Hello again, everyone.

Have you ever felt like life’s challenges were turning you to stone? I’ve been there.

Yesterday, I was talking to a friend about some of the daunting experiences we face as single mums and financial stability was at the top of the list. I agree.

I grew up with a mum who always told me that being financially independent was a woman’s superpower. Her words echoed in my mind as I started earning money, driving me to save for a rainy day. At times, I wondered if I was over-cautious, but deep down, I knew it was necessary.

This decision proved invaluable when I had to leave Malaysia to return home with my young children. With my savings, I managed to cover our return tickets and their school fees for the term and secure a year’s accommodation. But after all these expenses, I was left with just N50,000.

It was clear that I needed to find a job to provide for my small family. But the reality of getting a job was much harsher than I expected. Most people were not willing to take a chance on a single mother. Luckily, I had left my former company on a good note, so I returned. It was the last place I wanted to be because of the bad memories (gist for another day).

It was not easy. My boss was a single man driven by his deliverables, and unfortunately, I was not delivering at 100%. The toxicity and verbal abuse in the workplace were even more draining than the emotional impact of my divorce and the struggle of adjusting to being a single mother. I remember my boss saying that the reason I was going through the divorce was because I was not competent. That crushed my spirit, but despite the crushing words and toxic environment, I stood my ground. Each day was a test of my endurance and strength, and somehow, I found it within myself to forgive.

Next week, I will share how I began to transform these challenging experiences into opportunities for growth and stability. Stay tuned!