Clueless Twenties

  Dear Reader, A lot of us are deceived by the illusion of perfection on social media. You are told to look a certain way, act a certain way, and be a certain way to fit in. Social media influencers and marketers take the opportunity to manipulate you into buying products in large numbers that you don't need at all. Let's delve into the world of consumerism and consumer manipulation. In the early 18th century, in the countries of north-western Europe, the Industrial Revolution began to transform the economy and shape consumer culture as we know it today. Economies began to expand, and wages rose, leading to an increase in disposable income and the ability to purchase more goods and services. Their spending started a positive economic spiral. Revenue grew, and profits rose in direct proportion to their expenditures. Observers realised by the middle of the 18th century that they were seeing a historic shift, which historians have since referred to as the first consumer revolution...

  Dear Reader, Disguised as tough love, there is mental, emotional, physical, and financial abuse in African homes. Let it be noted that not all African homes are abusive, and what is not mentioned here can be found in all African homes, but we also have to acknowledge that most African homes condone abuse in the name of tough love and discipline. Let's take action to address these issues and work towards creating safer environments for all individuals together. It is crucial to break the cycle of abuse and promote healthy relationships within families. It is time, as Africans, that we address this, so let's address it: For many of us, our first experiences of abuse came from our parents. The toxicity then influenced how we view and treat others in our relationships. Confidence and self worth were broken down, and now you can not seem to recognise yourself out of the cycle of abuse. By understanding and reflecting on this, you can rebuild yourself, recognise your worth, and emb...

  Dear Reader, As per the title, this is going to be a controversial topic and opinion, but one that I hold dear to my heart as it has shaped me into the woman I am today. What is feminism in this modern age and time? This writer, dear reader, has pounded on this question severally. According to Oxford Languages, feminism is defined as the advocacy of women's rights on the basis of equality between the sexes. So what do I mean when I say Western Feminism? I mean feminism that fights for women in western countries and, mostly, the white woman; I mean mainstream feminism. African feminism differs from Western feminism in that the latter focuses on individual rights and is founded on 'I,' whereas the former acknowledges communal aspects that are culturally fundamental to an African society, and its ideologies are based on 'We' (Ubuntu). My feminist journey, however, starts with my mother's struggles and my grandmother's ideologies, plus my father's support...

  Dear Readers, As a child who was not shielded from a lot of the harsh realities of the world, I quickly learned to be independent and self-sufficient. There are certain things that, if I ever have children, will never happen on my watch. Sure, I have no kids only speak from a child's perspective . but I know the importance of protecting their innocence and ensuring a safe and nurturing environment. The harsh realities of mental health as an adult are something I never want my children to experience. So let us dive in: Sleepovers: even if it is at my mother's house or my brother's house, I do not care where it is; my child is sleeping at home. We have created an environment in this society where a father can prey on their child, and as a child who was sexually abused by a relative and all the sleepover stories of rape and sedomy, sorry guys, my child is not sleeping in anyone's house. Let us not forget that other children also sexually abuse kids and groom them . Spiri...

  Dear reader, Nobody can ever adequately prepare for how lost you feel in your twenties, and nobody can teach you how to deal with it, which is precisely where this writer finds herself, dear reader. I would say you are crazy if you had told me two years ago that I would be twenty-five years old and have no friends, figuring out my life in general; everything feels like it has to start anew. But life has a funny way of surprising us, doesn't it? In your twenties, everyone talks about how you should live life up, travel, and experience new things. But what about: 1. The pressure to live life to the fullest in your twenties and the reality of feeling lost and alone. 2. The challenges of starting over in various aspects of life, such as relationships, careers, and friendships. 3. Exploring the emotional impact of not having friends at a stage in life where social connections are typically emphasised. 4. Reflecting on societal expectations for young adults versus personal feelings of ...