Problems
Life is full of problems. Maybe not full of, but, problems make up a considerable part of life. They are
not spread in any order, lets not subscribe to superstition please, but they happen when they happen
and in anyway they come. The latest may be a health challenge of a loved one, a difficult boss or
tough parent, being broke during an emergency or even being broke at anytime at all, wicked
lecturers, a due paper/assignment/project. We all know what problems are, we’ve all had a healthy
supply of’em. I am writing to share with you the things I have learned in my very short life on how to
manage periods of crisis.
1. Don’t talk about it.
I read somewhere that 80% of the people that you tell about your problems don’t care while the
other 20% are going to be kind of glad you have them problems. Don’t go about ranting to everyone
that will listen. It a casual thing, and yet, so grave as it can give you the reputation of a bitter person.
Also talking to many people about a thing means that you are looking for something, someone who
will cry and be as pained as you, with you. You’re not going to find that and this will increase your
frustration and make you less able to manage yourself.
2. Talk about it.
We all have someone we trust to hear us out. Don’t expect them to make the problems go away. No.
In sharing, the goal is the sharing not some magical move to bring the dead back to life. Talking is
important because it helps you define exactly what the evil is and, a devil you know is already half
dead. From there, you will be able to see, if there are any, points where you may begin reducing the
size and dimming the magnitude of the issue at hand. If you do not have such a person whom you
trust, try people that don’t really know you, especially ones that are older, you may even trauma
dump on a stranger. I have noticed that older people want to give the wisdom that they can, to make
life easier for the ones coming behind. Talk to a boss, uncle, pastor or neighbourly lady, one who
cannot use your vulnerability against you. Heck, if there is no one, write about it. It’s not the response
of the listener that matters. The point is to get the issue out of you head because it is bigger and more
powerful in there.
3. Manage yourself.
Proactivity is key. Don’t let problems that could have been prevented catch you unawares. Prepare in
advance. Study after lectures, save for rainy days, you don’t even know how to swim and practice
health preserving habits. For the sake of everything that matters, what is the problem with young
people and doing drugs and consuming all that alcohol with hype? That isn’t enjoyment or maturity. It
is self harm and slow suicide. Also, communicate exactly what you expect from bosses, colleagues,
friends, siblings and parents. Shutting up is not avoiding problems or respect. It’s killing you slowy and
teaching people around that stepping on you and taking advantage of you is okay. Pay debts on time
and do chores as daily maintenance. Don’t allow yourself to be ambushed, swamped or
overwhelmed.
On another side of this bridge, when you are caught in crisis, chose your response. React in a way
that, after everything is over, there will be no regrets. You are not a tornado; stop leaving destruction
and hurt behind every time you are stirred. Please recharged your batteries when you begin to shut
down and depression starts creeping in. Rest, do some self care, for a few minutes, do something you
enjoy. Then, get back to hustling through the problem. Choose your response.
4. Do something.
In many cases, the solution we seek is often with us, especially when the issue at hand is
interpersonal. Do not be afraid to approach that person, that obstacle, that situation and, do so with
confidence and with respect for them. Make it clear to yourself that you are not going to fight but to
deal with whatever needles are pricking you.
Sometimes the solution to a problem is accepting the situation. Be realistic and abandon denial as
soon as your brain starts working again. You’re not a genie, you cannot make cancer go away. Live,
fight and love.
Problems make life interesting, bad as they may be, there’s no life without them. Don’t run away.
Pray to God and He’ll give you strength to be victorious. Know this: “if you succeed, good for you. If
you fail, you learn, and if you die, well, you rest in peace” -idk who said that.
