CHALLENGES OF LIVING ALONE

I finally got my own place, a tiny one-room apartment. I was super thrilled at first. I mean, after living with a bunch of loud siblings, I had my own space and could do whatever I wanted. No more sharing a room. It seemed perfect, but I quickly learned that living solo wasn't all that easy.

The first night was a total shock. I was so used to having my younger sister sleeping right next to me. That night, every little noise freaked me out. The door made some sounds, dogs down the street wouldn't stop barking, and even the clock was too loud. I ended up leaving the lights on all night.

Cooking was another thing I struggled with. At home, food just appeared on the table, you know? Now, I had to make everything myself. Some nights, I was just too tired from work and would eat bread and garri for dinner. One time, I tried to cook beans but fell asleep on the couch. I woke up to a kitchen full of smoke and a completely burnt pot. It was a disaster!

Money became a constant worry. Before, my parents took care of everything. Now, I had to deal with gas bills, electricity bills, buying food, and even fixing stuff that broke down. My fan quit working at one point, and I couldn't afford a new one right away. I sweated it out for days, it was terrible. I realized that every single naira counted, and I had to figure out how to make my money stretch. I learned how to make a budget.

And then I was lonely. Some days, the quiet in my apartment was just too much. No one to chat with when I got home from work, no one to crack jokes with, or share stories about my crazy day. I started missing my family, even the annoying sounds that I used to complain about all the time.

Safety was a concern, too. One night, my neighbor knocked on my door really late, claiming he wanted to check on me. I made up a lie about my cousin being inside and didn't open the door. It was scary, and I couldn't sleep at all that night. Living alone meant I had to be on my guard all the time.

Sighs…it is well.