There's a new contest this week, and it's all about comparing the life we're living now to the plans we had for ourselves in the past.
About Me
When I was younger, I always dreamed of having a job that I could do comfortably, on my own terms. I realized how important this was when I noticed the growing number of university graduates in my country compared to the limited job opportunities available.
Just imagine if there are only 12,000 jobs available and the people currently holding those jobs aren’t ready to leave anytime soon, what happens to the new graduates?
Out of those 12,000 jobs, maybe only 3,000 will be filled by new job seekers. What about the remaining 9,000 graduates? Where will they find work?
These thoughts were always on my mind while I was at university, and that’s when I started planning to become independent and self-employed.
I always intended to become a freelancer or a virtual assistant, working comfortably from home while getting paid for what I love doing.
Now vs. Then
Back then, after completing my NYSC, I started job hunting. At the time, I was pregnant, and my needs became urgent, like the Bible says, "like an armed man." I had to act fast , either find a solution or get overwhelmed. That’s when my dream of freelancing started to fade.
You may ask, "What happened?"
Well, with the responsibility of raising kids, even though my husband supports me, I saw the need for a stable, salaried job. I wanted to contribute more to the household and ensure financial security, especially considering the economic situation in my country, where having a steady income is crucial.
In the health sector, for example, you have to be physically present at work to take care of patients and manage their records. This got me thinking ,how can I balance my responsibilities at home and still pursue my career goals?
My plan was to get a computer (which I now have) and learn a tech skill. I had two things in mind: becoming a virtual assistant, helping companies find clients, and learning graphic design.
Then I realized, why wait? I can combine both! It’s possible to learn graphic design and become a virtual assistant at the same time. So, that’s exactly what I’m doing!
If you ask me what kind of life I wanted, I always imagined a life where I wouldn’t need to go to a regular 9-to-5 job. But, given the current situation, I need a salaried job.
I love my kids so much; they bring me so much joy every morning. But I feel the need to have a regular paycheck so I can take care of their needs instead of depending entirely on my husband.
In the evenings, I’ve been dedicating time to learning digital skills, like the ones I mentioned earlier. My hope is that one day, I’ll be able to add these skills to my salaried job and grow from there.
Thanks for reading about me! Wishing everyone a wonderful week ahead.
