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From Stigma to Support: Youth Mental Health Transformation

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From Stigma to Support Transforming the Landscape of Youth Mental Health

Conversations on mental health remain shrouded in silence because the majority do not seek help owing to stigma, a lack of understanding, and insufficient access to services. This article aims to shed light on the significance of mental health among youth, explore the barriers to achieving a stigma-free conversation, and offer insights into how education, support, and open dialogue can transform the landscape of mental health for the better. Recent figures present a worrying picture; according to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 20% of young people worldwide have a mental health disorder, while one in four Nigerians is estimated to be living with a mental disorder. The mental health landscape among Nigerian youth, characterized by an increasingly intricate array of challenges, is underscored by escalating rates of anger, anxiety, panic attacks, stress, and other mental health conditions among young individuals. This spectrum encompasses other disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, anorexia, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), borderline personality disorder (BPD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), paranoia, and issues related to personality disorders, among others. The implications of these mental health problems are profound, extending beyond the affected individuals to impact their families, communities, and the broader societal fabric. A confluence of contemporary causes, reflecting both global trends and context-specific variables, are leading factors in the prevalence of mental health disorders among Nigerian youth. Several are listed below: Economic Instability and Unemployment: High unemployment and poverty levels lead to stress and depression due to financial pressures. Educational Pressures: Intense competition among students and limited educational resources cause stress and anxiety among students. Social and Cultural Expectations: Cultural norms and societal pressures regarding marriage, career, and gender roles induce stress and feelings of inadequacy. Political and Social Instability: Fear and anxiety stem from safety concerns, political unrest, and social violence. Health Challenges: Diseases and limited healthcare access exacerbate mental health problems. Substance Abuse: Increased use of psychoactive substances results in substance use disorders and mental health issues. Family Issues and Domestic Violence: Instability and violence in the home environment lead to psychological distress. Social Media and Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying and the pressure from social media contribute to self-esteem issues and mental disorders. Stigmatization and Lack of Awareness: Stigma and insufficient understanding of mental health prevent young people from seeking help, exacerbating mental health conditions. Understanding and addressing the stigma around youth mental health is pivotal in encouraging young individuals to seek help. This stigma, deeply entrenched in cultural and societal norms, manifests as misconceptions, fear, and silence, leaving youths feeling isolated or ashamed. The consequences of the stigma are significant, deterring individuals from accessing necessary care, which can worsen mental well-being and negatively impact academic performance, social relationships, and overall life quality. Moreover, the importance of awareness and education in mental health plays a critical role in combatting this issue. Initiatives aimed at increasing awareness and normalizing mental health conversations can diminish stigma and encourage help-seeking behaviours. Education, particularly when integrated into school curriculums, equips students’ understanding of mental health complexities and fosters empathy, promoting a supportive environment. This combination of demystifying mental health issues, challenging stereotypes, and incorporating mental health education in schools, along with public awareness campaigns, is essential for dismantling barriers and changing the stigma landscape, enabling young people to freely discuss their experiences and seek the necessary support to overcome their challenges. Addressing the mental health crisis among youth requires a holistic approach that encompasses raising awareness, enhancing education, and ensuring access to support tools and resources. It also involves advocating for systemic changes and promoting both personal and collective responsibility towards mental health. Ensuring youth have access to information and tangible services, such as hotlines, counselling, mental health apps, and safe spaces for sharing and support in both online and community settings, is crucial. These resources should be widely promoted in youth-centric venues like schools, social media, and community centres to enhance accessibility and awareness. At the policy and societal levels, advocacy for increased funding, better access to mental health services, and the integration of mental health education into school curriculums are critical. Efforts must be made to challenge media narratives to ensure positive and accurate representations of mental health. This includes implementing workplace policies that support work-life balance, such as flexible work arrangements and mental health days, which demonstrate a societal commitment to prioritizing mental health. Conclusion Tackling the youth mental health crisis demands salient strategies encompassing awareness, education, resource accessibility, policy advocacy, and a supportive culture via individual and community efforts. By collectively addressing stigma and fostering an open, supportive environment, we can pave the way for a future where mental health is openly discussed and prioritized. This commitment to change and mutual support is essential for enabling everyone to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Let’s all be part of the solution in our journey towards improved mental health. ALSO READ: From Hobbies to Personal Effectiveness

The Secret to Having An Improved Quality Life

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The Secret to Having An Improved Quality Life

Quality life occurs as a result of the small decisions we make for ourselves every day. The secret to having a perfect day is knowing that it starts the night before. Usually, a perfect day translates to a productive day, right? Ticking tasks off your to-do lists and revelling in the satisfaction that comes with it. Below are things you can do to improve the quality of your life daily: Do away with your phone 30 minutes before you sleep. I know we can’t tell when we fall asleep but hear me out. You might have fixed your sleep time to 10 pm. So by 9:30 pm, ensure your phone isn’t in your hand. Silence it too so you won’t be tempted by notification pings. Even if you don’t have a fixed bedtime, your body will tell you it’s tired, it needs rest and that’s what you’ll work with. When you’re on your bed, try to recount how you spent your day, what you did well, what you need to improve on, and so on. When you wake up in the morning, DON’T TAKE YOUR PHONE IMMEDIATELY! I had to yell that, I’m sorry. Instead, grab a notepad and your pen, write down all the things you hope to accomplish, and time-box them. Here are examples of what that should look like; Pray – 6:00 am Brush my teeth immediately after praying Change into my exercise clothes immediately after brushing my teeth and do 20 jumping jacks Breakfast Wash my toilet Check my mail – 4:00 pm Zoom meeting – 5:30 pm If at any point I feel idle and catch myself about to start/scrolling through my phone with no purpose, here are things I can do: Open the Udemy app and catch up on my online course Write a linked-in article Send cold emails Tidy up my room Fold my laundry I hope I’ve been able to encourage you from what I’ve written so far to start keeping a to-do list. But when you’re writing it, keep these things in mind; Make your goals clear and specific. You can add extra columns to yours; “What? Why? When?” like in the example below ???? WHAT? WHY? WHEN? ·       Read economics note ·       Because I have a test next week ·       As soon as I wake up from my nap ·       Tidy my room ·       Because I feel happier when my space is clean ·       At 10:30 am ·       Call my mum ·       Because it makes her happy ·       At 5 pm   Be realistic with your time and effort. If you write 20 tasks and each of them will take 2 hours on average, not only is it impossible for you to finish it, but you might also feel overwhelmed and disappointed with yourself when you see there are still lots of things you haven’t done. Nothing is too silly to be on your list. This is about you, no one else. It’d be more effective if you write it on a piece of paper and pin it on the wall in a central location. this way, whenever you pass by it, you review it. Mark the ones that have been done, and note the remaining ones. Lastly, if you’re a believer, you must engage in an act called ‘Shukr’. Shukr means ‘Thanks’. It’s just acknowledging your helplessness and giving full credit to God for the gift of life and making it easy for you to achieve all you’ve accomplished. Then pray for Him to make you consistent and bless you in it. READ ALSO: 10 Habits That Will Change Your Life Positively WHEW! That was a lot, but I hope you get the idea. Everything boils down to discipline and self-awareness. Most times, our phones are nothing but a mere distraction and source of anxiety so if we can all learn to detach our souls from it, there would certainly be great improvement in the quality of life.

Climate Change In Nigeria And Its Remarkable Impact In Agriculture

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CLIMATE CHANGE IN NIGERIA AND ITS REMARKABLE IMPACT IN AGRICULTURE

Globally, climate change has impacted the world in remarkable ways from global warming to drastic changes in weather conditions, natural disasters to say but a few.In this article our focus will be on climate change in Nigeria and its remarkable impact in Agriculture i.e.; how it has adversely affected agricultural production. Climate change is defined by World Bank as the significant variation of average weather conditions becoming for example warmer, wetter or drier- over several decades or longer. United Nations refers to it as the long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. According to Price Water Coopers (PWC), Nigeria became committed to the Climate Change Crusade after attending the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) which took place between 31st October to 13th November 2021 in Glasgow; committing to achieving net-zero by 2060. Her government after the COP26 signed into law the Climate Change Act, 2021 which was passed by the National Assembly in October 2021. The purpose of the law is to develop and implement mechanisms that will foster low carbon emission and develop a sustainable environment in the country. Pre-Climate Change Act, 2011, unregulated activates such as gas flaring, bush burning, carbon monoxide emission, etc. from refineries, rigs, farming activities, exhaust of cars and burning tyres in abattoirs has depleted the ozone layer significantly. As a result we experience changes in weather conditions (hotter or wetter, etc.) which in the long run affected agriculture negatively. Nigeria has two seasons: rainy and dry season. Before the adverse implication of climate changes, rainy season begins from April – September with July being the peak of the rains and a two week August break and Dry season starting from October to March. Coastal areas usually experience shorter dry seasons and longer rainy season and vice versa for desert areas. Today however, climate change has altered the seasons remarkably. More recently we don’t see rains sometimes till May and April is the peak of the heat; the peak of the rains now is August with the breaks now in September. CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE Climate Change can be caused by either natural or human factors. The activities of man most especially during the industrial revolution has released large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere which has in turn caused global warming in our world. These causes include: Green House Gases emission: Examples are Carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. These greenhouse gas has increased the greenhouse effect and caused the earth’s surface temperature to rise. Carbon dioxide (CO2): Apart from humans exhaling carbon dioxide, man’s activities like burning coal, oil or natural gas has led to CO2 emission. Reflectivity or Absorption of the Sun’s Energy: This is caused by activities such as agriculture, road construction, deforestation and emissions of small particles (aerosol) into the air. The Earth changing its orbit and rotation. Solar activity variations. Volcanic Eruptions: This can throw Sulphur dioxide (SO2) into the atmosphere. Changes in the ocean’s current. CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS REMARKABLE IMPACT IN AGRICULTURE In Nigeria, the climate change has led to several harmful effects which in turn has affected agricultural production and these effects include: Increase in heat – related mortality, dehydration, and spread of infectious diseases (meningitis). Rising Ocean current, sea levels, fluctuating rainfall has resulted in flooding mostly in the coastal regions in Nigeria. Cancer of the skin as a result of the harsh weather conditions. Hunger, starvation and death as a result of food shortage. Climate change is a threat to Nigerian Food Security because of the unpredictable length and onset of the farming season which has in turn affecting both subsistence and commercial farmers. Nigeria still practices rain fed agriculture. Rain Fed Agriculture is a practice where farmers depend on weather conditions to begin the onset of farming. As a result of this practice, it has rendered her vulnerable to the adverse effect of climate change which includes, soil degradation which resulted in low crop yields. Rain fed Agriculture practice in Nigeria make farmers wait for the rains before the onset of farming and this in turn has led to shortage in food supply, hunger, inflation, pest infestation to mention but a few. Deforestation activities has increased erosion most especially in sloppy areas, leading to depletion in the soil’s nutrients and in turn causing poor farm yield. Climate change causes (greenhouse gases, Sulphur dioxide, etc.) has deposited unhealthy substances in our soil which in turn has caused the underwater layer to be polluted and then resulting in poor agricultural yields. Flooding one of the effects of climate change has made farmers to lose their farm produce which has led to pollution, pest and insect infestation, hunger, starvation and death. With conscious efforts from our government to implement the net-zero by 2060 and the adoption of best practices to reduce the effect of climate change and its remarkable impact in Agriculture, Nigeria can become a giant of Africa in all ramification. Also read: WORK HABITS AND ITS AMAZING EFFECT ON THE HEALTH OF THE EYES. https://thereadywriters.uk/work-habits-health-of-the-eyes/

Work Habits and Its Amazing Effect On the Health Of the Eyes 1

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WORK HABITS AND ITS EFFECT ON THE HEALTH OF THE EYES

In this article our focus will be on how our work habits can affect the health of the eyes in amazing ways and how we can manage our screen time be it computer, phones or television. The eyes is one of the five sense organs which works with our brain to tell us the size, shape, color and texture of an object; in other words it allows us to see our environment. The eyes’ anatomy is made up of several parts (Iris, Pupil, muscles, conjunctiva, Cornea, Lenses, Retina, Optical nerve, etc.) which works together to help us see clearly. Sometimes, we can inherit defects (short nearsightedness, long farsightedness, etc.) from our parents. Over time, age or our lifestyle can also make our eyes deteriorate faster. How can work habit affect the eyes? Work habits can affect the eyes in the following ways: It could lead to computer Vision syndrome (digital eye strain). This eye problem is caused by prolonged use of computer and it has symptoms such as eye irritation, blurred vision, headaches, backaches, neck aches, muscle fatigue, etc. Computer Vision Syndrome is becoming a prevalent issue among the working class. Most especially those whom their work involves long/constant screen time. Computer Vision syndrome is not known to have permanent damage on the eyes but the symptoms can be very discomforting. Photo sensitivity – The constant exposure to ultraviolet rays from computer screen in the long run causes one to be very sensitive to light rays, sunlight inclusive. It can make one’s eyeballs elongated. As the pressure of the eyes increases as a result of long screen time, the eye balls gradually become elongated altering its shape. How to Manage our Screen time durind work? To ensure our eye health do not deteriorate significantly it is very important to manage our screen time properly. Some solutions to these environmental causes include: Adjust your computer: Move the computer screen 20 to 28 inches from the eyes or just beyond the arm’s length to improve the comfort of the eyes. Blink Frequently – This helps the eyes from drying out. According to a research by the University of Iowa, we blink 66 percent less while on a computer. Take regular screen breaks to rest the eyes. Reducing glare and harsh reflections on the computer screen by modifying the lighting in the room, closing window shades, changing the contrast or brightness of the screen, or attaching a filter or hood to the monitor. Use the right glasses: It’s important to get glasses needed for viewing digital screens. If you use glasses, always check for time to time that the prescription of your lenses is not weak. Blue ray glasses helps to reduce the radiation from the screen from penetrating the eyes. Adjust your posture: Sit up straight, keep your shoulders relaxed, and use a chair with the right height and good back support. Take regular breaks: This one can do by practicing the following Follow the 20-20-20 rule i.e. look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes; learn to blink constantly when you can not help but sit. Rest for 15 minutes after every 2 hours of continuous screen use and Do non-screen tasks: Rather than read e-book, get hard copy books, play cheese, scrabble and other activities that will not involve looking at screens (computers, tablets, phones, etc. Use eye drops to reduce dry eye symptoms. Poor eyes can lead to decreased work efficiency and huge loss of productivity. So it is important that we care for our eye health and ensure we regularly (at least once a year) go for proper eye checkup apart from practicing the above screen time management techniques so our eyes can remain healthy.

The Beauty of Writing

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Writing is an art. Maybe not the conventional type of art that we know like drawing or painting, but it is an art. Just like a painter mixes colours together on a drawing board to bring out a design, a writer puts words together to form something beautiful. But to be honest, not everybody writes a beautiful piece, and not everybody writes in a way that will excite your emotions. It’s just the same way anyone can learn the basics of drawing but not everyone will do a drawing that will make it to a museum or be auctioned for a really good sum. There is something beautiful in putting words together to make sense to you or your readers. Have you ever been at a wedding and seen two people exchanging their vows and reading their promises to each other? It is always beautiful to witness them bare their hearts to each other. Sometimes they cry, other times you as the guest who knows nothing about their love story cry with them. That is because the words were beautiful, and they were beautifully put together. This same experience can also be felt when you read certain poems. Some people are gifted in the art of writing poems and when they put those words together and arrange them in stanzas, you’ll be swept off your feet. There is something about words that brings colour to life. And when these words are mixed with emotions it deepens the effect. However, you must also note that in as much as writing can be beautiful, it can also be hurtful and can cause irrevocable damage. Here are things you need to keep in mind to make your writing beautiful. 1. Emotion Emotion plays a very vital role in making your writing beautiful. Have you ever compared a piece of writing written with emotion to one written without emotion? The difference is clear. The one with emotions would always make sense to you and stand out because someone is baring their heart. Someone is writing soulfully to you – even if the writing is a lie. Words carry power, either written or spoken. 2. Think about who you are writing for This also springs from emotions. When you think about your readers when writing, you’ll write in a way that will communicate directly to them and make them see your point. The writing will be personal to them, and your readers might even believe that you are talking to them directly. 3. Share personal experiences There are times when people read a book and it makes them eager to know what inspired you, the writer, or what was going through your mind as you wrote. When you share your personal experience in any area that relates to what you are writing about, people hold it dear to their hearts and they term the book as a beautiful book.   4. Write what people can relate to Another way to see the beauty in writing is to write what people can easily relate to. That way it is easy for them to have a close connection with the book. You can take this a step further by providing solutions to any life problems that you might have raised in the story. That way, the book would remain dear to your readers’ hearts. In summary, writing is an art and can be beautiful, but it will take some effort and deliberateness to write a book that people would consider beautiful. Let your writing meet people’s needs at different points in time and the work will become dear to them.   Olamide Omolawal is an avid research enthusiast with interest in creative and content writing.

Which is Easier; Writing or Speaking?

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WHICH IS EASIER, WRITING OR SPEAKING? Just like I mentioned in my last article, different people have different opinions as regards speaking and writing and different people have different preferences as to which is easier. Today, we would look at it together, and then you would be allowed to comment on which you think is easier from your own end. Before I start, I need to tell you that despite the differences between writing and speaking, they still have some similarities and the same rules guiding them. They run by the rules of semantics and syntax, and they both use languages to express their feelings. Skipping introductions, I will go straight to tell you that writing simply involves putting words down. And these words can be for different purposes, but the end result is so they can be read. Writing involves putting nice words together to give a good read, but that is not all. It is not enough to put words together or write down your thoughts. You have to make those thoughts make sense because they are your thoughts and you have the back story behind them. Anyone picking your writing should be able to read it with the same or almost the same intentions you had when you were writing. Meaning, appropriate pauses, right emotions, right tone of voice and the other things that are communicated while writing. This is where writing becomes a bit difficult. You may not be the one doing all the talking, but your writing must make it possible for the person talking to deliver it properly. When it comes to speaking, it is a different ball game entirely, and you are allowed to be as dramatic as you want, to vary your words and the tone of your voice, to use your whole body to communicate. But you still have the responsibility of doing a good job because people are watching you. You don’t have the luxury of hiding behind the letters in a paper like a writer. For some people, working up the right emotions to speak is not easy. All they want to do is speak and go. But speaking blandly causes the real intent of a book or a speech to be lost as the people cannot follow through. I will give the example of reading a story to children. One thing that keeps the children excited to the end is the way the story is being read. Some of the people that read to children are usually very dramatic, and they make different hand and facial gestures so the children can follow and be properly involved. But in order for the reader to be that dramatic, the writer must have done a very good job of putting the appropriate punctuation and all other necessary things in place. Another advantage that a speaker enjoys is being able to make eye contact with his audience which is impossible for a writer. The only way it can be possible for the speaker to have eye contact is if the writer has done a fantastic job of writing that the audience could not help but follow till the end. A speaker also has the advantage of talking in a multidimensional manner rather than a writer who just writes in one direction. And a speaker enjoys the privilege of getting responses and reaction from his listeners. In as much as speaking has its own advantages, it also has some disadvantages like stage fright, bad pronunciation on the part of the reader, speaking colloquially in a formal setting, too much mannerism and excessive repetition. These differences can go on and on, but some people are still better suited for one of the two while some are comfortable doing the two. Some people would rather work hard at writing to make it make sense rather than being at the forefront of speaking or working up emotions as they speak. Same goes in the other direction, some would rather be out there speaking, gesticulating, making people keep their eyes on them rather than being the brains behind the written text and struggling with putting words together for it to make sense. I must also add that mistakes can be permitted when speaking. You can always apologize and rephrase your statement. But when writing, it is almost impossible to correct your mistake once your work has gone out. Hence the extra work of rereading and proofreading to produce the best. These are not all the different things to note about writing and speaking. There are more things to consider but I believe that you have the basic idea from this write up. Therefore, I would love to know your opinion and what you think about these two subjects. Feel free to comment in the comment section on which you prefer. Speaking or writing. And state your reason for your choice. Thank you!   “Olamide Omolawal is an avid research enthusiast with interest in creative and content writings”      

Some Hard Truths About Writing

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Writing is not hard, especially if you have a good command of the English language, or whatever language you are writing in. And many people have always said that writing is way easier than speaking because all you have to do is write, and not bother about the pitch, the tone or the emotions your voice is trying to portray. This may or may not be true, depending on the perspective you are looking at it from, but it will be a discussion for another day. Whether writing is simple or not, there are some truths that are very important for you to know. Whether you are a long-time writer or just a prospect, you still need to know these truths because they will guide you and help you become a better author. Some Hard Truths You Need to Know About Writing 1. You will always have critics. When it comes to writing, you can never please everybody. Someone would always have a different opinion or a negative thing to say about your writing no matter how hard you work on it. Not everyone would agree with what you have written or the method you use to write. Be okay with that. Just do your part and write without errors. Write with correct and well-researched facts. Then leave the rest to the critics. 2. There are times when you will have to rewrite your work multiple times. This might sound hard, but it is the truth. When writing, sometimes you might think that you are on the right track, then along the line you will find out that you have gone away from your line of thoughts, or that what you are writing does not seem to make sense. Then you will have to start all over again. When you are at this point, it is better to start all over again than to patch things up and just edit. It might not turn out well in the long run. 3. Your writing can always be better. No matter how many years you have been writing or the kind of experience you think you might have gained, your writing can always be better. You have to keep learning different ways to make your writing better. Even if you have a bestseller or you have won numerous awards, you still have to keep learning and keep getting better. There is always something new to learn. 4. Not all your ideas would see the light of day. You need to know that not all the ideas you have about your book would see the light of day. Your manuscript might be entirely rejected, or you might have to edit and rework some parts of it. You have to be okay with that and work around it rather than feeling bad and perhaps thinking you are not good enough. 5. Writing is not just about you. This might sound strange because you are the one doing the writing. The book was your idea. The title was your idea. And your name was written on it. But it is not all about you. It is about your readers, the people you are writing for. They have to be able to enjoy the book, learn from it and love it. This means that you must consider your audience when you are writing. Final note One thing that can help you deal with these hard truths is imagining that you are writing a book to people outside your region, outside your culture, people entirely different from you. When you have this at the back of your mind, you will be able to work around your ideas and books to make them suitable for everyone and anyone to read. Olamide Omolawal is an avid research enthusiast with interest in creative and content writing.  

5 Qualities Women Love about Men

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I’m sure you would love to know the qualities women love about men, the qualities that spice up relationships. Are you planning to start a relationship or are you on the verge of marrying your heartthrob? Then, as you advance in your prospect, you need to read this. Without a doubt, women generally love men who treat them with dignity and respect. There are non-negotiable qualities women love that men must possess. Aside from a man’s physical appearance, which is a plus, one of the most essential features a lady notices about a man is his character. Here are five qualities that women admire in men. 1. Funny and Intelligent Women are typically more drawn to men who can make them laugh. Men who have a good sense of humour are more attractive than men who are uninteresting in conversation. To women, being funny is an indicator of intelligence, and is essential for attracting a woman’s attention. Make her laugh and avoid being overly serious about seeing how attracted she would be to you. This lightens the atmosphere around them and makes them cool with you. 2. Care and Empathy Women are attracted to men who have the ability and desire to care for others. When it comes to attracting women, a man who is caring and empathetic has an advantage. If you’re looking for a long-term relationship, research has shown that women prefer men who are generous and selfless to men who lack these qualities. Women stay in relationships because they believe that someone somewhere will go all out and have their back at any time. Men who go all out and are genuinely kind are very appealing to women. 3. Trustworthiness and Integrity You remember when I mentioned character the other time? Here it is. Women prefer men who are trustworthy and have integrity. This is like your signature. Integrity entails acting virtuously and having a strong moral character. This key quality is what holds a relationship together and makes it work. Women want to know if you are honest and fair in all your dealings. They don’t want someone who will cheat and lie to them. This is a quality that every man must have. Make sure you don’t hide your flaws; they will show up if you keep hiding them under your sleeves! Be plain and sincere, this will be your badge of honour. 4. Financially Stable One thing a woman wants to know is if you’re financially stable. She desires to see if you can take care of her. Additionally, your financial stability will give her rest of mind when you bring up the issue of raising a family with her. 5. Plan a future with Her Women want men that are not just into a short-term relationship. If you meet her friends and family, know what she likes and talk about the future, she will like you greatly. All these and more are things you should watch out for. Ladies are very sensitive and emotional beings. You can’t afford to be bland and insensitive to their needs. Be light-hearted, caring, trustworthy, and stable financially and plan a future with her. The list is endless, but here are 5 qualities to start with. Maxwell Orah

Your Journey to Becoming a Writer

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The journey to becoming a writer starts from you and only you. Not just from the moment you had the idea or when you came up with what you want to write, but the moment you actually see yourself as a writer and begin to write. There were certain times in our lives, especially the women-folk, when we would pick up a journal or a diary and then begin to write out our daily experiences or the most exciting thing or depressing thing that happened to us each day. In as much as those diaries or journals had a lot of interesting content, they did not make us writers because we were writing them to ourselves or as a means of remembering past occurrences. Writing is Deliberate When it comes to writing, it is more deliberate. You might be writing from your personal experiences or even how you currently feel. But it starts by you making the choice to start writing. You cannot consider yourself a driver if you know all the theory about driving and can even explain it to others, but without having driven before. All you do is have the knowledge. In the same vein, having some good content doesn’t necessarily make you a writer. Make a Conscious Choice to Be a Writer When starting this journey, you would have to make your choice first, whether or not you have the content. One of the major things making that choice does for you is that it changes your perspective about yourself. It helps you to see that you have become a writer, and that you have something inside of you for the world. That way, you would become more deliberate about giving answers in your writing. Another thing this choice helps you to do is to help you stay focused on your path as a writer. There are times that writing would be so difficult that writing a sentence or phrasing a sentence properly can take time. But with the choice you’ve made, you are able to hang on until you come out with the right content. The choice helps you to stay on track, rather than give up. Start Writing After making the choice, then you can actually start writing. There is no one way to write a book. You can start from the topic or even the end, or you can write the book and give it a befitting topic. The choice is yours. The only thing you need to do is to actually write the book. Once you start, you might be faced with the challenge of what to write. Once that challenge comes, ask yourself what you want to achieve with your writing. Do you just want to be one of those writers, or do you want your writing to help people? That depends on you. Here is a list of writing prompts. Interestingly enough, you can even write from some of the journals that you kept while you were a teenager. You will be surprised at the level of wisdom that came out of you in handling situations or the level of drama in your life at that age. WRITING TIP One thing that can help you in writing is to have a summary of the things you want to write. Then you can build around it and make it more compact. And at other times, just start writing until you reach a point where possibilities come into what you are writing. At that point, you would have to make the choice of what you want your book to look like. Conclusion Let me end with this. When starting your writing journey, the first thing to do is to make up your mind that you are a writer and let that sink in. From there, what steps you take is up to you. Sometimes your writing journey goes with your personality. Such that if you are an organized person, you might want to have a step-by-step or chapter-by-chapter analysis of what you want your book to look like. If you are used to doing things without rigid planning, then you might also want to write that way. Whatever the case may be, or whatever your personality may be, make the choice and get to work. And always remember that people are counting on you, your book, your experiences or even your current life to get their answers. Be sure to give them the best content. Olamide Omolawal is an avid research enthusiast with interest in creative and content writings  

Why Publishers Are Not Hard to Find

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Contrary to popular opinion, publishers are not hard to find. Or better put, good publishers are not hard to find. They are in strategic places but are very selective about the kind of books they choose to publish. Writers and publishers move in the same line of business, but what they do is very different. A writer has certain advantages more than a publisher in some regard. A writer can always use a pen name. That means that a writer can choose to use someone else’s name rather than their own when they are writing. This happens for many reasons. To protect their identity, to avoid being in the spotlight, and for some to just test the waters. Such that if the book does not turn out well, no one knows they are responsible for it. A book can be written by a ghostwriter. When an author decides to use a ghostwriter for his book, that way he is not the one completely behind the telling of the story but the honour goes to him. A publisher does not have some of these advantages. Usually they are known for the kind of books they publish and once something bad comes out from them, then it begins to tarnish their image and reduce the number of authors that come to them. From the title of this write-up, publishers are not hard to find in that they are scarce, they are hard to find because many authors have refused to do the needful. Hence, their works don’t get published. Many times, when writers write a book, they usually look for the most popular publisher so that their work would gain relevance through its publishing. This is a very good way to give their work presence but it requires a little bit of effort. To this end, I will be explaining a few reasons why publishers can be hard to find. They love to protect the integrity of their work. In as much as publishers are looking forward to making more sales, or getting new customers per day, they are not looking forward to having their works ruined by a potential customer. Your book has to make sense. It has to be something that people can buy. If not, it would be rejected. One of the joys associated with a publisher’s work is that people are buying. The more people buy, the more copies they get to print, the more money flows into their hands. But when a book does not sell, it is bad business for them, and they tend to avoid it at all costs. They hate having to go through editing. Sometimes, many of the publishers out there have become too busy, or too big to go through the process of editing your work for you. As a writer, the honour is on you to write a hitch-free book as much as possible. Let your book go through editors before sending it to the publishers. That way, if your work is read, it can be published in a little while. Some of them have carved a niche for themselves. There are times when certain publishers would have decided they are only going to publish books in a certain direction. For example, comics, academic books, thrillers, etc. Those publishers would have made their choice and they usually stick to it. Sometimes, they might be the most popular publishers, and you, as a writer, are looking forward to launching yourself into public consciousness but may not be able to because your manuscript is not from the publisher’s most preferred niche. Conclusion One of the things that can help you get your work published as a writer is proper research. Before writing or while you are still writing, look out for possible publishers and select the ones you would like to work with. Then you can go ahead to get their list of requirements so you could adjust appropriately. There are times that the requirements may not match your envisioned desire for your book. Move on to the next publisher, rather than compromising so as to publish your book. If you decide to compromise, you would not be happy with the book. Just carry out proper research and refuse to give up.   Olamide Omolawal is an avid research enthusiast with interest in creative and content writing.