Our lives revolve around a roller coaster of emotions and time because, as we know, life isn't a bed of roses. Since that is the case, there is a saying that every rose has its thorns, meaning that despite having some good days, the possibility of going through tough times can never be downplayed. I, for one, have gone through tough times in the past, and I can tell you for a fact that it isn't really easy to overcome them, and today I'll want to share one of my tough times experiences and how I scaled through with you.
In the year 2020/2021, I had one of the toughest moments of my life, and that was due to the advent of COVID, the downslope that looked, and the life challenges that came my way during those moments. Back then, I was based in the northern part of Nigeria, Kano State to be precise, and when COVID-19 came into light, it affected everyone's job, as people ended up losing their jobs as the company couldn't afford to have many staff with the way COVID has handled their sales and profits.
Prior to this moment, my dad had retired from active service and was mostly at home, depending on his pension and whatever we the kids could send to keep up, while mom was just a trader, but the advent of COVID and the lockdown crumbled her business because of how goods, which were mostly foodstuffs, became what they ate to survive during the period of the lockdown. To cut a long story short, my elder brother, who would have helped with sharing this responsibility, was an engineer, and with the lockdown and hardship, he was building houses, so he has no means of income.
With all of those on my head, I was working my ass out, trying to do all it takes within my power to help everyone out in my little ways, and during that period I worked my normal day job and overtime just to get extra cash to meet my needs and that of my family, who were at least fortunate that I still have my job to help out. There were families where everyone had been let off, and there was no one to fend for them in these trailing times.
To cut a long story short, not long after these happenings, the organization where I work also decided to let go of some stages, even though we're allowed to keep working despite the lockdown,as our products are related to foodstuffs, yet business wasn't smooth and the company had to have a drastic discussion. Though I wasn't among those that were discharged from their duties, we that are left on the job are also affected because our salary was slashed by about 20%.
All of those with the responsibility of those I ought to fend for hit me so hard, and I was just pushing through and hoping things would change for the best soon, although nothing serious happened. Instead, the worst came to light during those trying moments as my junior brother's illness that hasn't resurfaced in the past 10 years came to light again, and this requires surgery. I was crumbled by all of those and was literally working day and night just to get something to help out, as the situation wasn't palatable.
In the later part of the year, the lockdown was called off, and businesses resumed again. They started gaining and employing more staff to meet the demand for their goods, but in all of this, the new staff employed were given better wages, and we, the old staff who stood by them during those times, saw an increase, although I demanded an increase but got none, until I had to angrily leave and search for another job during those periods.
While all this lingers, the demand from home was still high, as was the illness of my junior brother, but at least this time around, my elder brother is back on the field working, so his demands were off my head, and he was also able to help out with the bills I was shouldering back. That was a relief.
Although it wasn't easy, my resilience, spirit, and determination to help my family, coupled with the love I've got for them, kept me going. It's still a mystery how I was working around 18 hours daily and never once breaking down or falling sick for those 8 to 9 months when all of this happened.
I won't say I didn't do anything special other than have strong will and determination to help out during those periods. The most notable would be working ass out through the year, as I work day and night, including Sundays. In fact, to better explain this, I can say for a fact that throughout the year 2020/2021, I didn't go to church more than five times within those two years put together.
This experience showed me a side of me that I thought wasn't there or would never show up. I can categorically say that this phrase of my life brooded my resilient spirit and zeal to work tirelessly to achieve all that I lay my heart upon regardless of the limitations and stumbling blocks that lay ahead, which ought to serve as a barrier to achieving this.
The moment also taught me about love and the bond between families and how it can go a long way toward being our shield in times of trial. Although I was also struggling at this stage, the love I've got for my loved ones makes me do all I can to help out, especially when I see how terrible the situation is for people around me who have no one to fend for them.
That's about all for now, and I hope you find this worthwhile and learn something from my experience. Have a wonderful day ahead, and stay blessed.
Thumbnail designed on canva