Navigating your Path

For many young people who have recently graduated from university you may have reached a point in your life where you are trying to figure out what you want to do in life or how you want to achieve your goals. It becomes more apparent that life is not so linear no matter how much you try to structure it. What has been a trend for many Nigerians is sending their children to school abroad for their higher education. For those chose to relocate back to explore the possible opportunities the country has to provide, they are presented with a struggle and difficulty in getting their foot in the water. After being accustomed to the freedom and liberation living in another country provided, it becomes difficult to transition back into the traditional society in Nigeria.

 As someone in my twenties who is recently back home I've struggled a lot with finding my independence emotionally, financially and spiritually. You have to re-learn the system and structure that is set in place in order for you to move forward in the things that you wish to achieve. Life swiftly becomes such an awakening as you learn that what society wants is for you to subscribe to the normalized way of life, that you have to change for you to even be respected. As you've developed as an individual you learn that your values and beliefs have changed overtime and that they may not necessarily correlate with others around now but you have to fight for what you consider to be your core. Everyone young and rich with ambition has goals and dreams they wish to translate to reality but it may seem like society and others around you, the naysayers, are pushing back and projecting their doubts onto you. It becomes very important to have a mind of your own and space of people that you can share your thoughts. Part of your twenties is about self-discovery and getting strongly acquainted with yourself and also acquainted with self-doubt; the feeling of its not possible and that you're running out of time. It is also one of the toughest hurdles to jump through but it is achievable only if you remember to jump. It is achievable if you are able to constantly remind yourself that you're not going through it on your own. The strongest network of support apart from your family should be your friends because you're essentially going through the same phases and experiences at the same time.

Ultimately it's important to work on doing the things that will make you happy because it is very easy to be unhappy and unsatisfied living at home under your parents. Find time for yourself to explore different creative avenues while working, socialize and save as much money as you can to gain financial stability. My hope is that it all get better.