It’s been one of those typical Lagos days. The rain started quite early this morning, and trust me, that only means one thing—most parts of Lagos are already flooded. It’s almost like clockwork, isn’t it? The clouds gather, the skies darken, and before you know it, puddles turn into ponds, and streets into rivers.
But being the life of a 9-5’er, I can’t exactly keep up with the chaotic scenes outside. It’s funny how you don’t truly know how busy the roads are until you clock out at 5 p.m. and step into the reality of Lagos life.
Already, my mind is bracing for the inevitable—traffic. A mid-week downpour is always a guarantee for gridlock, and on top of that, I’m dreading the ride-hailing app surges that will be waiting to drain my wallet. Isn’t it funny how Bolt, Uber, or whichever app you’re using, seems to thrive on days like this? It’s like they see the rain and decide, “Yes, today is the day of surges, enjoy the wahala.”
And wahala it is.
The worst part is that every time this happens, I ask myself, will it ever end? Will we ever see a day where we don’t have to mentally prepare for traffic jams, endless waiting, and bank-breaking ride fares just because the weather decided to switch it up a bit? Sigh… but somehow, amidst the frustration, there’s always that silver lining.
You know what? Despite the rain and the chaos it brings, I’m reminded of the little joys in life—the things that keep me going. On this cold, wet Wednesday evening, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I’m grateful that I have a cozy office to work in, doing what I love. There’s warmth in knowing I can head back home after the 9-5 grind and be greeted by loved ones—those familiar faces that make everything feel right, even after the longest of days.
And then, there’s my home. The warmth of a well-lit, well-furnished space waiting for me, offering me comfort, while the world outside is battling with wet roads, traffic, and cold. It’s in moments like this I can’t help but feel for those who don’t have these simple blessings—a roof over their head, a family to hold close, or even the means to escape the rain-soaked streets of Lagos. Life can be unpredictable and unfair, and today, I’m reminded of that in the most humbling way.
So here I am, on this \Wet Wednesday, thinking of the wahala that lies ahead, the surge prices I will probably meet when I open the Bolt app, and the traffic jam that will test my patience. But in the middle of it all, there’s a little joy—a reminder to stay grateful for what I do have. And that, dear diary, is what’s getting me through today.