31 and Still Waiting for My Breakthrough: A True Nigerian Story of Struggle and Hope

31 and Still Waiting for My Breakthrough: A True Nigerian Story of Struggle and Hope

Sometimes I sit alone and ask myself what exactly I did wrong. I’m 31 years old, and while others around me seem to be building homes, investing in businesses, getting married, or posting vacation pictures, I’m here trying to figure out where my next meal will come from. I’m not lazy. I try, I push, I wake up every morning hoping today will be the day things finally shift. But somehow, it always feels like I’m stuck in one spot.

No savings. No investment. No stable job. No relationship. No apartment to call my own. And there are times when even eating feels like a miracle. This is not the life I imagined for myself, and truth be told, I’ve had moments where I questioned if life was even worth continuing. It’s hard to stay strong when nothing seems to work no matter how much effort you put in.

But deep down, I know I’m not alone. There are many people out there just like me — hustling, hoping, holding on even when the odds are against us. The truth is, life in Nigeria is not easy, especially when you don’t have support, connections, or capital. Sometimes it feels like success is a game only a chosen few get to play. But still, we move.

I’m not ashamed of my story. I’ve tried several things — little jobs here and there, content creation, writing, betting with the hope of flipping something small into something big, even selling data and helping people with errands. I have ideas. I have passion. I have dreams. But what I don’t have right now is a clear path, and that’s what makes everything feel heavy.

One thing I know for sure is that giving up isn’t an option. I didn’t come this far just to collapse in the middle of the road. There’s a voice inside me that still whispers, “Hold on — your story isn’t over yet.”

And maybe that’s why I’m writing this here on Steemit — not just to vent, but to connect. Maybe someone out there will read this and realize they’re not alone. Maybe someone will be inspired to hold on too. Or maybe this is my chance to start again, one word at a time. To build something from my pain and turn it into purpose.

If you’re reading this and you’ve been in this dark place before, I see you. If you’re still fighting your own silent battles, I feel you. And if you’re one of the lucky ones who made it out, please don’t forget those of us still climbing. Share hope, share advice, share love — because sometimes one kind word can carry a person through the night.

My name is William. I’m 31. I’m broke, but I’m not broken. I’m struggling, but I’m not finished. I don’t have everything figured out, but I still have breath — and that means my story is still being written.

Thank you for reading. If you feel anything from this post, drop a comment. Let’s lift each other up.