To be honest, this life no balance at all. One minute you’re in school dreaming big, the next you’re out there looking for job up and down, sending CVs everywhere, and nothing is working. That was my story after graduation.
But one thing I had deep inside me even back in school was this love for makeup. I just liked it naturally. I didn’t have all the fancy tools back then, but anytime I saw someone do makeup, I would pause and watch. I would try small small on my own face or do trial-and-error on my friends. It was just passion at that time, nothing serious.
Then school ended. I collected my certificate and entered the street of job hunting. If you’ve ever been there, you’ll understand what I mean. Every day you wake up hoping for “we are pleased to inform you” message, but all you see is “we regret…” or worse, nothing at all. I was tired. Really tired. I felt like I was wasting my life, just sitting and waiting for one job that may not even come.
One day I just told myself the truth: “Use your hand do something abeg.” I no fit continue like this. That’s how I registered in one of the best makeup schools in my city. I won’t lie, the fee cut my neck small, but I knew this was something I really wanted. And thank God I did it.
Training was not beans. It was more than I expected but I learned everything from basic makeup to bridal glam, from customer service to pricing and packaging. After that training, I knew I was ready to face the world with my box and brushes.
Business started small. I did makeup for a friend. She posted it online. One of her friends called me. From there it became two people, then five, then plenty. There were some weekends I had back-to-back bookings. I even had to wake as early just to meet up. But I didn’t complain. I was happy. Money was entering and people were appreciating my work. I felt useful.
Then life did its thing. I got married and relocated to new environment. I left everything I built behind. It felt like starting all over again. I’m still new here. Still trying to know road. Still trying to find where my kind of clients dey. Still looking for a good spot to set up. It's not easy, I won't lie. Some days I just open my makeup box, look at it and sigh. I miss the work. I miss my clients. I miss the stress.
But I know say I go start again. I'm taking my time to study the area, meet people gradually. I do not want to rush, when the time come, I will launch and people will hear me.
You see this makeup work ehn, it’s more than money to me. It gives me peace. It gives me joy. It makes me feel like I have something to offer the world. And the best part? I don’t need internet to survive. If everything crash today, no Instagram, no TikTok, no Google, just give me my makeup box and one face, I will deliver well.
That’s why I always tell people, no matter who you be, get one skill. Something that you can rely on, something that you can do with your hands. Degree is good, yes. But sometimes, hand work always save person. Even if you never use it now, you will need it in future.
As for me, I don't worry anymore. I get hand work. I’ve made money from it before and I will still make more. It's just a matter of time. So if the internet like, let it off, my hands will never reject me, my talent never run and I will use it to shine again by God’s grace.
NOTE:- ALL THE PICTURES ARE MINE
This is my response to this episode of hivelearners community prompt of #hl-w173e01 which the topic is tagged. PRACTICAL SKILLS
