08/08/2025
Strong Woman, Small Rest” – Part 1
(Real talk about burnout and pretending to be okay)
That day, I woke up tired.
Not because I didn’t sleep well.
But because I was just tired of everything.
Tired of trying.
Tired of showing up.
Tired of being the one that “always has it together.”
I looked at my phone.
So many messages.
So many tasks.
So many people needing something from me.
And me? I had nothing left to give.
But I still got up.
Still replied messages.
Still posted something online.
Still smiled.
Because… that’s what I do, right?
I didn’t want anyone to ask if I was okay.
Because if I opened my mouth, I might cry.
I felt alone.
Even with people around me, I felt like I was carrying everything by myself.
Then Ugo called.
I almost ignored it. But I picked.
She didn’t ask, “How are you?”
She just said,
“Babe… please don’t break while trying to be strong.”
That was all.
And it broke me.
I just sat there, phone to my ear, shaking my head, tears falling.
I told her, “I’m tired.”
That’s all I could say.
And she said, “It’s okay. You don’t have to do anything right now. Just rest.”
That night, I didn’t work.
Didn’t post.
Didn’t force myself to be okay.
I just ate.
Laid down.
And allowed myself to breathe.
That was the beginning of healing for me.
Not with big changes… but small ones.
Because even strong women need rest.
Even strong women cry.
And this Lagos?
This Lagos will not kill me.
— Story by Oma. To be continued.