From Sister to Aunty: 9 Unmissable Signs You’re Getting Older

Growing older is a fun thing, but sometimes we don’t realise just how much we’ve grown. Here’s why we have some unmissable signs that show you’ve grown older.

1) People put “Aunty” before your name

Once upon a time, the people younger than you referred to you as “sister”. Now, those same people call you “Aunty”. In fact, the number of people calling you “Aunty” have increased.

2) You know all the family secrets

When your parents randomly start spilling tea about your family to you, that’s a huge sign that you’ve grown older. At least, with age comes the knowledge that the cousins you thought died actually ran away to marry each other.

3) Tiny purses switch to big bags

The older you get, the bigger your bags. Gone are the days you’d be going for a quick lunch and you’d walk around with tiny purses and mini bags. Now, you carry bags that have things ranging from your laptop, to your medication.

4) Most of your hangouts with friends are at children’s birthday parties and owambes

It’s basically impossible to have all your friends together in one place now — except that place is a child’s birthday party. The older you get, the more children’s parties and owambes you’re invited to. You’ll probably even attend more children’s parties as an older “aunty” than when you were a child.

5) Collecting Abayas like infinity stones

It starts with you buying one in a simple colour like black or brown. Before you know it, you’re hoarding enough to be called Josephine with the coats of many colours. They become your goto more for comfort than for style.

6) Your phone rings a lot at the end of the month

Gone are the days when you were a baby girl living off of your family members. Now, it’s their turn to live off of you. The older you get, the stronger the hold black tax has on your neck.

Don’t miss out on hot tea. Subscribe to the best newsletter for Nigerian women.

7) Nigerian Aunty phrases are all that’s in your vocabulary

Once you start telling children, “Do you remember me?” or complaining that their noise is too loud”, then you’re fully manifesting 30+ energy. You’ve basically metamorphosed into a Nigerian Aunty and we’re proud of you.

8) Brunch is your favourite meal of the day

Not only is that when you can take a break from work, but also when you can quickly catch up with your girlfriends that work near you. Plus, you’re kuku too busy for any other meal of the day.

9) They start using you as role model

People start telling their children to be more like you, to learn from you and whatnot. You that you’re still trying to figure out this life thing? It’s just that they don’t know you’re very good at acting like everything is okay. It’s fake life please.

[donation]