Steem4nigeria Accelerator Contest Week 140: Broken, Not Dead

There is a difference between being broken and being defeated. I used to think they were the thing. When life got tough I thought I was failing or doing something.. As I grew older I realized that some tough times are meant to test and shape us not destroy us.

Now I'm in my final semester studying Criminology and Security Studies. Some people might think I should be excited because graduation is near.. Honestly this period has been one of the toughest times in my life.

As the son and first child in a family of six I feel a lot of responsibility on my shoulders. We're not a family so I know where I come from. I feel like I need to succeed, support others and build a future that makes the sacrifices for my education worthwhile.

Reality doesn't always match expectations. There have been times when I felt left behind. Some of my classmates have resources that make life easier. I've been trying to build my graphics design skills on my phone, which has than 32gb storage and lags a lot.. I didn't stop because I'm not dead yet. Some people already seem to have plans for their future. Meanwhile I've spent days wondering how I'll navigate life after graduation how I'll keep developing my skills and how I'll create opportunities for myself in a competitive world.

One thing thats challenged me the most is trying to grow as a graphics designer with resources. There are days when I have ideas but don't have the tools I need. There are days when financial concerns compete with responsibilities. There are days when the future seems uncertain.

Those moments can make a person feel broken.. Something important happened during this time. I realized that despite all the pressure I was still moving forward. I was still attending lectures, learning, practicing my design skills and searching for opportunities. I was still refusing to give up.

That realization changed my perspective completely. Being broken doesn't mean you've reached the end. Sometimes it just means life has put you under pressure. Like pressure can crack a stone it can also shape your character.

A small victory that meant a lot to me recently was securing design work and sharing my journey online. To some people it might seem insignificant. To me it was proof that my efforts were producing results. It reminded me that progress isn't always loud. Sometimes it arrives in steps that only become meaningful when you look back.

This season has also changed what I value most. I no longer measure success by what I've achieved. I pay attention to persistence, discipline and growth. I've learned that surviving times is an achievement, in itself.

People often say, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.". What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger if you learn from it show up every day and keep grinding. Difficult experiences can make people bitter discouraged or hopeless if they let them. What makes us stronger is choosing to learn from those experiences than surrendering to them.

For me strength hasn't come from avoiding my challenges or giving up on my failures. It has come from waking up each day and continuing despite them.

Today I might not have everything figured out. I might not know what the future holds. I might still face obstacles that seem overwhelming. But I know this much: I am still here. I am still trying. I am still growing.. That means I am broken, perhaps but certainly not dead.

Thank you for reading.