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Prologue(Very Important)

For every movie script that is being produced, there is and has always been a part that we call the "Prologue" and the "Epilogue". The prologue is the introductory section that sets the stage for the story to follow. Unlike the epilogue, which is placed after the main body of the story.

So here comes the beginning of my story:

My names are Ezra Aduramigba Gift, and I grew up in a not-so-well-to-do family. We were a family of 5, but now a family of four. I lost my father at a very tender age(I think I was 3 years by then), and was critically sick for 4 years, so basically, I started my life at age 7. I was sort of a loner by then, In fact, My anxiety began that same year.

Anyways, my siblings all had very good brains, and I was no exception. I was one of those kids who didn't have to study too much to get good academic grades. it was either the first position or the second position, I was loved by all teachers and maybe students(guess I wouldn't even know that since I was and still am a very shy human). Plus, I wasn't much of a talker, so the only thing I could easily relate to was my books. I LOVE READING BOOKS A LOT, and perhaps also writing as well.

And as much as I'd love to talk about my struggles while growing up, i just don't think i am ready to do that, but I think there's a word that perfectly fits into the world I was born into - "NOT BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON". We had to struggle. And I learned to take care of myself from that very tender age(7 years). So, frying and selling stuff in school and trying to keep up with grades was something I didn't think i could do. But I did it and even came out with "Distinction" in my tertiary institution grades. Yes, and I studied Computer Science. My most hated course and program.

If you had known me in my secondary school days, you would have felt sorry for me with the course I was given in school. I'm sorry but not sorry, I hated that subject in my SS days, cause I feel it was bogus and vast, I didn't like something that would take all my time to learn and to know. But Unfortunately(or Fortunately) for me, that was the course I was offered to study at the polytechnic, oh, please did I tell you that I was on a scholarship and I couldn't decline the offer? I was terrified and sad and my anxiety increased by over 100. I was already seeing myself as a disappointment cause I thought I was going to fail this course regardless.

However, that didn't happen, cause I read like never before, I tripled my effort, and the only thing that made me do that was because of my mum, "to make her happy". I can categorically say 80% of the stuff I have done in this life is to make my mum happy and I forgot bout my happiness, which led to a "severe depression". it was severe, and although, I am still trying to be sane most of the time, it is just kinda depressing to be depressed most times(Did you see what I did there, lol).

Anyways, I did well and came out well, immediately after that, I got a job in Gtbank to work in the customer care service unit and I did that for a year and I stopped, God, it was tiring, coupled with the fact that I had to talk and smile every second to customers. Nope, that wasn't my thing, as at then, I didn't mind not earning money, I just wanna be indoors with my books and music, far away from all the bustling of this world.

This is where the word "OMO" is needed, this is the slang we mostly use in Nigeria when you've reached your lowest or probably about to. We all know as this popular adage goes- An idle man is the Devil's workshop. I was the devil's workshop for that period, in the sense that, there wasn't anything i didn't think of, even to the point of suicide. After getting my senses back, I moved back to Lagos, all this time I was in Akure, having schooled(tertiary institution) there, I decided then to stay there, mostly because of the peace and quietness, unlike Lagos. That being said, I came back home, just like the prodigal son, and Started my perfume business then with the 15k I was able to gather and save, I started with perfume oils, and I made doubled the money, I loved it there and then and decided within myself that I would build this brand and make it grow, you can check out my page on Instagram TheFamePerfumery. And I did it, even owning a store in Ikeja.

After that I was restless, cause I wanted more to do with my life, I wanted to be able to give out to my mum any day and any time without any restrictions. So I dusted my certificates and went in search of jobs, it wasn't long before I got one, Guess where?, IN THE BANK. Yes, in the bank again, I got the job mainly because I wasn't going to speak with customers and yes, i also wasn't going to be counting money. I was to supervise all the ATMs around the country(Nigeria) and ensure their functionality ALWAYS. It was nice and wasn't choking me, although, I really wouldn't say it wasn't tasking cause it was, I just needed to learn how to manage my time. And I did that for a year, and QUITTED.

My goal for 2022 was to finally start doing what I love doing and not what I have to do. I got this advice first from my therapist a year before that. In his word, "Gift you need to start living for yourself, then he went ahead to ask me to list what I love doing and what brings me peace". I listed all while smiling. it was thrilling for me because I just listed all this stuff, I have not even started implementing it and I have this kinda profound peace and happiness. it was there and then I started working on myself. And part of the things I love doing is ART. I love Designing. This brings me to my next Phase.

Getting into Tech

Just like I said earlier on, I'm a loner and most times, I make decisions by myself without involving anyone. The two times I have quitted my work was a self-decision that I didn't even inform neither my mom or siblings. Although, This last one, got my mom very pissed at me, cause I didn't tell her until after a month. I stopped working in the bank in September 2022, and I told my mum by October. Also, I started my Tech Training around Oct ending. I was to learn product design for 3 months at TECH STUDIO ACADEMY, you can check them out on Instagram. I paid a down payment even before quitting my job, this is just to make me serious about the decision I have to make. And by September, I was ready to progress to being a Techie (Lol).

The first problem encountered

My journey into Tech has been one of a kind. I can remember vividly a day I woke up in the early hours of the morning to cry a little(wasn't a little though) before starting my day. That was just the tip of the iceberg.

Starting my career as a product designer would require me to MOVE from my former place to a place closer to the academy. Unfortunately, I didn't think about that and we all know how houses are very expensive in this Lagos coupled with the fact that ill be moving to a more popular environment on the mainland. I had to use ALL my SAVINGS to get a place. (please emphasize the "ALL"), I was left with nothing, other than my physical body and a goal in mind.

I started my class regardless and everything was going on smoothly until it was time to pay my remaining balance. I didn't know what to do or where to get that from. I started losing focus in the class and was always running late there as well all in the cause of how to get their payment. I called my mum and explained my plight to her but there was little to what she can do, I didn't want to stress her so I told her I was going to find a way and that she shouldn't bother about it. After that, I had to call my best friend, I told him what I was facing and how tired I was, all of this was around December and we all know how hard it is to get money from people during this period. But then, my friend came through, and he was able to give me at least 70% of the fees and I balanced up from my end.

I was able to complete my training by January, collected my certificates and started working on designing more products for my portfolio.

January - April 2023

So what have I achieved so far as a product designer;

• A week after I graduated from the academy, I got a message from them, in their words," Would you like to intern with us cause we will be glad to recruit you for the position". I was shocked and very happy at the same time. This wasn't even about the money, I just wanted to learn more and work on more projects and also have a good portfolio. I resumed the following week as an intern at the academy, I was given a personal project to work on, I was to clone the Netflix site, I was given a time frame(48hrs), and I was to submit and present on the third day

  

I worked within my timeframe and I ensure I prototype my work before presenting.

• After spending two weeks of learning and relearning, I was given a class to handle and I was supervised for the first two weeks. And this was how I started my tech career as an instructor. I passed down my knowledge to my students, I LOVED IT. I love connecting with new people, from January till now, I have taken about 4 classes, and everyone loves me. well, I'm mostly lovable(Lolz). I have also worked on personal projects that I wouldn't be able to share. (I'm sorry, privacy commitment). But you can check my Behance Profile for some of my other projects.

• A few weeks after that, I got freelance work from a realtor, He needs me to design a website for his company and he paid $1105.230. I was very happy about it and I even introduced some of the other web developers I know to help run the project.

• I also started my classes for outside-country students, I started with just 2 students and I charged them $434 each. I also got two more students in Nigeria.

• I have also been promoted from an intern to a full staff of the academy. And it's been all fun and making new connections and friends with my students.

• The most interesting thing I love about Figma is the "Component". I love doing various animations using component sets on Figma, and I usually post that on my newly created Instagram page. I get to be praised online for how good I have become, and that has been more than enough to keep me moving in my tech journey.

  Did it end there?

  I am already tired, and I assume you are also. So I'll be sharing and splitting my journey as a product designer into "Parts". Oh, I almost forget about this, ANYWAYS, in a month, I will be a professional TECHNICAL WRITER. Expect that "part" in my blog next time. This is just part one and believe me there's still a lot to share. Especially my losses and MOST ESPECIALLY my wins as well. So Stay Tuned.

Thank you for reading. This post was put together in less than 20hrs, so I apologize if it is too lengthy or incoherent at any point. I hope you found inspiration in my story and that we all reach for the moon in the next quarter of 2023.

Of course, your feedback is much appreciated :) If you liked it, don't forget to share it with someone who might need motivation.