The Blog of marsdave

Well, it does sound like the idea of a gap year is a luxury, one that can't be afforded by just anybody. That was my thought though, I thought it was meant for just rich people or the unserious type. Not until I found myself in some kind of situation. What's the situation? I became a full-time member of the Unemployed Graduates of Nigeria. It wasn't by choice, it's just how life threw itself at me. After graduating, I thought jobs would come flying in from every angle. I had planned it all...... graduate, serve, get a job, and boom, start building my future.

Lo and behold, NYSC didn't call, no call up number or call up letter, nothing came....I decided to work for sometime, I reached out to some organizations, but still nothing came, those ones that came through are too stressful and my health wouldn't be able to handle the stress..... I felt like I was falling behind, I felt like I was being cheated by life. But somewhere in between all of those waitings and thinking, I asked myself, what if this pause is a chance for me to do something else, to explore, what if this pause is not a punishment?

I summoned courage, even though I felt ashamed at first. I went to learn how to make frames, jotters, banners and all. Back then, I did avoid old schoolmates, and rarely attended family or friends weddings. But, I looked at myself, and thought, I had made this decision myself, there's nothing to be ashamed of, if I decide to do nothing or keep waiting, then it means I’ll be wasting one year of my life because nobody wants to employ me, or because NYSC isn't calling.

It was never in my plan to take a gap year, who would even do such in a country like ours. But life threw me into it after graduating. I had applied for lots of jobs, got very little interviews, some promised to get back to me, and those who did got back to me, what it entails is too stressful for me.

That gap year became my year of rebirth. I learnt graphics, I learnt to make frames. My first work looked a little bit somehow, even I had to bear some losses with my own money, but still, I kept going. I started posting online and soon, neighbors, friends and everyone started patronising me, and somehow, that boy who once waited for interviews is now charging for frames, magic mugs, throw pillows and all.

I realize growth isn’t all about degrees, titles and all, sometimes, it's in you discovering what you love outside what the society's blueprint. A gap year should be used intentionally, and with that you will experience a different kind of transformation. You can decide to learn a new skill, travel..... anything. A gap year allows for rest, it allows for a rethink, it allows you to take a pause and ask yourself, “What do I really want?” You get to kmow yourself beyond the classroom/office.

A gap year can make you procrastinate, it can also be an excuse for laziness when you spend it sleeping, complaining, and comparing your journey to others. But, you can put that time to work, either by learning, building, or doing something productive.....

Even though my gap year was tough and slow...it definitely was a necessity. A gap year can really be a good time for growth, it might look like a delay, but it actually makes room for a whole lot. Sometimes you have to do away with the noise, just so you can hear yours, of which that voice of yours can lead you to places no certificate will.

All pictures are mine.

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