Mental preparation is 80% of the job done.

I used to be a solid introvert and then there was this quick switch and the sanguine in me came to full bloom. Covid happened and I relished again how much I love being by myself. I used to think the ambivert crowd were confused now i get it.

However, throughout my sojourn across the personality spectrum, a few things remained constant (which is why I’ll still argue I’ve always an been an introvert but this is not that kind of story). One of which is: I’m not a fan of spontaneity. I could make concessions if the company is bomb but by and large, if I get that good length notice, you’ll not only get the best of me but I’ll love you for it.

Now what happens within that notice period? I’ll explain with a story.

I traveled to Uyo for the Easter holiday. I hadn’t seen my family for so long cos of covid. Now, I had purchased a ticket from an airline the previous Easter break but “C" happened so I had to put it on hold. When I was finally ready to travel, the airline did not have any flights going to Uyo anymore. So, I thought about the next best thing; take a flight to the beautiful city of Calabar and then travel by road to Uyo.

Which is like easy breezy right? I mean, I schooled in Calabar so I have a rough idea what the distance to Uyo is like; 1hr 30mins tops and I’m home and dry. Orrr so I thought.

So the day of the trip came. I got to Calabar by air and everything went AS PLANNED until i started off to Uyo from Calabar by road. “Insert every expletive you can get away with”. I wasn’t ready. Did I forget I was in Nigeria? I never imagined that a 1hr 30mins trip (at the very worst) could turn into 5hrs of nightmare.

First off the bus service (which is supposed to be like the best you can find in the area) was congested, rickety, had no air conditioning in a very hot and sweaty April.

I was sat at the worst possible seat on the bus, and this guy behind me was chatting for the whole length of the trip in such a loud tone. It was weird. It was bad. I might have seen red. Annnnd that wasn’t all.

The road was an utter mess. We spent about 2hrs on this stretch that was just so broken down and dusty. There wasn’t any network coverage in the area so I could not even get some tik tok entertainment to take my mind off of my surrounding and Uncle behind me was quaking with laughter talking about the national assembly as though he was having a bush meat and plamwine soireé with the entire bus, I couldnt read the novel I had with me. I was miserable. At some point the driver stopped and everyone got out to stretch their legs but being who I was, I couldn’t bear to give the nightmare a break, I just sat there willing it to end.

Bruh. Needless to say I got to uyo as grumpy as a bear and my dear mum felt so bad. Oh dear. It was just bad. A friend called me later in the day and I just kept saying “I wasn’t ready and that’s why it felt that hellish”. If I just had an idea, if and only if I had an incline of what I was up for, they (Nigeria, the bus, the bad road, all my enemies) wouldn’t have caught me slipping.

Nevertheless, I had an utterly amazing time with my fam-bam, much needed rest was taken and trust my mum to throw down the yummiest local delicacies which were thoroughly enjoy with added KG to show for it.

Then it was time to head back. You guessed right! The girl was ready.

Pray that that ugly experience never happens again ✅

Charged Headphones ✅

Charged Phone ✅

Download funny stuff✅

Book✅

Wake up on time ✅

Comfy clothes and shoes ✅

Sunglasses/mask/facecap✅

Go early an secure the best spot✅

Liquids ✅

Good Ladies and gents I was ready. It was like a breeze. My mind’s threshold had expanded to take all the bull. And there wasn’t even any bull save for the bad road. So it seemed like a twirl. Lol.

I conquered everything in my mind and walked into that airport like I just rolled out of bed, blowing air kisses and doing the queen wave (maybe not😅).

That’s how best I’ll explain it. The battle is half won in the mind. Once you can conquer the challenge in your mind, you’ve grown in your capacity to take on the elements. It wasn’t the journey. Tbh I didn’t do anything different during the journey. I just had a different mindset towards it and hence prepared differently as opposed to the old me who just dived in head first.

I don’t know about you but this experience thought me a vital lesson I’m taking on to every other aspect of my life. I’m glad I went through that cos nobody is catching me unfresh at the airport or in life. Ever.😂

Ever had an experience you weren’t ready for? How did it go? pls share in the comments.

T for Thanks.