Happy weekend buddies. It's my first time writing in the @hive-naija contest. Feels good to participate
I vividly remember the first time I felt the weight of independence . I had just moved to a new city very far from home , a city where I had no relations nor friends. I had recently been enrolled in a university in a city which was thousands of kilometers from home .
It was a mixed feeling at first cause for some reasons I was happy I moved out from home, I knew it was a great step toward my adulthood. It also occurred to me that from that moment henceforth , I knew I was in charge of whatever decision I took concerning my life. On the bright side, on the other hand, I missed my family so much and I was scared to ever make the wrong decision in their absence.
Leaving the comfort of my family and home, I had just clocked 17 when I found myself on campus wondering about a very big campus filled with so many people from different parts of the country and beyond, at that very moment I had become a young adult. I navigated . thinking about the changes I was experiencing living in a school dorm with people I barely knew,and the fear of handling academic challenges without the help of family close by.
It was quite difficult to make decisions from the selection of classes to managing every single penny I had , never did ever imagine it'll be so difficult to be on my own.
It all felt like a dream until one cold evening when I found myself sitting in my dorm alone, the echoes of voices in the hallway and surrounded by strangers boxes and belongings. It was at that moment I realized I was truly on my own ,I broke down immediately and cried in silence cause honestly I was scared that I might not be able to reach my family's expectations. Later on I cheered up cause I realized that in my dorm some of the girls were younger than I was and others left their families back in other countries ,after realizing all that I cheered up and embraced whatever awaits me with curiosity and determination.
Gradually, days turned to weeks, weeks turned into months,I got used to the system and learned how to be more independent and confident. I made a routine which helped in handling my daily life. At some point I handled every task better than I ever imagined and it boosted my pride and confidence.
Being independent aided my growth in every aspect of my existence educationally, emotionally, mentally, psychologically and also religiously , I learned to handle my vulnerabilities and how to create bonds with people outside home .
Later on I got to understand that my first time being far from home wasn't just about being distanced from home ,it was the beginning of adulthood, self discovery and general growth, it was a transformation journey .
It all started with self doubts and fears , I could never imagine leaving home will build me up in such a manner cause I'm so proud of where I am currently .
Thank you for reading
