Image Source edited with canva
Depression is a group of conditions associated with the elevation or lowering of a persons mood. Note the word: "GROUP OF CONDITIONS"
It may also be described as feelings of sadness, loss, or anger that interfere with a person’s everyday activities. Here
People experience depression in different ways. Sad and upsetting events happen to everyone. Now that you've read to this point, can I shock you? There's something called money induced depression. Google it!
Psychologists agree that one contributing factor that is likely to increase your risk of depression is your personal finance. Here
This right here I'm talking about have the power to reduce one's productivity and as well as one's career in life. Are you surprised why some people are quitting poetry? That being said, how does this money induced depression affect writers? Majority of small writers trying to discover or build themselves is based on the web2 space and mostly are students. Go to University of ibadan, you'll see quite a number of them. Go to Calabar, Uyo, Awka, Aba, you'll find them. Most of them are still studying.
Now, these students out of passion for writing, or probably the talent factor come online and post their beautiful poems and write-ups. People are wowed, comments will begin to fly here and there, "this is deep", "Wow! Amazing!", "You should write a book" e.t.c The comments seems to be the reward for their talent and that spurs them to keep writing. But then, reality hits them like a blow in the face and they're injured by the fact that the comments is not paying their bills. Abi na comment we go chop?
So what next? Depression finally finds a resting place in them. You begin to see those dark poems. Mind you, there is more to depression than money induced depression but the purpose of this post is to educate people that money induced depression is real. Furthermore, what happens to the writers who are not students? Have you heard a writer introduce his/herself? Mehn! You'll begin to hear "I'm a writer, spoken word artiste, architect, actress, engineer, content creator" Only you?
Do I still need to explain to you that the writing/poetry is not paying the bills? It's obvious. Writers who are not students have side hustles... Something to keep mind and body together. Ask me, I'll tell you. Don't be surprised if you see me inside hot sun in ikeja with a sack of shoes that just landed. Fine, Writing is my passion. Writing to me means healing. Writing gave me a voice when I was almost voiceless. Writing made me the confident woman I am today. But you see ehn, nothing makes me more happier than hearing that my container of shoes and bag don land (in igbo man's voice).
Last year, we recorded the death of three Nigerian writers who committed suicide. Could it be as a result of money induced depression? I wouldn't know one thing I know is that money induced depression is real among writers. So if you think you have money induced depression as a writer, you can gladly take a break from writing rather than killing yourself slowly. Nur worry, police no go catch you. And to you readers, If 5 people pay 100 naira to read a poem, that's 500 naira, isn't it? 10 people equals 1000 naira. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
Dear reader, Enough of the accolades. Try to pay for our services. You can help us stop money induced depression. Just so you know, The Obianuju series is out. Pay 100 naira to my account if you want to read it. Send your evidence of payment and I'll send it to you. E hard you for body abi? Na so e dey be. Na una spoil Nigeria.