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Unavoidable Stress 

Olasunkanmi Arowolo

Researcher, Lecturer, Coach, and Mentor in Journalism.

I’m not just worn out but also stressed, tired, and unable to even think. This has been my reality for the past two weeks. When I say I’m unable to think, I’m specifically referring to the particular work I had planned. I just wasn’t in the right headspace for it. Every time I tried to focus, other pressing family needs kept pulling my attention away. By the time everyone else was asleep—well, I did mention earlier that I stay at home, looking after the kids—I just wanted to rest. You know how it is; after everything, even when the house is quiet, you crave some time for yourself. But functioning at your best during those late hours can be tough. That’s been my experience. It’s been hard. I kept thinking, time is ticking, it’s ticking away, and I need to get this done. Otherwise, it’s going to become a real pain.