The Pick Me Delusion

As part of the grieving process, i’ve been watching alot of trash TV. My bestie said I should be ashamed of myself. I’m not. But, last week I sacrificed almost an entire afternoon watching the Danish Deception. I’m not sure that series is aptly named though.

The gist of it is, a young African well educated beautiful girl meets a typical looking Caucasian male and falls head over heel in love. He presents himself as an aristocrat, rich and they travel together and he shows her a life that I think, all of us dream of. However, it all unravels when money problems check in and it turns out he has a gambling addiction and is a narcissist. I encourage you to watch the series, all 25 parts of them, to get what I’m saying.

I have a different take on this though. African traditional society has done women dirty. Most of our culture has been centered around male approval. In my home village, I was the first girl to get into university and graduate. That did not get me nearly as many accolades as when I met someone and brought him home. And I can tell you, the only reason my sister and I went past high school level is because my Dad was a progressive man.

In any case, I’m not excusing the choices the young lady made, but i understand it. The race and colorism undertones. The societal pressure to conform to our culture. I truly get it. That culture of centering the male is what led her to cover his sins, to turn a blind eye, to ignore every instinct in her. That need that is put on us, to be chosen, to be accepted. That is what led to her downfall. And especially because she brought home a young man (stereotypically we have been linked to older Scandinavian men for their money), who is seemingly of means, and the kicker, from an aristocratic background. This godlike man, has chosen an dark skinned African girl. Can you imagine the hullabaloo she must have been causing with her Aunties and Cousins? Even when she discovered that he was lying, her first instinct was not self preservation, I must get out of here. Her first instinct was what will people think? Isn’t this typical of our culture? The shame that is accompanied by what is considered failure? So in a way, i get it.

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Life is a sample size of one

5 years ago I came here and talked about devastating heartbreak that nearly crushed me. Well, i’m back to report that not only has a lot happened since then, but i survived it.

Last time i came here was about 2 months ago. I ranted and raved about surviving a soul crashing job. Guess what, the universe was like, gurrrl, you don’t need this, and i was swiftly put in the retrenchment list. Wont lie, the money was not terrible.

Within the course of life after heartbreak, I met someone. It was all manner of complicated but he had a cute smiley face and a big heart. Giant hands too. It wasn’t a long running relationship. This time, i had my guard up, Proverbs 4:23 et al. But I was willing to see how this goes within the confines of its complications and my guardrails. It was fantastic the first few months. Everything without pressure to conform to traditional roles of boy/girl, man/woman relationships. Until it wasn’t.

I can’t even recall at what point the “wasn’t” started. I honestly cannot recall. But i do recall starting to feel unfulfilled, like this is no longer working for me. Then I started to see red flags everywhere. Everything he would do or say, was nuanced. I was so on edge and all the feelings i had long thought i got over came flooding back. I knew, this is it. Now my heart is broken again, only this time, by me.

To the guy who still has my heart. I don’t know if you will read this but:-

I read somewhere that we experience the world through our own lenses. Example, you could love someone, but only you are aware of how much, and in what manner you feel for this person. Same as hurt, same as anger, same as joy. Only you know what you are experiencing. But as the flawed humans we are we think that the people around us have identical experiences. So the feeling of joy and love and hurt and anger, is experienced the same by all of us. But is that accurate?

In addition to that, a flawed thought we have is, we expect other people to have a similar reactions. Example…If a matatu blocks me off, it would piss me off. I would expect that if a matatu blocks you off, it would piss you off. That’s the beauty of the human flaws. We can be too simplistic. And its within this simplistic human state that we experience life with all its…….glory.

All this to say, I’m only human. And so are you. I felt what i felt, I’m coming to understand that you felt what you felt. Also, I’m coming to understand that it may not have been the same thing. And for that, I’m sorry. I should have realized it sooner. But I’m also grateful to you because now, I no longer have that petrified feeling whenever i meet someone new. I have you to thank for that.

If you can find it in your heart, I wouldn’t mind being friends again one day. Platonic :-). I do hope you find your distraction, and i hope she’s everything you need.

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Being stuck in a soul crushing job:- How do you survive it?

Some, if not most of us have been there, an untenable situation where you have resigned to go with the flow, as long as the paycheck comes in, on time. You are told to jump, you just jump, you count down the clock, you maximize and minimize your emails, you see emails coming in after clock out and it becomes tomorrow’s problem. Your soul is withering slowly every second of every minute of every hour of every day you are there.

How do you survive it? My colleague likes to to say:- focus.

This is my coping strategy:- What is my WHY? Why i’m i here? Why do i need to put up with this? And its simple, Money.

The money i make gives me the ability to experience Joy. When the muhindi shouts, and the ka-ching gets credited at the end of the month, i can buy myself a bottle of wine, take myself to a spa, go out for a long drive to wherever, check myself in to a hotel in Nanyuki. Pesa ni sabuni ya roho.

Over and above that, I have the ability to build something, so that i don’t have to put up with this forever. That is how i survive this.

I read somewhere that burnout in corporate is rampant when you are given responsibilities without the decision making power. Fancy words for a set up.

And thats why i’ll push on, because i now know the pitfalls, and i know my why.

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I always come here when i’m blue

Why is that?

Nobody is consistent with blogging but mine is another level. I even tried journaling. Smh.

So, i lost my 2nd job 5 months ago which in turn significantly hurt my finances. I’ve been working on getting a new one to bridge the gap. My debts wont let me prosper. Then i significantly hurt a budding friendship with skewed loyalties. That one hurt alot.

But alot of good things have happened too in my life. The biggest being, baby girl finished primary school and now she’s in high school. I finished my house, well, almost finished it. I’m hoping that i could do the finishing touches before the rains. The idea is to have market it as a getaway place. Also, i became an Aunt again. I have 2 wonderful nephews.

TN, my forever soulmate. He hurt me recently. But, it didn’t hurt as bad this time. I just need to accept that some things were not meant to be.

I want afew things this year:-

  1. finish my debt:- let me tell you maina, between the bank debt and other debts, its huge. But i can manage it
  2. finish my house and monetize it
  3. work on my farm and grow it
  4. work on the 2nd job

those are the things i want to accomplish this year.

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Mad and Sad

The best description of grief i’ve read so far is:- It makes everything tasteless and colorless. It hangs on you like a cloud, nothing makes sense, everything requires effort that you have no interest making.

My Dad has been unwell for a while now, and the thought of it breaks my heart because its a malaise that is so unnecessary. He was admitted at Nairobi Women’s Adams, right at the height of 3rd wave Covid. Diagnosis, +ve. Antigen test said that. So much drama after that, coma’s, Kidney issues, lung issues, prostrate issues, you name it, he had it.

But i’m not grieving, i’m just pissed off…REALLY pissed, partly at the broken health care system in this country, and also the nonchalant ways some medical people can be. One day i will relay that story. But mostly i’m mad at myself, for trusting that Doctors do no harm. I was wrong. Dead Wrong. Doctors are people first, which means that greed and ego goeth before humanity and compassion. I recall the first meeting i had with my Dad’s primary doctor. It was an entire week after he was admitted and nearly died. Reason:– A test came back with unexpected results. However not all doctors are the same, but if you are unfortunate enough to meet one, its a terrible terrible thing.

However in the same hell hole, i met some wonderful people. Actual human beings Loise and Phylis, Godsent Nurses, Angels. Dr. Njihia, No bullshit kind of person but kind. And Fair, and a human being. However, I would not recommend any one to ever go to Nairobi Women’s Adam’s. Especially if you are a cash payer. The stuff i’ve seen on my bill is for tears.

My family and i managed to move Dad to a different Facility. We thank God for it and we pray that he pulls through whatever damage the other place did to him. We are hopeful. We are praying.

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My heart is broken again

14th October, barely 3 weeks ago, my heart broke. I feel at this rate, my heart looks like a ceramic ornament that has been glued back together within an inch of its life. Its a miracle its still beating this tattered heart of mine.

But the thing about a broken heart, is the scars make it harder, rougher, worn. Like your hands after years of using them to work. I really miss you Thomas, my life is not the same without you. When i need to talk to someone, you are the first person who comes to mind. Like now, so so so much is going on. I would LOVE to share with you. Although, sometimes i felt that you did not share my excitement or less than excitement over the stuff i was going through. But still, its always nice to have someone you can talk to.

Much as my heart is lighter, because the fights are over, the bitterness the anger, all gone. Its still a little heavy because, we shared a life i think. We went through stuff together, good and bad. The upside of being in a relationship is that you always have someone who will listen to you. I don’t know if i was that for you. I’m still not sure what i brought to the table for you.

Sometimes i single mindedly focused on the bit that was not working in the relationship, like the lack of commitment. I know that one is a biggie. It will always be. But i should not have let it overshadow everything. Even the good stuff. If i could do it again, i know exactly what i would do different. I pray everyday for you. I love you, always will. ❤

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Why do i come here in the midst of a crises?

Because i can’t verbally articulate to anyone how i feel. So i write it.

This period has been trying, and not just because of the Covid. This period, this year, has been a nightmare for my personal life. More and More, i’m despairing.

Today i read a story on Bikozulu’s blog. I love his writing. A man going through what he’s calling “an emotionally abusive marriage”. This is when someone holds your emotions hostage. Has your heart by the balls.

I think its happening to me. He is doing that to me. I hate it. I want out. I think i want out. I know i don’t want to be alone.

Please God, Help me.

 

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My Broken Heart

Dear You

Its been 6 days since we broke up. SIX. It feels longer for some reason. Not sure why. I feel, this would have been completely unnecessary, if only you would have been able to make up your mind. You strung me along for 2 years. TWO. For what reason? buying time so that you could get the one that you wanted? i was the fool who you stepped on. the one that i would do anything and everything for.

At this time, i simply hate you. And i’m working on feeling 0 for you. No longer exist, never existed for me. Or mine. I will get through this.

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Reborn

My Munchkin will soon be 6 years old. How time flies.

I started a new job and so far i am liking it. Last time i updated this blog, i was 4 weeks old in Kakuma. I was there 2 years, how time flies. So now i am in Nairobi, 16 kg’s down, 10 more to go, perpetually broke, in a complicated relationship, new friends but extremely happy.

For the first time in my life, i actually feel like i fit in somewhere. Not just in this high pressure environment, but also as a person. I feel like i have a purpose, my life makes sense and i no longer have to be someone who i’m not. I know that statement is made by people who are coming out, and i feel in some ways, like i am.

Simply put, i am well. The people i have met in the last 3 years have actually made an impact in my life. I feel fulfilled now. I still have things that i aspire to do, both in the short term and in the long time but slowly, they are coming to fruition.

The trick is (i discovered almost too late) is to stay positive. You are what you think/feel. This is probably why my life has changed, i have surrounded myself with positive people.

ION

ALEX:- The prettiest boy i have seen in a long time, you need to chill out dude.

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When will it be me?

I met a wonderful fantastic person who has set the bar for other people for me. I can truly say I am in love with him. Small problem though, he’s married.
Today on FB, a girl I was in high-school with is getting ready for her wedding tomorrow. She sounds so happy, ecstatic and in love. She will look so radiant tomorrow, so happy, walking towards the man she loves, and who loves her.
That is what I want. To walk towards the man I love, hold his hand, before family and friends without feeling like I’m crap, or like I’m being judged because of the obvious ring on his finger and my lack of it. What do I do? I love him, he loves me. I know he does. His actions speak louder than any words he could ever say. He looks at me like I’m the best thing that ever happened to him. He makes me feel special, he is so awesome. He treats me like a queen.
I just don’t receive from him. He’s the only guy who I have never felt like he’s taking advantage. I gladly wake up early and make his breakfast, and meals. I don’t mind making him his favorite dish. I don’t mind spending my money buying him a nice pair of jeans, or shirt because I think he’d look nice in it.
Mostly, he loves my kid. And my kid puts up with him, as much as a 4 year old can anyway. The only downside to all this is, I can’t have him. I can’t present him to my dad.
Why is it this way? The perfect person for me who can never be mine. Cruel joke!

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