Nothing Was Wasted: The Power of Refusing to Be Idle “Every attempt, every skill, every se

When I got married, I worked for the first five years of my marriage. But in the sixth year, after childbirth and facing several challenges, I left my job.

At that point, I also wanted to pursue my Master's degree. Honestly, I had become tired of doing the same thing repeatedly. I was bored, and I felt it was time to explore something different.

During my Master's programme, I began trying different things.

I started by supplying plantain chips to supermarkets and other outlets. It was promising, but managing the business alongside caring for a baby became exhausting, so I stopped for a while.

But there was one thing I knew about myself: I could not stay idle.

So, I started making liquid soap. The business grew to the point where I found it difficult to combine production and marketing. Eventually, I had to stop.

Then I moved into selling jewellery. I took them to banks and shops, and things were beginning to look promising. But circumstances arose, and I had to stop that too.

Later, I started selling garri. People began to know me for it, but again, challenges came up, and I had to stop.

Then COVID came.

The world shut down, but I saw an opportunity to grow.

I decided to sharpen my craft skills because I already knew a little about paper craft. From there, I gathered children online, and we began learning and creating together.

That season opened my eyes.

I started learning more things online. I volunteered to train in different organisations without charging a fee. Sometimes, I met other trainers, and while working with them, I also learned from them.

Every experience was preparing me for something bigger.

Today, I run vocational training programmes for pre-teens and teenagers, something I have been doing for the past few years.

And when I look back, I understand something very clearly:

Nothing I did was wasted.

Every business I tried taught me something. Every skill I learned added value to me. Every challenge opened my eyes to another possibility. Even the things I stopped doing became part of the journey that prepared me for what I am doing today.

People used to say I was doing all sorts of things. Some even used it to mock or criticise me.

But today, some of those same people say:

"You are not an idle person."

And I smile because I know my journey.

I am here to tell someone today:

You cannot afford to be idle.

Get busy.

Learn something.

Volunteer.

Try something.

Start small.

Get your hands dirty.

Don't be ashamed of beginning again.

Don't allow people's opinions to stop you from discovering yourself.

You may not understand why you are doing certain things today, but one day, you will look back and realise that every experience was adding something to you.

Keep working. Keep learning. Keep growing.

One day, the very things people questioned about you may become the evidence of your resilience.

You will get there.