Life Happened…
Growing up, I used to marvel at how older folks talked about being busy and all that came with it. They made it seem like they had no time for extracurricular activities, as life had simply swallowed up their freedom. Meanwhile, the little me, only concerned with reading novels and newspapers, playing video games, and four posts, couldn’t fathom what all the running around was for. I couldn’t wait to get to that point they were at.
Life happened, and I really wish I could unwish it.
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Nothing has been the same ever since. Adulthood has been a series of gbas gbos from the moment I could tell the difference between GEJ and BUBU. Life shifted abruptly. The average young Nigerian adult has truly seen things and is now just holding on, hoping for a breakthrough.
We all craved adulthood, unaware that it came at a cost. We went from being people who were fed to becoming the primary providers of our own basic needs. Suddenly, every action has consequences, and they’re ours to bear. Now, we find ourselves walking the same paths as the older folks we once looked up to.
These realities don’t apply to individuals alone; they spill into friendships too. Events and hangouts slowly die in group chats. You start scheduling calls with friends and family because everyone has one or two things going on. The love remains constant, but access has already been fractured.
Rest becomes a foreign concept. You’re tired from everything, yet you can’t afford to stop. Even when you do, guilt follows closely behind. Productivity replaces the peace you’re searching for. Eventually, you begin to choose silence intentionally because not everything deserves your energy anymore.
Amidst all of these, consistency is still demanded of you. You have to show up even when you’re drained, keep striving to do better, and remain present. You’re expected to stay kind, stay hopeful, and keep playing the game because it’s all we’ve got in this dunya.
