love Can Exist Without Daily Access
You can care about someone without constant communication. Respect boundaries and wish them well, allowing love to remain without pressure. Some friendships shift into memory, gratitude, and quiet support.
BY JOHNSON CHUKWUEKE
Not every friendship ends with drama. Some simply evolve, quietly, gently, and honestly. Learning how to outgrow people without bitterness might be one of adulthood’s most important lessons. Friendships often begin effortlessly. You meet, you click, and suddenly life feels easier with that person around. But as years pass, priorities shift, routines change, and personal growth takes different directions. Without any argument or betrayal, you may realise that a friendship no longer fits the life you’re building. Outgrowing friends can feel confusing and even painful. Society rarely talks about it without attaching guilt or blame. We’re taught to hold on tightly, even when the connection feels forced. But growth isn’t betrayal, it’s a natural part of living. Some people are meant to walk with us for a season, not a lifetime. The beauty lies in learning how to let friendships evolve with honesty, respect, and kindness, without erasing the love that once existed.
Make Room for New Seasons
Letting go creates space for new connections that align with your present self. New friendships often meet you where you are now, not who you used to be. Growth thrives when you embrace change rather than resist it.
Outgrowing friends doesn’t erase shared laughter, history, or love. It means the relationship has changed. When handled with honesty and compassion, transitions in friendship can be beautiful. Life moves in seasons, and so do people. Honouring each phase without forcing permanence allows you to grow freely while carrying love forward, not regret.
How Candles, Oils, And Diffusers Elevate Your Home
BY DORCAS AKINTOYE
WTHEY ADD STYLE AND ELEGANCE
Candles, oils, and diffusers don’t just smell nice; they also serve as beautiful decor pieces. Candles come in different colours, shapes, and designs, making them perfect for matching your room’s style. By carefully choosing these pieces, you can add a touch of class to your space without spending much.
THEY
CREATE A WARM AND WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE
There’s something about walking into a room and being greeted by a soft glow from candles or the calming scent of essential oils. These elements instantly make a space feel warm and inviting. A flickering candle in the corner or a diffuser spreading a refreshing aroma can make your living room feel cosy, your bedroom feel relaxing, or your bathroom feel spa-like. This warmth is what makes a house truly feel like a home.
THEY HELP DEFINE THE MOOD OF EACH ROOM
Scents play a big role in how a space feels. For example, lavender oils in a diffuser can make your bedroom calm and restful, while citrus scents in the living room can keep the space bright and energetic. By choosing scents wisely, you can set the right mood for each room, making your home not just beautiful but also emotionally balanced.
THEY BRING A
SENSE OF PERSONAL TOUCH
Decorating with candles, oils, and diffusers allows you to express your personality. The scents you choose often reflect your taste and lifestyle, whether you love floral, fruity, woody, or spicy fragrances. The type of candle jars or diffuser styles you pick also says something about your design preference. This personal touch is what makes your home feel unique and different from anyone else’s.
THEY ENHANCE RELAXATION AND WELL-BEING
Home decor isn’t just about how things look; it’s also about how they make you feel. Candles, oils, and diffusers are known for their calming effects. Lighting a candle or activating a diffuser after a long day can help reduce stress, improve your mood, and create a peaceful environment.
Candles, oils, and diffusers are small additions that can make a big difference in your home. They don’t just decorate; they transform. So, the next time you’re thinking of ways to elevate your home, don’t overlook these simple yet powerful details.
hen you think about decorating your home, your mind might first go to furniture, paint colours, or wall art. But sometimes, it’s the little details that make the biggest difference. Candles, oils, and diffusers might look simple, but they have a powerful way of transforming your space. Beyond just looking nice, they add warmth, personality, and a sense of comfort to your home. In this article, we will show you ways candles, oils, and diffusers can elevate your home decor.
Is Dating at Work Ever a Good Idea?
What to Consider
POWER DYNAMICS CHANGE EVERYTHING
Dating a colleague at the same level is very different from dating someone who reports to you, or who you report to. Power imbalance creates ethical risks, perceptions of favouritism, and long-term career complications. Even if the relationship feels mutual, how it looks to others can quietly damage credibility.
PRIVACY IS HARDER THAN YOU THINK
Workplaces are observant spaces. Subtle changes in behaviour, body language, or loyalty rarely go unnoticed. Keeping a relationship “low-key” is harder when colleagues see you every day. Once personal dynamics become visible, they can influence how you’re treated, fairly or not.
YOUR WORKPLACE CULTURE MATTERS
Some offices are relaxed and human; others are strict and highly political. Company policies, leadership style, and team dynamics all affect how workplace relationships are perceived. What’s tolerated in one environment can be careerlimiting in another. Knowing your workplace culture is essential before making emotional decisions.
BREAKUPS DON’T STAY PERSONAL
The real test of workplace dating isn’t the relationship, it’s the breakup. Emotional fallouts can affect focus, collaboration, and mental health. Seeing an ex daily, attending meetings together, or managing shared responsibilities requires emotional maturity that many people underestimate.
BY JOHNSON CHUKWUEKE
Workplace romance isn’t new, but it’s still complicated. Long hours, shared pressure, emotional vulnerability, and constant proximity can quickly blur the lines. For many professionals, especially young people navigating careers and relationships at the same time, the question isn’t if attraction can happen at work, but whether acting on it is worth the risk. Before mixing personal feelings with professional spaces, here’s what truly matters.
ASK YOURSELF WHAT YOU’RE WILLING TO RISK
Careers take time to build and seconds to complicate. That doesn’t mean workplace dating is always wrong, but it should be intentional. Ask yourself honestly: if this ends badly, can I still do my job well? Can I stay professional? Am I prepared for consequences?
Dating at work isn’t automatically a bad idea, but it’s never a casual one. The smartest approach balances emotion with foresight, honesty with discretion, and attraction with accountability. Sometimes love grows where you least expect it. Just make sure it doesn’t cost you more than it gives.
5 FOODS TO AVOID ON VALENTINE’S DAY
BY DORCAS AKINTOYE
Valentine’s Day is about love, connection, romance, and good memories. Whether going on a date, dining at home, or spending the day with someone special, your food choices can quietly affect the experience. Some foods can affect your breath, stomach, energy, or even your mood. In this article, we’ll show you five foods to avoid on Valentine’s Day, and why.
GARLIC-HEAVY FOODS
Garlic is delicious, yes. But Cupid would probably pass on garlic-heavy feasts. Dishes like garlic rice, garlicky sauces, or loads of garlic chicken will leave you with a stubborn aroma that outlasts even your best brushing efforts. Close-up chats, cuddles, and kisses might lose their magic if garlic breath joins the party. Why let something so small crash your romantic vibe?
BEANS
AND VERY GASSY FOODS
Beans, lentils, cabbage, and some other foods can cause gas and bloating. This means stomach discomfort, unnecessary movement in your belly, and sometimes embarrassing sounds. These foods are healthy, yes, but Valentine’s Day is about comfort too. You want to feel light, relaxed, and confident, not worried about your stomach’s next move.
VERY SPICY FOODS
Spicy food can be tempting, especially if you love pepper. But on Valentine’s Day, it can cause problems. Too much pepper can cause sweating, stomach pain, heartburn, or even a runny stomach. Spicy food can also make your lips burn, which isn't great if kissing is involved.
SUGARY FOODS AND TOO MUCH CHOCOLATE
Chocolate is a Valentine’s Day classic. But too much sugar is not your friend. Excess sugar can cause a sugar rush, then sudden tiredness. It can also lead to bloating and bad breath. Instead of feeling sweet and energetic, you may feel weak, sleepy, or uncomfortable. A little chocolate is fine. Just don’t overdo it.
ALCOHOL
IN EXCESS
A glass of wine or a small drink can be romantic. But too much alcohol can ruin the mood. Excess alcohol can make you tired, dizzy, emotional, or say things you may later regret. It can also cause bad breath and dehydration. If you must drink, keep it small and controlled.
Valentine’s Day isn’t just about the food on your fork, but about how you feel in your heart. Pick meals that let you shine with confidence, comfort, and joy. Choose wrong, and your date turns into a comedy—or a calamity. Let your meal celebrate you, not stress you out.
cassy’s chronicles
MY VALENTINE'S DAY
David and I started as friends. Just friends. The kind that talked every day and laughed too loudly in public. People noticed us. Some people even thought we were dating. We always laughed it off.
Somewhere along the line, I got attached. I didn’t plan it. It just happened. One day, we were discussing something, and he randomly said he liked me, just like that.
I don’t even think he knew how serious it sounded to me. But I held onto it. I
kept it in my heart like something I could build hope on.
We were never official. Nothing was clear. But we talked a lot. Hung out a lot. And in my head, I thought maybe one day he would ask me out properly.
Then he told me he was relocating to another state. He was relocating to Calabar.
I waited. I honestly waited for him to say something about us. I thought maybe this would be the moment he would finally speak. But he didn’t. And I didn’t ask either. I didn’t want to sound
desperate. I didn’t want to be the girl who cared more. After he left, everything changed.
We barely talked. He was always busy. Replies took hours. Sometimes days.
It's been almost 5 months since he left, and he got more distant each day.
I had to tell myself the truth I didn’t want to hear, that he was probably seeing someone else. I forced myself to move on, even though I never really did.
Month after month, and it was Valentine's Day, and as usual, I had accepted that nothing was going to happen. I was at home, doing random things, trying not to think about love, couples, or anything romantic, when my phone buzzed.
It was David.
He said he was in town and asked if we could meet. I froze.
My heart was beating too fast, but I told myself not to overthink it. It probably meant nothing—just a friendly catch-up. Still, I rushed to get ready. I didn’t even know what to wear. I felt unprepared, inside and outside. When I got to the address he sent, seeing him again felt strange. Familiar, but different. We hugged. It lingered longer than I expected.
We ate and talked like old times. But there was something in the air. He looked at me differently. I felt it.
He offered to take me home.
At my apartment, we finally talked. The conversation I had wanted for so long. He told me he missed me. Told me he never stopped thinking about me. Told me distance made him realise things he ignored before.
I was quiet for a moment. I told him how I felt, too, how I waited, how I didn’t know where I stood with him back then.
He apologised. Said he was scared of doing things wrong.
When he kissed me, it felt natural, like something that was always supposed to happen. We didn’t rush. We just stayed close. Sat on the couch. His arm around me. My head on his shoulder.
Then he looked at me and asked the question I never thought I’d hear.
He asked me out. Properly.
My heart skipped, but I didn’t answer immediately.
I told him the truth. That I liked him. That I still did. But I wanted time. Time to think. Time to be sure. I didn’t want to rush into something and get hurt again.
He understood.
When he left that night, I stood by my door for a long time.
I didn’t know what would happen next. But for the first time in a long time, I was genuinely happy.
And somehow, that made it the best Valentine’s Day I had ever had.
BY BOLUWATIFE
ADESINA
The opening scenes of Send Help play like one of those AI-generated clips proliferating online. A bully is tormenting someone wellmeaning and ill-equipped to deal with the onslaught. When the tables are turned, the bully is thoroughly humiliated, and their victim comes out on top.
And that’s where the film’s air of predictability evaporates. Once director Sam Raimi’s enthusiasm for black humour goes to work on this set-up, you’re not sure what’s going to happen next.
At the start, Rachel McAdams’ Linda Liddle, the office nerd with a genius for mathematics, is being verbally abused by Bradley Preston (Dylan O’Brien), her new boss, a loudmouth determined to put her down because she was a favourite of his father, her former boss. Having awarded her promised promotion to a member of the boys’ club who makes up his circle of chief executives, he grudgingly includes her in a business trip to Thailand aboard the company’s plane, but the plane crashes en route, killing everybody aboard except for Bradley and Linda.
They wash up together on a remote island that looks a little like the one that became home to Tom Hanks in Cast Away, but there’s no sign of Wilson, the volleyball that kept him company. Instead, Linda and Bradley must deal with one another as they navigate a radical shift in status.
After treating Bradley’s leg wound, Linda, an avid fan of the TV series Survivor, swiftly rigs up a shelter, secures a supply of drinking water, catches a fish dinner and manages to coax a campfire into being by using two sticks and a lot of friction. After making a feeble attempt to pull
rank, Bradley finds that he can do little but lie back and watch her in action.
Raimi, who shot part of the film in Sydney, rejoices in the comedy of exaggeration. Linda’s finest moment comes when she sharpens a stick and goes into battle with a wild boar, emerging blood-soaked and victorious to dump the boar’s severed head beside Bradley on the sand. But the script’s main focus is on Linda and Bradley’s see-sawing relationship – especially when they start being nice to one another. Even though we’re encouraged to conjure with the possibility that romance is in the air, it’s hard to imagine that Bradley could ever be trusted.
And Linda, too, is hiding a few secrets which are gradually revealed as she adapts to her altered circumstances. McAdams brings great verve and humour to the part. Linda, in office mode, is another exercise in exaggeration, dressed up in a beige cardigan, battered lace-ups, and a chronic stoop, all of which highlight the makeover taking place on the island through her delirious discovery of the warrior woman within. The big question is how far she’s going to go with this new version of herself.
O’Brien is also good at ringing the changes. As the two of them sit by the fire one night, exchanging confidences about unhappy episodes in the past, they give every sign of being sincere –something which adds an extra charge to the next inevitable act of betrayal. There are gaping holes in the plot, which become very obvious by the end, but Raimi has issued an early warning that he’s not out to make sense here. He treats us to a crafty mix of blood, gore and gallows humour featuring two actors inviting us to share in the great time they’re having.
I have to say, when I was watching Iron Man 3 in the theatre, I never imagined it would still be relevant within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) all these years later. And I imagine most Marvel fans felt the same – seeing as that film was polarising at the time and certainly hasn’t aged much better. But here we are, with Trevor “The Mandarin” Slattery continuing to be a crucial character within the MCU. And you know what? I’m here for it because Wonder Man turned out to be one of the strongest Marvel projects in this entire messy Phase Five-Six experience.
If there’s one criticism I’ve had about the MCU for several years now, it’s that the writing often loses sight of the characters while rushing to get to that final act showdown with whichever interchangeable villain our hero is fighting this time around. Because so much of these superhero tales gets wrapped up in juxtaposing our heroes against the villain, we often lose sight of the humanity that exists within both – even when our characters aren’t strictly human. At the heart of storytelling is the need to relate the characters – their hopes, dreams, failings, etc. – to the audience. We need to see ourselves in some form on screen to empathise with the characters.
Which is what makes Wonder Man such an outlier to the rest of the recent MCU fare. The series seems almost allergic to big set pieces, to super powers, and to reminding us that despite trying to get cast to play a superhero in a major motion picture, Simon Williams (the great Yahya AbdulMateen II) is actually a super-powered individual (it seems he’s most likely a mutant in this version of the character – although the series never really gets too deep into his power set or the story of his powers manifesting).
Instead, what we get with Wonder Man is the story of a man who is so consumed with his own craft that he’s pushed away everyone in his life and is still unable to get out of his own head until Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley, absolutely great once again) becomes the best friend he never knew he needed. Wonder Man is a story about the power of platonic male friendship. And it’s just wonderful.
When you’re doing a buddy story, the number one requirement is chemistry between
your leading men. And Abdul-Mateen and Kingsley have that in spades. Abdul-Mateen is tasked with being the straight man, the guy with the chip on his shoulder who doesn’t want to succumb to the considerable charm of Kingsley’s Slattery. And yet, it’s easy to understand just why this stoic man – who is struggling to hide his own superpowers
(which are a necessary but not overly important element of the story) would latch onto the lifeline Slattery throws his way. And Slattery? Trapped in an impossible situation by the villainous Department of Damage Control (DODC), we can easily understand why he makes all the moves he makes within the story – from befriending Simon, becoming his true friend, and how the story ends. I went into this series not expecting much, but by the end, I found myself really hoping this isn’t the last time we see either Simon or Trevor in the MCU.
I’ve often written that a series works because the writers understand what it is and what it isn’t. And here, the team of writers knew exactly what they were doing in crafting this particular story. Keeping the focus on the relationship between Simon and Trevor helped to ground the more “Marvel-y” moments and make them feel a bit less jarring. The story’s foundation was the friendship between two seemingly very different men. That’s the through-line that kept things grounded when superpowers came into play. And keeping each episode to under 40 minutes? Genius. Wonder Man was a quick, smart, incredibly well-acted, and very well-written ride. Even if you’ve succumbed to MCU fatigue, this one is worth your time.
Kaelin Ellis; Mick Jenkins; Saba - Come