Embracing the new normal
Following the Endsars protest, loss of lives and general craziness we have seen in the country within the past couple of weeks, it's safe to say that life as we used to know it no longer exists.
When you go through anything sad or painful, or in our case, the collective trauma the youths of Nigeria have gone through in the past couple of weeks in addition to living through a pandemic; you feel many overwhelming feelings that can leave you feeling stuck and unmotivated.
You feel like you don't know how to deal with this reality or what to do in the face of whatever tragedy you are facing. You struggle with what to do or how to feel or move on now that the life you used to know no longer exists. This is where a lot of people, including myself, have been stuck in the past couple of weeks.
Here is how we can all collectively get out of this sunken place:
Acknowledge what has happened
Take some time to face this reality. Yes, things used to be different, but this is where you are now individually or as a country dealing with the aftermath of the Endsars protest and the chaos that followed. Accepting the pain, trauma, change is the first place to start.
Recharge
2020 has been a year. From Covid, job loss/ issues that come as a result of a pandemic, our traumatic moments to the end sars protest, destruction and the loss of lives that followed, this whole year has been something else. It's safe to assume that it's taken a toll on our mental health, bodies, creativity, e.t.c.
With all that has happened, it's okay to take some time to recharge. Take some time away from work if you can. Go on a social media break (highly recommend it), hang out with friends/family, spend some time in God's presence (that's always a good idea), go on a retreat, basically do whatever you can to start feeling like yourself again.
Stop looking back and start looking forward instead
There can be a temptation to dwell on the past, but that isn't always a good idea. You don't want that for yourself since the past usually holds a lot of pain that can keep you feeling depressed and trapped there if you are not careful.
However, it's important to add that there some cases when looking back isn't completely a bad idea like in the case of our Endsars protest and the change it is creating. In this case, if you do look back, let it fuel you not destabilise you. Use the loss of lives, and the incompetence of the government to fuel you to get your PVC and be involved in making a better Nigeria.
Hold on to your why (or reevaluate)
Now more than ever, you need a why; a reason to get up and do whatever you need to do even when you don't feel like it.
This will motivate you, force you to be disciplined even when you would rather be doing any else.
Note that's it's okay to change that why or your goals if they don't work in this new reality. Find a why that serves the new you in this new normal.
Start taking small, gradual steps
This isn't the time to go all out, chasing and demanding perfection from yourself. Trust me, this will only have you feeling overwhelmed and eventually have you feeling a failure, and we don't want that. I don't want that for you. Fuelled by your why, choose progression instead by taking small, deliberate steps every day towards your goals.
Be intentional
Now isn't the time to go with the flow, that won't work for long. This is the time to be intentional about everything. Be intentional about the work you put out, the steps you are taking every day to be productive.
Be intentional about being joyful, grateful, getting rid of your fears/insecurities, holding on to or finding a great support system. Be intentional about living your very best life. In this new reality, you can't keep letting life happen to you. You have to be intentional about the life you want to create for yourself.
Life as you (we) knew it no longer exists, what we have is the new normal, our new reality so let's shake off the funk, get our grove back and embrace it together. I'm rooting for you.❤
Apologies for the silence in the past couple of weeks. It felt ill-timed and considerate to keep putting out content when people were losing their lives in the fight for a better Nigeria. Shoutout to everyone who protested online and in the streets. Let's keep doing our part to demand change and build a better country.
P.S: In the name of embracing our new normal, this newsletter (The Breakdown with Inem) will no longer come out on Thursdays and Sundays. Starting today, you can now expect them every Tuesday and Saturdays.
As always, I would love to hear what you think and what you would like me to address in subsequent letters. Please reply with your suggestions with #TheBreakdownwithInem online or replying to this email.
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You can expect 2 letters from me weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays.