There was a night I couldn't sleep, not because of noise or mosquitoes, but because I looked at my life and asked myself, “Is this it?” I was lying down, staring at the ceiling, and it hit me so hard, if I don't make it, nobody's coming to rescue me. It wasn't one of those motivational moments. No. It felt like a quiet slap from reality. That was the day I decided that no matter what life throws at me, I must make it.
That moment wasn’t born out of watching others succeed or scrolling motivational quotes. It came from a very personal place disappointment. I had just failed at something I thought was a sure win. I won’t go into the details, but the type of failure that makes you question everything. I remember looking at people my age doing great things, and instead of feeling envy, I felt challenged. I didn’t want their lives. I wanted to build my own version of success.
What changed after that? Almost everything
I stopped seeing comfort as something I deserved without effort. I started treating every opportunity, no matter how small, with full seriousness. I realized the difference between surviving and living, and I wanted more than just survival. That moment became a reference point for me, my compass. Whenever I feel tired or lost, I remember that night and the fire it lit in me.
You see, the “I must make it” moment is not a one time emotional reaction; it's a mindset. It teaches you how to say no to unnecessary distractions. It opens your eyes to the weight of time and the value of consistency. I began to discipline myself, not because it was easy, but because I knew the cost of staying stagnant.
Since then, I’ve taken on roles I never thought I could handle. I’ve invested in my skills, failed again, and stood back up. The difference is, I no longer see failure as the end, it’s just part of the process. That shift in mindset has helped me grow, not just financially or socially, but mentally. I’ve started building a version of myself I can be proud of.
Now, I wake up with a certain kind of hunger. Not the hunger for money or fame, but the hunger to see the best version of myself come to life. That one moment changed how I view relationships, opportunities, and even silence. Because sometimes, when it’s just me and my thoughts, I smile, knowing I’ve come far, and I’m not stopping anytime soon.
So yes, that night taught me something, life doesn’t give you what you deserve; it gives you what you fight for. And I’ve been fighting ever since.
Image is Ai generated
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