Steem4nigeria Accelerator Contest Week 111:I will never ever

To me, the phrase “never ever” carries deep weight. It is not just two ordinary words joined together—it’s a strong declaration that something has come to an end completely. When someone says “never ever,” it often means they’ve reached a point of no return, where continuing that thing would only bring pain, regret, or loss. It’s usually not said out of anger but out of experience—after life has taught a tough lesson. For me, when I say “never ever,” it means I have reached 85% to 100% of my breaking point, a point where I realize I must stop before destroying myself further.

One thing I have promised myself never to do again in this life is to engage in any kind of gambling. It sounds simple, but that decision came from a lot of personal pain and regret. I used to believe gambling was an easy way to make quick money, especially with all the adverts, friends, and social media hype around it. At first, it looked fun—predicting games, winning small amounts, and feeling excited. But the truth is, gambling is like a slow trap; once you get inside, it’s hard to escape.

Talking about my experience still hurts because it was one of the darkest times in my life. I started with sporty bets, mostly on football games and virtual games like Aviator. I didn’t have any experience; I was just following others. I believed luck would favor me. The first few times I played, I won small, and that gave me false confidence. Then I started putting in more money, even money I was supposed to use for other things.Soon, I started losing everything.

My savings disappeared, then my small investments, and before I knew it, I was borrowing money from friends, family, and even loan apps. Each time I lost, I told myself, “Just one more game, I’ll win it back,” but it never happened. I kept losing more and more until I was in heavy debt. I couldn’t sleep at night; I was to talk to anyone. My phone was filled with messages from loan companies and people I owed. It reached a point where I questioned my own worth.

One day, I sat down and looked at myself in the mirror and asked, “What have I done to myself?” That moment changed everything. I realized gambling had taken not only my money but also my peace of mind. It affected my relationships, my focus, and even my happiness. From that day, I promised myself—never ever again.

If I ever had the power to go back in time and change one thing in my past, it would definitely be my decision to start gambling. I wish I had listened to those who warned me. I wish I had invested that money in something better, something that would bring me lasting happiness instead of pain. But life has its way of teaching us lessons. Even though I regret it deeply, I’m also thankful for the experience because it opened my eyes. It taught me self-control, discipline, and the value of money.

In conclusion, “never ever” is not just a phrase—it’s a commitment, a final decision that comes after real pain and realization. My story with gambling taught me that quick money can lead to quick destruction. It’s better to work hard, save, and build slowly than to chase luck that never comes. I’ve learned to be content with what I have and to focus on growth, not gambling. Every time I see someone about to go down that road, I warn them with honesty because I know how it feels to lose everything for a few moments of excitement. From now on, whenever I say “never ever,” I mean it with all my heart—because I’ve lived through the reason behind those words.

I invite @bossj23,@teejay005 and @etified01