Omah’s Odyssey
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
By Esther Omah
AFTER CHIGOZIE left, I felt lost and alone. The silence was deafening, and the emptiness was overwhelming. I wandered around my thoughts, trying to make sense of what had happened. But the more I thought about it, the more confused I became.
I knew I had to take control of my life and navigate the aftermath of our breakup. I couldn’t let the pain and sadness consume me. I had to find a way to heal, move forward, and rediscover myself.
The first step was to acknowledge my emotions. I was hurt, angry, and sad. I felt betrayed and abandoned. But I also knew that I couldn’t stay in that place forever. I had to find a way to process my emotions, work through them, and come out stronger on the other side.
As I processed my emotions, I started to identify patterns and themes. I realized that my hurt and anger were rooted in feelings of rejection and abandonment. I understood that my sadness was a natural response to the loss of a relationship that had meant so much to me.
With this newfound understanding, I began to work through my emotions. I practised self-compassion, treating myself with kindness and gentleness. I challenged negative self-talk, such as self-doubt and uncertainty, self-blame and guilt, comparing myself to others, negative labelling, and catastrophizing. I replaced these thoughts with positive affirmations.
I told myself: “I am capable and competent.”I am worthy of love and respect.”I am strong and resilient.”I have got this!”I believe in myself.”I can handle this challenge.”It’s okay to make mistakes; I’m learning and growing.”I’m doing the best I can, and that’s enough.”I’m kind and gentle with myself, even when I’m struggling.”I’m not failing; I’m learning and improving.”This setback is an opportunity for growth and learning.”I’m not perfect, and that’s okay; I’m human.”
I focused on self-care, nurturing my physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Slowly but surely, I started to heal. The pain didn’t disappear overnight, but it slowly began to fade.
I began to see the world in a new light, to appreciate the beauty and wonder that surrounded me. I started to rediscover myself to uncover hidden strengths and talents. I began to envision a new future, one that was bright, bold, and full of possibility.
After graduating and serving my country, Nigeria, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment. The journey had been long and challenging, but I had persevered, fueled by my determination to succeed. As I stepped into the real world, I knew that I had to apply the valuable lessons I had learned in order to achieve my goals.
I recalled the 3 Ps of hard work that had been instilled in me during my academic journey: persistence, perseverance, and patience. These principles had been my guiding light, and I knew they would continue to serve me well as I navigated the ups and downs of my career.
With my degree in hand, I set out to find a job that would utilize my skills and knowledge. I applied to numerous positions, tailoring my resume and cover letter to each job description. I also networked with people in my industry, attending job fairs and conferences to make connections.
After several months of searching, I finally landed a reputable 9-to-5 job at a prestigious company. Initially, I was excited to start my career and gain some experience in the field. However, as time went on, I began to feel unfulfilled and restless. Despite the security and stability that came with my job, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was meant for something more.
I felt like I was just going through the motions, day in and day out, without any sense of purpose or passion. After much contemplation and soul-searching, I made the bold decision to quit my job. It was a scary and uncertain time, but I knew that I had to take a leap of faith and pursue my dreams.
With the unwavering support of my loved ones and the valuable connections I had made during my time at the company, I was able to turn my passion into a reality. I leveraged the insights and expertise I had gained to start my own real estate company. Through hard work and determination, my company began to flourish.
I was able to build a team of dedicated professionals who shared my vision, and together, we were able to make a meaningful impact in the industry.
As I looked back on my journey, I realized that I had come a long way. I had faced my fears and overcome them, and I had achieved a level of success that I never thought possible. But as I continued on my path, I began to redefine what success meant to me. It wasn’t just about achieving a certain status or accumulating wealth; it was about living a life that was true to who I was and making a positive impact on the world.
I learned to trust the process, to have faith that everything was unfolding as it should. I learned to be true to myself, to listen to my inner voice, and to follow my heart. I learned to surround myself with positive people, people who supported and encouraged me on my journey.
I prioritized self-care, taking care of my physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. I learned to be grateful for all that I had, to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world around me. I found joy in the little things, appreciating the small pleasures in life.
I learned to live in the present, to let go of worries about the past or future. I learned to embrace uncertainty and to see the beauty in the unknown. I found strength in vulnerability, seeing that it was okay to be vulnerable and open.
As I looked to the future, I knew that I would continue to grow and evolve. I would continue to pursue my passions and make a positive impact on the world. I would continue to stay true to myself and trust the process.
I took a moment to reflect on my journey, celebrating my successes and learning from my failures. I knew that I had come a long way, and I was excited to see what the future held.
As I closed one chapter of my life, I knew that I was opening another. I was ready for the next challenge, the next opportunity to grow and learn. I was ready to take on the world, armed with the knowledge and experience I had gained along the way.
Until next week Tuesday, I’ll be sharing with you the challenges I faced while struggling to grow my business – not just as a young business owner and entrepreneur, but also as a female figure trying to compete with my counterparts.
