Felicity Amaka Ezekwe, Writer, Model, and serial reader talks about her idea of life, dreams, fears, fun and confidence, as she becomes Anterior Strides’ first ‘LADY DYNAMIQUE’ of the week. For Felicity, life as a woman is a journey in which faith in one’s skin and style is expedient. Highlighting the difference her life has made in the last one year, Felicity unveils that she was worried sick about life after NYSC. In addition to that, her skin was bland and her body skinny. However, it is the intentionality in accepting what she cannot change that has kept her going.
What is Your Passion and What Connection has it with Your Feminity?
According to an article I read, written by Fred Swaniker of the African Leadership Group, “to determine if something is your purpose, it must answer three questions, one of which is; “Are you passionate about it? Does it pass the sleepless night test?” After reading this, seeing that WRITING has since been one thing I love to do gladly, and that it also passes the sleepless night test. I can confidently say that writing is my passion.Writing makes me feel like I’m pregnant with ideas. Through writing, I’m able to purge emotions that I would’t have been able to orally. For me, this passion has nothing to do with my feminity, especially as one with a flair for writing romance.
What would be the Most amazing Adventure to Explore?
Hmmmm, I would fancy going on a road trip with a lover.
Talk about Your Favourite Day and the Significance it holds for you.
I really don’t have a favourite day for now. I cherish every day and try my best to make each day count. I look forward to tagging the day I discover God’s purpose for me as my favourite day.
Have You heard Worst things about you? How did that affect you?
A Greek Stoic Philosopher, Epictetus, said; “Another person will not hurt you without your cooperation. You are hurt the moment you believe yourself to be.” I have heard some person’s negative opinions about me, directly and otherwise, and I wouldn’t say I consider any of those negative opinions the worst things I have ever heard. This is because I live my life void of expectations in preparedness of whatever comes. Keeping records of bad things people say to me is really unnecessary. This is because, neither the person nor his/her opinion matters, talk more of adding money into my bank account.
How Different was your Life a Year Ago?
About a year ago, my skin was bland and I was skinnier. Hehehe. I consitently worried about what life would be for me as I was passing out of NYSC and scared that my age was quickly advancing and I had nothing much to show for almost 3 decades of existence. Today I’m more at peace with how things are gradually falling into place. It’s something that comes with taking each day one step at a time.
The most Interesting things about You would be?
Some of the most interesting things about me include;
- Capacity to love and be loved – I value relations with others and the people I feel most close to are the ones that feel most close to me.
- Love of learning – I love learning and I consider anywhere and everywhere an opportunity to learn. However, I would jump at any opportunity to visit the museum.
- Zest, enthusiasm and energy – regardless of what I do, I love to approach it with excitement and energy.
- Gratitude – I am grateful of the good things that happen to me and I never take them for granted.
- Humor and playfulness – I like to laugh and tease, I try to see the light side of all situations.
- And…… I’m good looking and sexy!
Given 40 Minutes with Absolutely no Preparation to make a speech presentation, what issue would that be?
That issue would be sexual abuse.
What does Freedom mean to You?
Freedom is more about making mistakes and learning from them. Being able to take risks, choosing what to give fucks about, having faith in myself and accepting that I don’t have it all figured out.
What Do You Struggle with as a Woman?
Trying to live my life as I see it, amidst societal expectations of how a woman should live. As a woman you are expected to behave in a certain way, walk and talk in a certain way, get married and have children, not be seen outside at a certain time and the list goes on. Being surrounded by family, employers and colleagues with these mentality makes it no easy.
Are there Beliefs about Women you disagree with?
There are a lot of shitty beliefs about how a woman should live her life that I totally do not subscribe to. Some of these include;
All women —
- Should become mothers,
- experience sexual harassment because of provocative dressing,
- shouldn’t object when their partners make sexual advances,
- should be more submissive while men exercise more power and control,
- shouldn’t be career driven but family oriented ONLY and so on.
How has Your Strength helped you to Conquer Certain stereotypes about Being Human?
When faced with any situation, I like to see the light side of it. I stopped hushing myself, trying to meet up with societal expectations and trying to please everyone. I started living and doing the things I love doing, things that help me express myself. By doing all these, I have a greater understanding of myself. I have conquered certain stereotypes by accepting that I’m only human. Therefore, refusing to give in to other people’s believe of how humans should live, for me, is now a lifestyle.
What is in your Future for WOMANITY?
Sincerely, I would love to create a safe space where women of different shapes and sizes, skin colors and height feel completely comfortable to express themselves without the fear of being body shamed.
Final Notes
I will like to say thank you so much to Anterior Strides for this great opportunity. I feel so honored. Cheers to more.
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