As adults, we make decisions all the time, mostly to guide us through life's journey. But every now and then, one or two choices end up shifting the entire trajectory of our lives or even the way we think about ourselves.
Sometime last year, in December 2024, I returned home after graduating from the university. While everyone was busy with the Christmas celebrations, I was lost in thoughts about what 2025 would look like for me. I had many plans, both academic and non-academic, and choosing which ones to pursue put me in a difficult place. But one decision stood out as the hardest to make, and choosing it has completely changed something in my life.
Usually, when you graduate from a health course in the allied medical sciences, you are expected to begin a compulsory one-year paid internship at an accredited hospital or health organization of your choice. It is the only route to getting your permanent license to practice across the country. I knew it wasn’t something I could decline for too long, and I needed the experience as well. But I also had personal questions. I needed to sit with myself to think and decide on the "When" and "Where."
Before this period, I was battling a deep internal conflict. My university years were far from smooth, particularly because I had lost a few of my friends and the poor educational system didn't make grieving any easier. I was expected to show up and prioritize my studies over my other personal needs. This caused my mental health to deteriorate badly. So that December, I knew I had to make a firm decision for myself and I eventually did.
I chose to spend one full year(2025) at home, tending to myself and my needs. In fact, my vision was to just "BE." And even though I come from a place where people still struggle to see why mental health should be prioritized, I refused to let that discourage me. I ignored the constant questions of “What next after graduation?” and “Why are you still at home when your mates are already interning at the hospital?” I didn't let those words deter me because I believed a less demanding 2025 was what I needed to regain my strength for life.
It has now been eleven months since I made that decision, and it has turned out to be the best one. It has changed the way I process lessons from life, how I work, how I take care of myself and show up for the other people in my life. I also picked up skills like painting, digital illustration, and virtual administrative assistance. I recently completed a class on Web3 basics, and I know I would not have achieved any of these if I had rushed into my internship this year.
The best part has been the improvement in my mental health. I have felt less anxious this year, and I have shed far fewer tears over things beyond my control. I also began writing again on Hive after three years of producing zero words and this means so much to me. Generally, I've had the time to focus on my personal well-being and share parts of myself with the people who love me. These might seem like small changes, but a year ago my life looked nothing like this. I was struggling. But now, I see progress everywhere around me, and I'm truly grateful for all of it.
Most importantly, I've realized that the decisions that change your life will not always come from a comfortable place. Sometimes they will demand courage and a level of discomfort that feels overwhelming at first. But they will end up being the choices that will lead you into a better version of yourself. If you're reading this, I genuinely hope that you find the courage to take that hard decision you've been putting off because you never know which one of them will change something in your life.
This blog post is a response to the Ladies of Hive weekly prompt:
What's one big decision you made recently that changed something in your life?
All photos featured in this post are mine. When they're not, I make sure to credit the source.
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Wes & Grindan
