SLC-S31/W2-“Creative Interpretation| The Phrase (Almost There)”

"Hustle o, mek teacher no use your child play Satan for end-of-the-year party drama."

As an average young person living in Nigeria, I have heard this in different versions, countless times. It is drummed into your ears, day after day, as a joke or a subtle warning, reminding you of the need to work hard for yourself, your future and that of the unborn generation.

So you wake up day after day to hustle and make papa proud. You hustle, so someone wouldn't use olive oil to blind your mommy's eyes in the name of divine healing. You acquire degrees, learn multiple tech skills, enter crypto, forex, agriculture, just anything and everything because "woman must attain her goal.”

Regardless of how hard you work, the economy still seems to get harsher. The goalpost keeps shifting. You are left at the mercy of the algorithm, your leaders, and "God's special grace."

But "you've got this," "your hard work will soon pay off" or so you thought.

Believing this to be true, you keep going. You push on, so your children will wear designers instead of bend-down select. You push so your children wouldn't eat rice 3x daily. You push so your children can at least go to school in a Benz and not a kwashiorkor stricken keke napep.

You have every right to push on because every step you take leads you closer to your dream.

In the illustration above, "almost there" is interpreted as mixed. On one hand, it depicts frustration while on the other, it symbolises hope.

The average young person is frustrated at the countless milestones they have to cross to reach their goal. They are also crushed at the thought of a bleak future. Despite everything, they are optimistic that life will turn out better. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But someday soon.

The word "almost" gives a visual representation of the gap between the position we stand today and our goal. Psychologically, it tests our character. It teaches us the importance of patience and resilience.

I believe life is all about “almost theres”. We are always reaching to achieve a new goal or complete a new task. Human beings are truly insatiable, including Elon Musk. As long as you breath, you never have a "last mile".

The one thing that helps us attain these goals are patience, persistence and resilience.

For a while, I've told myself that I want to become a dolphin on Steemit. This motivates me to post and engage with Steemians regularly. Every day, I'd check my SP. How many steems do I have left to reach this goal?

When this happens, my brain releases the feel good hormones — dopamine primarily. I feel excited when I cross milestones.

But one thing I've come to realise is that this process takes patience, persistence and resilience. I have to keep myself motivated even when all expectations fall short.

This takes me back to the illustration I made above. The average Nigerian is hardworking and adaptable. They can survive anywhere. But this wouldn't be possible if they aren't patient and persistent.

Everyone experiences "almost theres" at some point in their lives. For me, the most important thing to do is to enjoy the process. That's the part filled with the most fun.