Hello and Welcome to my Substack 👋🏾,
My name is Otega; my family calls me Tega, and I go by UnfilteredOtega on the Internet because it’s filled with filtered versions of ourselves. It’s a reminder to myself to show up as me.
It’s taken me a few years to cultivate my sense of self, and I’m glad I’ve found him.
So, a little bit about me – I was born in Nigeria to two amazing parents hailing from Delta state and Edo State. I spent my early years living a somewhat sheltered life in Lagos before moving to London at the age of 9. I have vivid memories of the red double-decker bus pulling into Hammersmith Broadway and the bitter cold of Winter. I would go on to spend the next few years acclimatising as best as I could (not to the weather because I really don’t think I’m built for the cold 😫).
My educational journey in the UK started in Year 6 at a local West London School before going to a boys' school in Fulham and then moving to a mixed school in the Royal Borough of Hillingdon (It’s not actually Royal but it may as well be – IMO 🤣). I went through the standard teenage/coming-of-age struggles that we all go through as we age. Am I making an assumption? Are teenage years ever cheerful, or do we all have to fight one form of a battle or another?
My battles were with self-confidence, identity, life purpose, social and personal acceptance, imposter syndrome, just to name a few.
I’m not saying I’ve got it all figured out, but I’m in a great place in life. Sometimes I get off life’s fast-moving choo-choo train and reflect on how impressed Younger Otega would be by the life I currently lead.
So, what should you expect from my Substack?
Firstly, you are in for a treat because it’s going to be sweeter than the best sticky toffee pudding you’ve ever had.
I find myself at an interesting junction in life – one where I am ‘building’ a career while also striving to develop and flex my creative muscles.
Someone once said to me, "deep down we’re all creative," and I have come to really believe this. Thanks to my ADHD brain, my creativity knows no bounds.
I’m interested in a lot of what life has to offer but am drawn to photography, design, art, all forms of communication (spoken/visual), philosophy, business, AI, history, architecture, music, culture, fashion, food, health and well-being. So yeah, basically everything and anything.
I constantly seek out accountability partners, and I have secretly just recruited you as one. It’s an unpaid role, but I promise to make it worth your time. Whether it's me reminiscing about my days as a secondary school teacher or talking about my new career in technology or the stoic principles I am learning to help me navigate life's journey – there will be lots to think about.
I’ve journaled most nights for the last 2 years, which has strengthened my ability to articulate my thoughts and ideas.
How often will I be sharing pieces?
To start with, I’m going to hold myself to a piece every 2 weeks as a minimum. I hope it will be more, but I hope setting an achievable goal will give me the dopamine to persevere.
Thank you for getting this far. There’s only one thing left to do – join me on the choo-choo train and hit that subscribe button 🔽.