MOVE AT YOUR OWN PACE

“You nor see Saro*(not real name)? He dey do this one, he dey do that one. He don enter Primary 6, you still dey Primary 3 and una be agemates ooo. Na two heads he get?”

And lots more. Let me not just go deeper. 

Those of you who know me growing up would wonder, “How come? But you used to carry good grades home now?” I personally do not even know how to answer that question jare. 

Dad thought this would spur me to be better, work harder etc. It did the opposite. I was already struggling with the names people called me from time to time because of my body size and now this? Maybe I nor know book sef, I told myself repeatedly. Yes, I was bringing in the good grades…….but only because I did not want my parents to tell me why my grades were so low. I did not believe in myself. 

A number of us still struggle with this. You are doing so much but you can’t see it because you keep looking at what others are doing. Now that social media is here where people post both the truth and lies about themselves, it’s even worse. 

Let me tell you again: You are not them. You are you. However fast or slow your progress it, enjoy it, bask in it. What you’re learning and the challenges you’re facing are quite different from those people you’re looking at. Rather than look at them, take time to look at how amazing you’ve been doing for the past few days,  weeks or month. 

Trust me, you are more than enough. Appreciate yourself first, then others will. If they don’t, it’s still not your business. 

Go at whatever pace you want to, just keep making progress. Consciously take breaks from social media from time to time. If you cannot block that person you’re always comparing yourself to on Whatsapp, mute their status. 

Enjoy yourself. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re lazy because you’re having a good time. Work, save and enjoy yourself. That’s what you should do in 2021.

This life is not hard at all. Don’t make it hard for yourself. Okay? 

God’s got you. I love you and I am rooting for you always.

P. S: My birthday is February 2nd ooo. So, you will not tell me you forgot😂