ÀPÓTÍ [FUTURE WE IMAGINE]

She sat quietly on the apótí, while her mother gently plaited her hair. But suddenly, her eyes went far beyond that moment. A painful thought crossed her mind: “Is this how my life will be when I grow up?” Sometimes, the thoughts we carry about our future begin to shape the decisions we make today. Living here in Kaduna, I have seen many young marriages begin with happiness, only for them to break apart not long after. And sometimes, I find myself wondering about the thoughts that may have influenced some of those choices. Many young people dream of marrying into wealthy families. They want comfort, luxury and a life different from the one they grew up seeing. And there is nothing wrong with wanting a better life. But sometimes, in the process of chasing that picture of the future, people make choices that eventually bring them pain. At the same time, not every broken home is because someone wanted wealth. Some homes break because of other circumstances, choices, misunderstandings and things we may never see. lesson: don't allow the fear of having less to make you choose what will cost you your peace. Wealth is beautiful, but it is not the only definition of a good life. Sometimes, happiness lives in a home where there may not be much money, but there is love, respect, understanding and peace. So, dream about your future, but don't let your imagination pressure you into making decisions you may regret. Because the life you think you must escape from may not be the life you eventually live. . . Storyteller | Art Director | Photographer: @Director_3apro Thursday 3rd September. 2026.