21st Birthday – 21 Questions 

First of all, how did I get here – how am I already 21? I am not ready for the amount of adulting I’m going to have to start doing just because I’m 21 now. Well, can I at least start looking my age? I would really appreciate that actually. Okay okay, let’s get right into it, I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed putting it together…

1. What kind of people do you appreciate the most?

I have the utmost respect for considerate people. These are people who always consider how their actions and words affect those around them or who they are addressing. Not so many people have this quality so whenever I meet someone who has pure intentions and can think things through, I make sure I keep them around.

2. What is the one thing you would change about yourself?

I know a lot of people say that they love themselves just the way they are, well I do too but wow my voice guys, I wouldn’t mind getting a new one honestly. Worst of all, I hear my voice 24/7 (even now as I am typing this – I can hear it in my head).

3. What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

Haha. Well, we promised not to ever tell anyone about it so I won’t go deep in detail – I had to beg a cop to not arrest my friends and I right after we were ordered to get inside the van. Scariest and craziest thing I have ever done but my persuasive skills came in handy that night. Jeez, we weren’t even partying or doing drugs you know haha but it’s more or less equivalent to that.

4. What makes you roll your eyes every time you hear it?

The kind of advice people are given at their wedding ceremony by their family and friends, and hearing someone talk about traditional gender roles. If you have never seen me roll my eyes, all you have to say is, “As a woman/man, you are supposed to…”

5. What weird food combinations do you enjoy the most?

Rice mixed with salt – just that. It’s not really a combination but I mean, when you have struggled for so long you don’t even complain when there’s no food, you make ends meet by mixing what’s there.

6. How different was your life a year ago?

A year ago, my life was controlled by a lot and revolved around a lot of things – money, partner, people’s happiness and all. I have realised that alone-time is the only thing that helps me function properly now. A year ago, my main focus was making sure that everyone around me is happy and helping everyone solve their problems. I have realised that now I have stopped doing that, probably because it drained me since I seemed to be ripping myself apart to keep those around me in one piece.

7. What’s something that never fails to make you happy?

Seriously? Someone randomly acknowledging my work and being encouraged to go on, that never fails to get me emotional. Oh, and being taken on surprise trips really makes me happy.

8. What is the biggest realization you have made about yourself?

I recently realised that I legit don’t and can’t compare myself to anyone nor do I ever wish for someone else’s life.

9. How do you think you are described to other people by those that know you?

Haha. That’s a tough one. Some people would say I hardly ever speak and some would say I never stop talking. It really just depends on who is describing me. Nonetheless, in most cases I am pretty sure people say I am crazy because of the weird and unexpected things I do and say.

10. What are you insecure about?

My appearance. I know I am not hideous but I am not the type of pretty that turns heads either. I think the main reason why I think and feel this way is because no matter how hard I try (and I try so hard!) I just never get clear skin. Not even for an hour at least because wow I would really appreciate that and take more natural unfiltered selfies.

11. What makes a good life?

It’s pretty simple – being surrounded by people who make you laugh and doing what you love.

12. What hobby would you get into if time and money wasn’t an issue?

I would surely be attending shooting lessons. I feel like learning how to shoot all kinds of guns is just so exhilarating. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a gun though, even shooting an arrow would be fun – as long as I am learning to aim and I have a target.

13. What are some of the things that make your day better?

Someone checking up on me. Merely texting me, “Hey, how are you holding up/are you good?” really brightens up my day. I think a lot and sometimes my thoughts lead me to depression – it’s easy getting in, it’s almost impossible to get out but when someone randomly asks me if I am okay, I literally start feeling okay. I find that whenever I am not okay, I tend to ask people I haven’t spoken to in a while if they are okay.

14. What question(s) do you ask someone to get to know them?

I always ask them what kind of music they listen to. For some odd reason I feel like the music we listen to can tell a lot about us – even our favourite artist. After they tell me the kind of music they listen to, I ask them what their current favourite song is and let them tell me why.

15. What is the best compliment you have ever received?

Haha. This one guy on Twitter sent me a DM of a flower emoji then went on to say, “I’m not so sure if this flower is beautiful enough to match your beauty,”. I found that really clever and I was flattered because my name means ‘beautiful flower’.

16. What inspires you to keep going and not give up?

It’s not easy to give up on something that you absolutely love. I feel no pressure because there is no traffic in this lane I am on, so I get to just cruise and stop for snacks knowing that no one is about to catch up on me and I am not trying to pass anyone either – my lane is clear.

17. What’s the most immature thing do you do?

Probably laughing at people who trip over uneven roads, steps and all. Haha. Whether I know you or not, if you trip I am going to laugh! I won’t chuckle, I will laugh! Also, I say “Phahla bhom” a lot! Which means, “Made you look” but like in the most unnecessarily dramatic way ever.

18. What nicknames do you have for the people in your life?

I call all my people clowns, popeyes, idiots and all existing and non-existent swear words.

19. What’s something you have never told anyone until now?

I once got so high I misplaced my phone just after I got home and got my whole family helping me look for it. We couldn’t find it so we gave up. About 30 minutes later, when the munchies kicked in, I actually found my phone in the fridge. Then I remembered that the first thing I did when I got home was drink water from the fridge – yeah, that’s probably how I will be as a parent too.

20. What quote do you live up to?

“At the end of the day, you can either focus in what’s tearing you apart or what’s holding you together”

21. What is your ideal birthday like?

Okay, well I have never celebrated my birthday. I have never planned anything for my birthday, even today – I turned 21 on a Friday even so that’s pretty huge but I still didn’t plan a thing. I don’t know hey, this is a really hard question for me but I think I would love to alone in my own apartment and have my friends and family coming to see me 1-by-1 to drop of a bouquet of flowers or succulents in a pot for me.

photo credits: Nolwazi Khuzwayo