How Rukayat Ogunlana Took A Chance On Herself.
The story behind her debut book, Young, Clueless & Trying.
Hello Rukayat, I am Idayat from Hidden Gele and I am happy to speak to you about your debut book, Young, Clueless and Trying. As someone who has always believed in you and your story, it makes me very happy to know that you wrote a book! It is not just any book but an ardent documentation of your growth as a woman who is Nigerian. Again, I am very happy to speak with you.
“Hi Idayat. It's a pleasure to speak with you about my book.”
I want to ask, what moment did you realize you had to turn your experiences as a growing young adult into a book?
For a long time, I have known that sharing myself and other people's life experiences is the work I'm going to have to do as one of my life's work. I just knew. I had a feeling within me. So, as an undergraduate at University getting familiar with the strange thing called growth, and having to adjust, learn, and make my way regardless, I just knew that this was another moment I was going to have to share with other people. To tell my story as a clueless young girl finding her way through life, but also to tell the stories of other young adults like me who needed to feel seen and heard. This realization came in 2021. I had a lightbulb moment, opened a Microsoft Word document, and started writing an outline...
Why do you refer to growth as a strange thing?
Because it is. Because it's something that nobody can adequately prepare you for. Growing up is an endless journey of learning and sometimes, what comes along with that is not so pleasant. It's something scary in fact, sometimes. So yeah, it's strange. It creeps up on you and changes you in ways you never knew you could be changed.
As a growing woman myself, I can relate. What has been the scariest part for you?
Hmm. Having to confront my fears and doubts, even with the possibility of failure.
How did you define this in your book?
I narrated how right from teenagehood, I struggled with my self-esteem, believing in myself, and believing that I was good enough. I shared how that haunted me throughout, from the start till the end of my university days. I talked about how it paused me but never stopped me. About how I had to, myself, seek out self-love, and self-belief, and navigate my way through.
And in this journey, what are the things you are happy you became?
I have received awards, certifications, recognitions, and commendations as a writer majorly and those are incredibly heartwarming, but my biggest joy stems from being able to even pick myself up from the dark abyss of having to question my worth as a young smallish girl to learning confidence, and love, and belief and helping other people see reasons why it might just be worth it if they took a chance on themselves because here is this "little girl" taking a chance on herself even when she's been fed constantly with talks about how she's just not enough because she's not as physically tall as her peers. I'm glad I am able to make my baby self and teenage self proud of the Rukayat I am today, and the Rukayat I'm going to become tomorrow.
I'm so happy you were able to become this person. Growth is truly scary and oftentimes, people don't give in to its fear. I believe it is in fear that we are opened up to miracles and greatness.
Thank you. Absolutely! It's a continuous journey but we're making progress.
And see now, you are a writer with a book out! You are finding your path and it's so admirable.
Okurrrr!
What was the process of writing the book like?
Aha, here we go. It was initially fueled by passion and a strong desire to put the story out. So I was consistently writing it but gradually, fear, and doubt (my good ol' friends) reared their heads. I started to question if there was any point in writing it. I was asking myself, “Who do you think you are? Why exactly do you think you have some important, interesting story to tell?” So I'd occasionally open the Word document, close it, and not return to it for months. I was battling with a busy schedule but also with a lot of doubts about going ahead with it. I eventually sat with myself and told myself I was going to have to complete the book to prove to myself that I wasn't going to give in to the doubts. A conversation with my oldest brother also strengthened my resolve. He asked me: “What's the worst that could happen? And really, what exactly was I so scared of?” I sat with it and was like anything that wants to happen should happen, I'm going to complete this book and publish it. I think another reason why I was hesitant was because I shared a lot of personal stuff in the book, and I wasn't sure I wanted it out in public. Then again, there was a reason I decided to write this book in the first place. So, again, I sat with it and said “Rukayat, you will finish writing this book”. I did. I cried when I wrote the last word of the book. I started writing in June 2021 and finished writing in April 2024. Not because it's a lengthy book but because I was debating in my head the whole time.
Oh my goodness, this is so wonderful. I can't imagine how happy you must have been when you dropped the pen. Your experience also proves that doubts and fears have nothing besides one's resolve. And that imposter question, “Who do you think you are?” The only answer to it is resolve, just like you showed.
YES. I was truly happy. Yes, yes! You'll battle with a lot of things internally and externally but it must never let you lose that belief in yourself to be able to get things done regardless.
What do you hope Young, Clueless and Trying achieves?
I hope that first of all, it's able to give a hug to whoever reads it. I want it to offer a sort of comfort. I want people to read it and feel seen, feel touched, feel inspired. I also want people to read it and learn that the work of self is continuous and is paramount. I hope that they learn to navigate their way around growth and life and fight back when it seems like they are about to lose themselves. I want people to read this book, and feel, yeah, I think I'm worth giving a chance. I want people to know it's possible to rise! I also hope Young, Clueless and Trying achieves all the recognition possible because it's such an important book.
It is possible to rise.
Yes.
And a big amen to all of this.
Amennn.
Where can an interested person find Young, Clueless and Trying?
https://selar.co/738324 . Here, it's on Selar. All they have to do is go through the link. They can also contact me on social media @simply_rukky on Instagram and X.
One question, who are you happy to have become through the process of writing your book?
I'm happy to have become a woman that says she's gonna do stuff and goes ahead to do it; in spite of, regardless. I'm also happy to have become a woman who realizes the importance of progress stories and helps others understand their importance as well. In a world where everybody waits to get to the finish line before acknowledging strides as success, I'm glad I was able to weave something out of myself; a work in progress. Not a grand success story, but an important progress story nonetheless.
And I heavily stann. I'm super proud of you too and I can't wait to see all you will become. Thank you for granting me audience too.
It is my pleasure.
Also, it's been one month since the release of Young, Clueless & Trying, and Rukayat Ogunlana is currently running a discount in celebration. You can get her book “Young, Clueless & Trying” at 20% off for only 24 hours from now. So instead of buying a copy at 3000 naira, you can get it at a discounted price of 2400 naira only if you get it now: https://selar.co/738324 . Take advantage of the discount while it lasts. Thank you.
Thank you for this.
I’m inspired
Indeed growth isn’t something you prepare for but you just have to embrace it when it comes