I themed 2025 as a year of discovering more about myself (introspection) and walking in my gift/purpose daily, and I think this blog post perfectly describes my 2025 journey so far. Here’s why:
On Tuesday, 1st July 2025, I ended my NYSC camp experience and began a new journey called NYSC PPA. I discussed more about NYSC PPA in my first NYSC blog post. Here’s the blog link:
When I got my PPA letter at the camp, I was so happy that I was posted to Obio Akpor. Obio Akpor is a local government area in Rivers State and this is where Port Harcourt city is located. Before I began the NYSC camp journey, I had been applying to work at a media firm here at Port Harcourt so that it could also serve as my PPA but I got multiple rejection emails, calls and messages. Sharing this part of my life now still makes me nervous. It was a period of trying and failing. While I was at NYSC camp, I kept trying, but it still didn’t work out, so I tried applying to teach at a government school and it worked. I always knew that if I was to choose a school to work at for NYSC PPA, it would be a government school because time is very valuable to me in this one-year program and I want to make the most out of the NYSC year.
After NYSC camp, it is very important to make findings about your PPA and be sure that it’s fine with you before you carry out your documentation because monthly biometrics start immediately. So, I called my classmate from secondary school to ask if I could stay at her place to get to know my PPA (Primary Place of Assignment) and then find a place to live for the rest of the NYSC year. She accepted, as well as her family.
When I finally got to the school to make findings about how the system works, I was in tears on a phone call with my family for hours, ranting and ranting and ranting. Welcome to the rantology of NYSC PPA! (e reach to rant abeg 😭). Honestly, I couldn’t believe that this is how government schools work. This has been one of the most stressful experiences of my life. I’ve felt frustrated, tired, angry, sad, confused and numb; cried myself to sleep, woke up crying and even went to school with swollen eyes. The truth is that I’m still processing this whole journey in real life and for now, I think these tweets can truly express how I feel:
When I started facing the overwhelming challenges in July 2025, I didn’t feel like doing anything. I felt uninterested in my writing, blogging and anything that makes me happy, fulfilled, appreciative and loving of life. This destabilized me for months because I’m very passionate and ambitious towards my goals and life in general. This is actually one of the reasons I reduced and stopped blogging about my NYSC journey between July and October. At some point, I only thought of surviving life because life felt meaningless.
Then, I came across this tweet and my life could relate to it 😭.
When I posted it on our Instagram blog page, I realized that some of our family members could relate to the tweet and post.
While I was facing these challenges, I was reminded of three things:
(1) During one of my consultations I attended before NYSC, the consultant told me to see NYSC more as an experience. This is because when you see the reality of being an adult in Nigeria, it has a way of bringing fear into your life, thereby limiting your dreams and potential.
(2) My brother sent this message to me and it’s so important that I share it here because when you live this NYSC year more like an experience, it gets less overwhelmingly frustrating and more relieving.
(3) My friend asked me why I started the NYSC Camp Blog Series. When I sent the drive and idea behind the series to her, she told me that people actually need the encouragement. This was a great reminder because this is why I write and blog – to serve as an encouragement to myself and others. This made me so happy and unstoppable ☺️💯
Navigating this journey alone has been very difficult.
My life right now is a miracle because it’s been very hard living through each day without having a mental breakdown and falling sick.
It was really difficult expressing my emotions this period. It was when I got sick that I could open up. So, yes, this is so true.
If you ever want to know how my NYSC PPA journey has been, I’ll say it’s been an experience! This is why I themed my NYSC year as Janet’s NYSC Experience 2025; what a life-changing experience!!
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” ~Genesis 1:1-3 KJV
Darkness in this scripture (Genesis 1:1-3 KJV) refers to the challenges of life and light refers to the solutions. As I continue to grow in life, I’ve discovered that life is a teacher; it brings challenges our way so that we can learn and live life better. This is why I have turned every challenge of the past four months into solutions so that we can live a better, happier and more fulfilling life.
Since I work during the weekdays, I discovered that I could use the weekends as a reliever by spending quality time with my loved ones and this is how I began a series called “Weekends with Janet” in real life. So far, this is how my weekends have been and I think you should try it out:
My mum visited me for the weekend 🥹🥹🥹🥹🫶🏾 My darlings, my heart was so full 😭❤️.
Since I began this NYSC PPA, it’s been very stressful and mentally draining. My mum decided to visit me because I’ve been crying like a baby 😭🥹❤️. When my mum asked if she should visit me at first, I said I could handle the challenges by myself. My darlings, honestly, I couldn’t 🥹😭. The next time, my mum told me that she’ll be coming and this time, she set the date 🥹 and time 🥹🫶🏾. The joy and happiness in my heart!!! I had the most refreshing, lovely and exciting experience. The best weekend ever!!! We went on a tour and date; these are some of my favourite activities in the world 🫶🏾. This means a lot to me 🥹❤️. Thank you God ❤️
You can really tell that I was so happy and excited 🥰🥰🥰.
My mum just reminds me so much of myself because I love enjoying life 😂. My mum was just teasing me about how I used to feel nervous and cry whenever it was time for school resumption during my university days 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. Every phase of my life is just different because I loved going to school when I was in primary and secondary school. God really knew the type of mum I’ll need because her energy is a Ctrl+V of mine 🤣
The first time I snapped a picture of myself since I began this NYSC PPA journey 🥹, very unbelievable but true. I looked so good 😍😍😍😍😍. I’m so happy to feel more alive 🥰
The glow-up, shine and beauty throughout the overwhelming NYSC challenges 🥹❤️. What a life! This is a proof of the beauty of God because it can only be God!
I visited my friend who I met at NYSC camp as my roommate. I had such a refreshing time with my girl. At the end of the weekend, I explored Port Harcourt. It was a stressful exploring day 😂, but worth it. I think I should explore this city more. What do you think? 🥰
Then, I traveled home to visit my family. My darlings, when I got to my room at home, I stared deep into the air, sighed and sat on my bed. I was just speechless because I can’t believe this is my life! That’s how I slept until night 😩😭
I look forward to more weekends with Janet, and I’m so excited!! 🥰💃💃💃
Whenever I meet a corps member, it feels like we have similar NYSC experience but our lives seem far apart. This is why I have said YES to God and decided to start a community for NYSC corps members. The community is called “My Artoftruezeal NYSC Family”.
Our vision is to positively impact the lives of NYSC corps members.
Our purpose is to build with God and NYSC corps members.
Our mission is to guide corps members on their NYSC journey to make it easier, more enjoyable and worthwhile.
As a family of inspiration, lifestyle and health & wellness, we will be sharing daily messages, organizing events (virtual and physical) and other activities as we continue to grow.
Guess what? We will be organizing our first virtual event this year 💃.
Click the link below to join our community on WhatsApp ⬇️:
I’m so excited about this new journey. Honestly, it feels like a burden has been released from my heart 🥹 and now I feel incredibly joyous to begin this beautiful new journey with you 🥰🥳.
This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes 💃💃💃 (Psalm 118:23)
I’m screaming…Thank you Jesus! Thank you God! And thank you, my darling, for being a part of this experience 🥰🥰🥰
What is greatness? Janet’s NYSC Experience 2025! 🥳🥳🥳
Hi, my name is Janet Reuben Okon. I am a writer, inspirational, lifestyle, health and wellness blogger, and human anatomist.
Welcome to Artoftruezeal NYSC Family Experience 2025! Let’s go! 🥳🥳🥳
“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” ~Ecclesiastes 9:11 KJV
“So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” ~Romans 9:16 KJV
Recommendation:
Happy Publication Friday, my Artoftruezeal family 💃💃💃
How has the year been for you?
Have you ever served as a corps member in Nigeria? How was your NYSC PPA experience?
You’re welcome to share 💕
LET’S STAY CONNECTED:
Follow our blog page on Instagram: artoftruezeal
Janet Reuben on social media:
Instagram: janet.r.o
Twitter: janetreubeno
LinkedIn: Janet Reuben
Contact+ Any questions, inquires or collaborations: okonjanetreuben@gmail.com
VIEW NEXT:
A day in my life at NYSC orientation camp
Attend my SAED lecture and exhibition with me
How to make the most out of NYSC year
My last days at NYSC orientation camp
I thank God for your awesome experience, with it’s ups and downs. This indeed, is the truest path to maturity and perfection. Every Saint is a sinner that keeps on trying. May the grace of God be sufficient for you. Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉
Amen, thank you ❤️