I remember back then in secondary school, there was this particular song that we used to sing from our school songbook. It was titled “We Shall Overcome.""” I can never forget it. We often sang it on the assembly ground in the morning or during special activities and events. Back then, I didn’t even realize how deeply that song would stick with me—how the simple words and slow rhythm would become something like a shield for me, especially during hard times.
Secondary school, as tough as it seemed, was nothing compared to life after it. But in those days, school felt like the hardest thing in the world. There was a lot of pressure, expectations, and stress—from academics to boarding house routines, punishments, and trying to keep up with everything. Yet, whenever we stood in our lines and sang “We shall overcome, we shall overcome, we shall overcome someday,” there was this small spark of hope that used to light up in me. It gave me strength. It reminded me that what I was going through was just a phase, and one day, I’d be free from all of it.
That song meant more than just lyrics to me—it was like a message to my soul. And sometimes, even now, I find myself humming it when I feel overwhelmed or tired of everything going on. Life has only gotten more complicated since those school days. I thought graduation would bring freedom, but it brought its own set of battles. Right now, things are tough. Adulting is not a joke. There’s the struggle to survive, to make money, to stay sane, to balance responsibilities, and to not give up completely.
But even with how hard things get, that song still lives in me. It’s not just a memory but a reminder. This is a reminder that pain has an expiry date, that challenges are seasonal, and that I have overcome so many things before, so I can overcome this too.
Every day, I wake up and keep showing up, even when I don’t feel like it. Sometimes, that’s the most courageous thing anyone can do—just keep showing up. Keep pushing, keep believing, and keep trusting that a better day will come. I may not know when, but I do know that it’s coming. I hold on to that belief tightly because it’s the only thing that keeps me going.
So yes, we shall overcome—not just someday, but day by day. With every little progress, every tiny win, every breath we take in the middle of our storms. We’re still here. And that, in itself, is proof that we’re stronger than we think.
I don’t know who else needs to hear this, but if you’re going through something right now, just hold on. Keep moving. Your story isn’t over. You, too, will overcome.
Thanks for reading.