I'm Legal AF! Yass baby. 

Just had to put that out there. I can't believe I'm already eighteen, legally responsible for myself and for my actions. 

It feels like just yesterday that my dad took me to the U.K. for my tenth birthday. Wow. How time flies. I can't explain this feeling of being eighteen, and I guess I don't need to. Because I'm guessing you've experienced it already. I'm used to being the youngest writer/creator on most platforms. 

Although I am young and I don't have much life experience, I've been through my own fair share of troubles, especially as a feminist. It's not easy being young AND a feminist.  I'm used to people-both young and old,- looking down on me and my ideas because of my age. 

Let me share a personal anecdote that has shaped my journey as a young feminist. It was a time when my friends, who may have been well-intentioned but unaware of the impact of their words, would laugh at my dedication and tell me that my work wasn't making a real difference. Their dismissive comments stung as if my age somehow invalidated my passion and convictions.

Even more, disheartening were the encounters with older individuals who, instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue, simply dismissed my perspectives as "warped" and claimed that I would gain a better understanding of life as I grew up. It was a painful reminder that some people refuse to challenge their own biases simply because the message is coming from a young person.

These experiences made me realize the uphill battle young activists like myself face. Society often underestimates our capacity to initiate change and tends to sideline our voices. But let me be clear: age does not determine the validity or importance of our ideas. We bring fresh perspectives, unburdened by the limitations of tradition, and we deserve to be heard.

In this article, I'll be talking about eighteen lessons I've learned as a feminist and before you write me off and claim that I'm just a child, give me a chance and I hope I can inspire you to give all young people a chance. Especially young activists like me.

1.  Feminism is not about hating men. It's about equality for all genders. I remember when I used to think of feminism as a bad word. Dark days. I have an episode on Feminist Inc where I talk about it in more detail. 

2. It's okay to be angry. Anger is a valid emotion, and it can be a powerful tool for change. I hate it when people say feminists are always angry. Of course, we're always angry. What reason has the patriarchy given us to be happy? But now I've come to accept it. I really don't care. I embrace my anger and I use it to fight and make me a better person.

3. You don't have to be perfect to be a feminist. We all make mistakes, but that doesn't mean we can't still be feminists. Sometimes, I still have some sexist thoughts and sometimes I feel this extreme jealousy towards other women. But that's okay. I'm not perfect, nobody is. The most important thing is that I'm willing to put in the work.

4. Sisterhood is powerful. Women supporting women is one of the most powerful forces in the world. My mum my grand mother and my best friend have all  been driving forces in makine me who I am today. Don't let anyone decive you that women are gossipers and betrayers. Sisterhood is powerful and every woman needs her tribe.

5. Don't be afraid to speak up. If you see something that's not right, speak up. Your voice matters. I've had a hard time with this one because I live in a culture that thrives in silence. Silent suffering, silent pain. God help anyone who decides to speak up and challenge the status quo. I wouldn't say I'm one hundred percent there yet, sometimes I stay silent in the face of injustice. But I'm actively working on it and that is what matters.

6. The patriarchy is real, but we can fight it. The patriarchy is a system of oppression that benefits men at the expense of women. But we can fight it by working together to create a more just and equitable world. I've learned the hard way that the patriarchy is still very much alive. Seeing young boys get more grace than young girls because ''boys will be boys". It does something to a person. Don't ever let anyone tell you that there is no system that benefits men at the expense of women.

7. Change is possible. It may not happen overnight, but change is possible. And we can all play a role in making it happen. I used to wonder if I was making a difference and if my actions could create change but then I learned from my ancestors like Funmilayo-Ransome Kuti, Margaret Ekpo, and others to never ever give up. If they had given up, I probably wouldn't even know that I am a strong and capable young woman.

8. Do it scared. When I was going to start Feminist Inc, I was just a terrified sixteen year old wanting to make a mark in the world. I thought,"what if i fail?" "what if im not goof enough?" but i did it anywa and im a better person for it.

9. Don't compare your journey with others, especially concerning activism and advocacy. I used to compare myself to other feminist activist and I never measured up. That's the thing with comparison, it steals all joy and gratitude. 

10. Feminism is not a one-size-fits-all. There is no one right way to be a feminist. What works for one person may not work for another. I found that my own personal experiences with sexism led me to become a feminist activist, but other people may find other ways to get involved in the movement.

11.Feminism is a safe space: as a feminist activist, I've found a safe space where I can talk about women's rights without fear of judgment or harassment. This is important to me because I know that not everyone is as accepting of feminism as I am. I'm grateful to have a community of feminists who support me and believe in my work.

12. Feminism can help you to improve your mental health. Before I became a feminist activist, I was very shy and had severe posting anxiety. I was afraid of what people would think of me if I spoke out about sexism. However, when I started to advocate for women's rights, I found that I didn't care what people thought of me anymore. I was fighting for something that I believed in, and that gave me a sense of purpose and confidence.

13. Choose your battles wisely and focus your energy where it will make a difference. Engage in productive conversations and create safe spaces for dialogue. Avoid getting caught up in pointless arguments that drain your energy and distract from your activism. I always try to not engage, especially when I know the person is just trying to provoke me.

14. Age does not determine the validity or importance of your ideas and activism. Don't let others dismiss you based on your age. Use their doubts as motivation to challenge preconceived notions and prove that young activists like yourself can make a significant impact.

15. Pass your boundary. What I mean is if you feel that a particular person is out of your league, then go for it. I once asked Chimamanda to be a guest on my podcast, she refused but I was proud of myself for trying. Don't be afraid of rejection, when it comes to effecting change. Pass your boundary. 

16. Be patient. Change doesn't happen overnight. It takes time and effort to create a more just and equitable world. But if we keep fighting, we can make a difference.

17. Culture is not everything, religion is not everything. A lot of sexism and bigotry has been covered up and defended with culture, tradition and religion. Which is absolute nonsense. If your culture, religion or your tradition is not humane to a particular group of people then it need to change. I've learned to start using my common sense and not just saying it is our tradition.

18. Have fun! Feminism is about empowerment, not oppression. So don't be afraid to enjoy yourself while you're fighting for change. After all, our ancestors fought so that we can enjoy ourselves.

In this article, I have shared 18 lessons that I have learned as a feminist. These lessons have taught me that feminism is about equality for all genders, that it is okay to be angry, that we should not be afraid to speak up, that sisterhood is powerful, and that we should never give up on our dreams.

I have also learned that feminism is a journey, not a destination. There will be ups and downs along the way, but it is important to keep fighting for what we believe in. I am proud to be a feminist, and I am excited to see what the future holds for the movement.

Happy birthday to me!