My Developmental Process

                                               

Reminiscing, the memories are so clear in my head like it was just yesterday. Ten years ago, still a teenager I felt more like an adult most especially among my peers.😏 As years unfolded, I realized I was just a kid trying so hard to understand life. My perception of life was based on what was passed to me by my parents, to keep my thought from wandering😀 .lol. For instance, I was taught to believe that it was bad to play the flute at night because the spirits of
the dead will be awoken  (My Naija peeps you know this), or so I thought. It was only said for me not to make noise at night. Below is a list of the dynamic and static aspects of me and how I feel about them.
Firstly, my physical aspect has changed a whole lot. Physical development involves changes that occur in a person’s body, including changes in weight and height; in the brain, heart, and other organ structures and processes… (Crandall et al 2012; 5). Back in Nigeria, I always believed my shoe size was 9. Since that wasn't the case, I barely had any shoe that fit. I just assumed that there is no way a 10 will be my size. Naa I take that back, I didn't think there was a size 10 until I moved to the US. Time to head out, and there is not a shoe to wear. I will fit my sister's shoes, and by the end of the outing, my feet hurts like hell. I just said... enough is a enough. I went hunting for shoes that actually fit, lo and behalf there was a size 10! 🙆 I screamed for joy but was sad at the same time. If you wear size 10, you know the struggle. It's hard to get a cute shoe in size 10. All the cute shoes run in small sizes, and those that are available in size 10 are the first to be 'out of stock.' Then there is the problem of inter-shoe sizes. For instance, Zara and Boohoo never get my shoe size, right. Their 10 feels like a 9, and they hurt like hell.
Secondly, my cognitive aspect has changed since my teenage years. Cognitive aspects refer to one’s mental processes. Things that cannot be observed. For instance, as a kid, I always thought all adults were smart and wise, but now I know better. This phrase, "the older you get, the wiser you become," deceived me. I have lost some brain cells, by listening to some so called "smart adults." Now i know that someone much younger that you, can school you on Life. I  have also come to realize that life experiences make us wiser and smart. which is not entirely true, because some peeps will never learn for their experiences or from the experiences of others. *beats me.* I also thought when actors die in a movie that they were dead for good, in the real world. hahaha... I'm dead sure most kids thought so too.  I have come to realize that people are generally different and movies are played out.
Another is the emotional-social aspect. They are changes in an individual’s personality, emotions, and relationships with others. ( Crandell et al 2012, 6). I used to be very timid and shy. I hardly talked to anyone. I was an extreme introvert. For instance, I hardly went to the bank, because I was scared of engaging in a dialogue with people. That stopped when I entered university because I had to conquer my worst nightmare! hahaha. I still keep to myself now, but not as bad as it was then. I have come to realize that you can know more about someone by just observing them.
Fourthly, the static aspect is my name. Names are what people are identified by. My name is who I am. Growing up, learning how my name is spelled was the first thing I learned after learning the alphabets in my language (The Igbo language). It is the most important static aspect about me. My name makes me feel unique and special now, because it’s a thoughtful and beautiful name, meaning “Beautiful Eagle." On that note, I think it's silly for you to change your native name just because it will be hard for people to pronounce. I bet you, you can't pronounce a Hispanic name right or German or Russian name right either. These people keep their names and you have no option than to learn how to pronounce it, but you being the goody two shoes will give people the easy name. lmao😹. well-done!🙌
The next static aspect is my favorite dish. Fried ripped plantain has always been my favorite dish. I can’t remember loving any meals as much as I love ripped plantain.

So this happened on Twitter recently, and I retweeted. Don't get me wrong, I love Riri, but she ain't no fried plantain. Even Riri can attest to this, as you all know, she has put on some weight, and she looks so damn good! I am def sure she didn't eat herself to gain that weight... she ate food that she loves.  She looks like a goddess BTW. 😍
Finally, the most static aspect about me is my physique. I have been a size 2 or 4 since my teenage years depending on the brand. After my bachelor's, I had to give out most of my clothes. I realized that I will never outgrow them in size, maybe in length or age. Back in high school,  when I entered SS1 --I remember being asked by a  fellow student if I was sick. This was after the four month holiday after the JSS3 exam. Unlike every other student, I didn’t gain weight. I was shocked. The question drove me off because I was perfectly healthy. Most times I deliberately consume fattening food but to no avail, I can say I definitely gained weight. In Naija, I weighed 125 lbs, but now I weigh 135 lbs. I have come to accept the fact that this is how I am. Maybe in later years, I might gain..who knows.
In conclusion, my dynamic and static aspect of me is part of who I am. These aspects built the way I view life and observe things. The formed the basis of how my friendships are built, interact with people in my everyday life.