How do you manage stress?

Let me tell you something about stress: sometimes, you want to deal with it maturely, and other times, you just want to look at life and ask, “Oga, wetin dey occur?”

Because honestly, being an adult is a full-time job that nobody properly prepared us for. There are always bills to pay, responsibilities to fulfil, expectations to meet, decisions to make, and those random problems that show up without an invitation. And somehow, we’re expected to handle everything with a smile.

God abeg!!!! 

Over time, I’ve realised that I don’t always manage stress the same way. It depends on the day, what’s weighing on my mind, and how much energy I have left to deal with life.

Sometimes, I take it to the kitchen.

There is something about being in the kitchen that helps me take my mind off things. Give me something to cook, let me move around, focus on the ingredients, and do my thing.

Before you know it, I’m distracted, I’m creating something, and for a little while, my mind isn’t running a marathon through all my problems.

Of course, this doesn’t mean the problems have disappeared. They will still be waiting for me when I’m done cooking. Very shameless fellows! lol

But sometimes, a little distraction is exactly what I need to catch my breath before facing them again.

Other times, I put my thoughts on paper.

You see, not every thought needs to remain in your head. Make person no craze!

Sometimes, your mind is so crowded that you can barely make sense of what you’re feeling. Everything is happening at once, and you don’t even know where to begin.

That’s when writing helps me.

I put my thoughts on paper. I write what bothers me, what I’m afraid of, what I’m tired of, and sometimes, the things I cannot quite explain to anyone.

I don’t always need the words to sound beautiful. I’m not writing an article for Motiv8You. I’m simply trying to get the noise out of my head.

And sometimes, seeing those thoughts written down helps me understand them better.

Not every problem gets solved, but at least I can begin to separate what I can control from what I need to stop carrying around.

And, of course, there’s music.

Whether I’m in the kitchen or putting my thoughts on paper, there’s a good chance music will be playing somewhere in the background.

Add a good glass of wine on some evenings, and we might just have ourselves a little moment.

Sometimes, you need an atmosphere that allows you to unwind. A song that matches your mood. A familiar melody that makes you feel something other than the weight of your responsibilities.

The goal isn’t to pretend that life is suddenly perfect. It’s simply to give yourself a moment when everything doesn’t feel so heavy.

Then there are the days when I do absolutely nothing.

And honestly, these days deserve their own paragraph.

Sometimes, I just sit there, stare into space, and talk to God.

Some days, I’m genuinely pouring my heart out to Him. Other days? Hmm. Let’s just say my conversations with God can be very interesting. lol

There are days when I pray, and there are days when I question, complain, negotiate, and practically present my case as though God is sitting across a table from me.

On some days, I might even be guilty of trying to gaslight Him a little. lol

But underneath all the humour is something I value: the freedom to show up honestly.

I don’t always have the right words. I don’t always understand what’s happening around me. And I certainly don’t always have everything figured out.

Sometimes, all I can do is sit quietly and talk to God about it.

And sometimes, I simply sit there.

No productivity. No solutions. No trying to figure out my next move.

Just me, my thoughts, and a little silence.

I’ve come to appreciate that doing nothing for a moment doesn’t automatically mean I’m wasting time. Sometimes, my body needs rest, and my mind needs room to breathe.

I know that none of these things magically remove every problem from my life. I’m still human, and life will continue doing what life does.

But I’ve learnt that I don’t have to respond to every stressful situation immediately. I don’t have to solve everything in one day. And I don’t have to keep pushing myself when what I genuinely need is a break.

Of course, when stress becomes overwhelming or begins to affect your daily life, rest and distraction may not be enough. Sometimes, you need to talk to someone you trust or seek professional support.

And please, asking for help doesn’t mean you’re mentally unstable. It doesn’t mean you’re weak, either.

You don’t have to wait until you’re falling apart before you give yourself permission to seek help.

Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is admit that you’re struggling and allow someone to help you through it.

Because honestly, the bills will still be there. The responsibilities won’t disappear. And life may not suddenly become easier.

So learn to pause. Give yourself permission to breathe. And remind yourself that you are a human being, not a machine built to function without rest.

So, today, I’m choosing to be a little kinder to myself.

And if you need that reminder too, please take it.

You don’t have to carry the whole world on your shoulders today.

One breath. One moment. One thing at a time.