How to Deal with Nationwide Chaos
It’s been a challenging couple of weeks for Nigerians, especially for people who currently live in Nigeria. We definitely saw a tough October; one that was fueled with anger, passion and then, patriotism.
Like most Nigerians, I had mixed feelings about the Independence Day celebration on October 1st which marked Nigeria at 60. While we are glad that we gained Independence, we notably cared less about the actual celebration because there seems to be nothing worth that euphoria.
Not only have we had to deal with corruption, bad governance, an undulating economy, constant power outages, poor education, gross unemployment and a host of other things, we’ve especially had to face the gross injustices meted out by some operatives in the police force which birthed a long-overdue reaction from Nigerian Youths. This was the #EndSARS Movement.
The #EndSARS protest was meant to be a simple call for the government to hold operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad-(SARS) Unit accountable for gross misconduct, alleged- robberies, assaults and extrajudicial killings; and ultimately end the Unit.
As numbers grew, the movement metamorphosed into a call for a better Nigeria but this was disappointingly met with brutality from security operatives across the country. The #LekkiShooting at the tollgate in Lagos state was the height of it and yet again, the government has failed to provide a plausible explanation to the unfortunate event.
This incident broke even the best of us. However, it is clear that Nigerians irrespective of glaring differences can work together with a common goal. For this to happen, we all need to take a step back and deal with the chaos in our heads. We need to personally and collectively take care of our minds as they hold the power to achieve greatness. These are a few tips to help you deal with the chaos.
Reframe your thoughts. In doing this, you need to remind yourself why you were motivated to join the #EndSARS movement or better still, why you are motivated to try and live your best life despite all the challenges thrown at you. Think positive and happy thoughts even when it gets way too hard.
Try to Stay Positive. Alright, I know what you’re thinking! It may feel impossible to do that with all that has happened but we definitely saw possibilities when we started marching online and offline so you might as well keep a positive attitude and hold your hopes high. This should also apply to other circumstances in your life.
Remind yourself of things you’re grateful for. Yet another seemingly impossible feat, right? I know… I’m a realist too. However, try to remember even the littlest things. For me, it was the completion of my NYSC program and a very positive appraisal from work. It could be the little jokes we can afford to make amidst the hard times… it could be anything. Find it, and appreciate it.
Speak to people around you. This cannot be overemphasized. This is not a show of weakness but a move of strength for the sake of your mental health. If you can afford it, seek professional help. In life generally, make it a point to speak with trusted people who will listen and help you deal with situations. Notably, if you do not have anyone in your close circle who you can relate with on a deeper level, maybe you should rethink your circle. However, if you personally just don’t like sharing, you may want to check out websites and online groups that will help you relate with people anonymously.
You can try these aforementioned exercises in the future and you’ll be surprised how much better you’ll get at managing your emotions, adapting to change and managing the chaos.
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