WILL IT BE SAID THAT YOU LIVED?

We live our lives on acceptance, and we live it too fast.

First and foremost, I have to state that I’ve been severely attacked academically this past month. Technically, I’ve been an academic victim since my parents enrolled me in crèche, but the past month has been tedious. Between examinations and my upcoming jury as an Architecture student, I haven’t been able to put content out here on Substack or anywhere else—just kidding, I don’t even post anywhere except Substack.

Anyways, that’s the reason I’ve been out for such a long while. Although, I’m still drowning in school work, I told myself I had to put out something before the month ends.

So here we go…

This has been in my draft since May, but I didn’t think it was complete in itself, I was also skeptical about how you’d find it, and I shouldn’t exactly care (it’s my space and my content)—and that is part of what I’d be addressing in this newsletter—the constant NEED for validation that keeps us from living our lives and dreams as we should.

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I was listening to a podcast by Apostle Femi Lazarus while preparing for church on the last Sunday of May, and he said something that struck.

He said, "Will it be said that you lived?" I heard it, and it echoed. And echoed.

"Will it be said that you lived?"

"Will it be said that you lived?"

"Will it be said that you lived?"

And then, it got personal, and I heard, "Rejoice, will it be said that you lived?"

I'm currently in my finals in the university. I'm looking back as I write this trying to figure out if I have lived the little life I’ve experienced so far, and I can't exactly find anything.

Now, this topic doesn't revolve around the world's definition of living. I'm not talking about clubbing, drinking, getting high or having several relationships, situationships or whatever ships we have these days. I'm talking about the little things that bring fulfillment:

The healthy adventures we embark to create memories.

The conscious steps we take to move or even feel closer to our destinies.

The liberty we give ourselves when we choose to love ourselves and the world like Christ does.

I'm talking about being self aware—taking care of our physical and mental health even in littlest ways.

I'm talking about telling that truth and embracing who we've been called to be without double checking or thinking what society would think about us and our minds.

I’m talking about truly finding ourselves—our drive, what we’re passionate about, what gives us peace.

Personally, I think it's high time I told society, ‘‘I'm going to live my life. You’ve had yours—now I have mine.
You’ve lived yours—now I want to live mine.’’

I promise I won't be an anarchist. I promise I won't intentionally hurt anyone, but what I won't promise is conforming to the ideas you have of me, or who I should be. I won't play along to the stories you've written for me. I won't fit the character you expect me to cosplay.

"Why?"

It's simply my life, not yours.

I understand that you may have more experience, more "wisdom", more failures and testimonies, and I appreciate it's beauty, but you can't shove it down my throat.

I know what you’re asking of me is the “norm”, I'm aware. But who said I was normal?

Who said I want to remain in the confines of the walls you've built? Who said I'm interested in kissing your a**?

Who said I want walk the path your footprints are on?

Who said I want to turn out like you or even close?

I know this might sound rebellious, and that is because it is.

One day, a few people might wake up and realize that they haven't explored and utilized 1% of themselves. They'd gaze into the sky, reminiscing… nothing. They'd realize they lived for the society—the culture of getting a job, having a family, raising that family and nothing else. They might even barely remember the dreams they once had as children/youths, and then it'd be too late to get it together. They’ll then find people to impose their unfulfilled dreams on, becoming miserable, continuing the cycle and forgetting the young lads have their lives to live.

Believe it or not, we all have destinies and purpose. God didn't create anyone because ‘‘he felt like it’’. You were made for a higher calling. It's left for you to find what it is and act on it.

Now, maybe destiny is a bit overwhelming and serious.

Let’s start with the little things we should be doing to romanticize our lives. You know, living life a moment at a time, simmering in all the feels there is to take in.

We’re all aware of the saying “life comes at you fast” . I’m not going to dispute that it’s true, but I’m just going to add that it’s also BS. Sometimes, it’s a way of scaring people, reminding them do the expected, ripping them off of their own plans, leaving them little or no room to dream wild.

Honestly, this might sound cliché, but start by;

Taking walks (you live in Nigeria and the streets don’t exactly look appealing, manage it).

Dancing in front of the mirror to your favorite album or artists.

Intentionally doing that skincare routine.

Working out.

Constantly checking in on your loved ones.

Eating your comfort foods.

Blocking out those negative voices in your head.

Erasing the scary imaginations of failure, shame and loss.

Telling society to mind it’s damn business.

And more importantly, constantly talking to the Holy Spirit.

In general, just living POSITIVELY.

You don’t have to take a huge significant step to fulfilling dreams just yet. Focus on the little things that makes you happy, the things that makes you feel alive. When the time is right, you’d realize you’ve been taking small steps to finding you and truly embracing the dear gift of life.

I’m hoping this is the podcast I listened to(I kind of forgot the title). Please, check it out:

Lastly, congratulations—you’ve seen end of the 1st half of 2025. Keep going.

—From the therapeutic mind of Aggy.