In August, I travelled to Togo, and then to Benin Republic. While I was in Lome, it became clear to me that I couldn't survive for long in Lagos. Lagos with its estimated 15.9million people walking around with sweaty bodies and brown shoes. Yaba with young souls and energetic spirits buying shawarma at 10pm and driving one way on two lanes. Ikeja with bipolar disorder: Ikeja Inside with peace and serenity, and constant power supply and that feeling of
Well done Ini, thank you for sharing this! Sometimes we sit with the anxieties and the “overwhelmingness” of life, sometimes we get up and do something about it, the later, whenever possible, takes us to new vistas of possibilities 🌻
I loved this so much not only because of how well-written it is but because of how much I could relate to it. For the longest time, I've been so exhausted and drained by this city and this validates that I'm not crazy for feeling that way when almost everybody else loves Lagos so much. So thank you for that.
And thank you for sharing that quote. It reads so simple but it's also very powerful. I’m sure that I’ll be referring to it very often.
My highlight from this newsletter: it's okay to complain. Very okay. And at some point, you are going to have to take action in solving what you can solve. But this doesn't mean you should stop complaining. You can do both.
Do you know that feeling you have when you read a piece that seems like a mirror of your life? This was exactly how I felt when I read this. From how I feel about Lagos to how I'm unable to do 99 percent of what used to make me happy and then the part about anxiety — poof! — I saw me in your experience.
I love the part where you urge your readers not to stop complaining about their problems but to also take actions on how to reduce some, if not all, of the problems. Thank you for the nudge.
The fear of going back to the things I stopped doing two years ago when the pressures of life overwhelmed me can be really daunting. But then, I must do what I have to do if I really want to be happy.
I resonate w the anxiety part. it's like you explained what I go through so vividly.
and for the Lagos ish, this is why I can't yet move there. I knew what I went through when I first visited that city. I had to sit down somewhere and cry before moving again. To be able to live in Lagos, I need to be stronger and brace myself for its chaos. But now, I'd enjoy my peace.
such a beautiful read. thank you so much. you know that PG's quote about 'stop running fast'? that's exactly what I needed to do when the year started. For me, its still very chaotic but I'm sure I've 'stopped running.' I still dont know how to move on or change my life but I guess I'd figure that out slowly. Thank you, you've made me cry today and it was worth it.❤
If "the letter you didn't know you needed to see" could materialize. I'm honestly speechless. Reading this was like stepping into a room of my own issues. I have known, I have complained about this never ending phase that I entered since God knows when. I have complained about not being able to find joy in the things that usually give me joy, about working and randomly stopping to stare because there's a voice telling me I'm missing out on something else. But reading this made me realize that I can do more than complain. I can let myself just be again, I can go back and try no matter how hard it seems and how it feels like I won't remember how to, try to write fiction again, I can do it. And I can slow down too. This pressure I've put myself on is not for me. Thank you.
Well done Ini, thank you for sharing this! Sometimes we sit with the anxieties and the “overwhelmingness” of life, sometimes we get up and do something about it, the later, whenever possible, takes us to new vistas of possibilities 🌻
I loved this so much not only because of how well-written it is but because of how much I could relate to it. For the longest time, I've been so exhausted and drained by this city and this validates that I'm not crazy for feeling that way when almost everybody else loves Lagos so much. So thank you for that.
And thank you for sharing that quote. It reads so simple but it's also very powerful. I’m sure that I’ll be referring to it very often.
This piece brought tears to my eyes because I can relate so much. I don’t even know what to type.
But this was beautiful written. And I will read, rinse and repeat this in the coming days.
This was a beautiful read. I didn't realize when I got to the end. And that quote makes so much sense, I sure needed it. Thank you for sharing.
My highlight from this newsletter: it's okay to complain. Very okay. And at some point, you are going to have to take action in solving what you can solve. But this doesn't mean you should stop complaining. You can do both.
Thank you, Oriade.
Do you know that feeling you have when you read a piece that seems like a mirror of your life? This was exactly how I felt when I read this. From how I feel about Lagos to how I'm unable to do 99 percent of what used to make me happy and then the part about anxiety — poof! — I saw me in your experience.
I love the part where you urge your readers not to stop complaining about their problems but to also take actions on how to reduce some, if not all, of the problems. Thank you for the nudge.
The fear of going back to the things I stopped doing two years ago when the pressures of life overwhelmed me can be really daunting. But then, I must do what I have to do if I really want to be happy.
Once again, thank you.
I resonate w the anxiety part. it's like you explained what I go through so vividly.
and for the Lagos ish, this is why I can't yet move there. I knew what I went through when I first visited that city. I had to sit down somewhere and cry before moving again. To be able to live in Lagos, I need to be stronger and brace myself for its chaos. But now, I'd enjoy my peace.
well done, Micheal. i'm glad I read this. ❤️
Omd I really enjoy reading what you write
Wowww
I've been exhausted throughout the year, maybe I've been running fast after all.
Thank you so much for sharing this. There's a lot I'll love to say, but I'll love to sit with these words and process them. Thank you, again.
such a beautiful read. thank you so much. you know that PG's quote about 'stop running fast'? that's exactly what I needed to do when the year started. For me, its still very chaotic but I'm sure I've 'stopped running.' I still dont know how to move on or change my life but I guess I'd figure that out slowly. Thank you, you've made me cry today and it was worth it.❤
Truly life can be overwhelming at different stages as we grow older. I believe it's okay to cry and let things off your chest or even talk to someone.
This is such a wonderful write up.
Well done
This is really beautiful, Michael. Thanks for sharing a piece of yourself with us
If "the letter you didn't know you needed to see" could materialize. I'm honestly speechless. Reading this was like stepping into a room of my own issues. I have known, I have complained about this never ending phase that I entered since God knows when. I have complained about not being able to find joy in the things that usually give me joy, about working and randomly stopping to stare because there's a voice telling me I'm missing out on something else. But reading this made me realize that I can do more than complain. I can let myself just be again, I can go back and try no matter how hard it seems and how it feels like I won't remember how to, try to write fiction again, I can do it. And I can slow down too. This pressure I've put myself on is not for me. Thank you.
I have a lot to say yet I can't even write a line because this is too beautiful to acknowledge with just a few lines.
Thank you Ini for sharing your struggles and that beautiful quote that got you going.
I'm glad to have my top bookish person back🤭❤️