Hi Hive
To even put this up is annoying and sometimes I get to sit quietly and ask myself a difficult question: Where do I go from here?
Nigeria is now becoming a more difficult place to live and survive. Living in Nigeria presently is not easy for anyone, it feels even more uncertain for someone like me, an artisan, a plumber who depends on daily jobs while the cost of living keeps rising. Fuel prices skyrocketing, food prices are going up, transportation is getting more expensive, and even the smallest household needs now require more money than before. Yet, right now, the income coming in is not just low but feels almost nonexistent at this moment.
The truth is, I’m not a salary earner. I don’t have the comfort of a fixed monthly income. Even though, it's tough for salary earners to survive in this present Nigeria economy where the minimum wage $40 (₦77k) is not enough to live on for a month. And me, my survival solemnly depends on people calling me for plumbing jobs, fixing pipes, repairing leakages, installing systems. And that’s how I feed my family, pay bills, and if possible try to save something small for the future.
But recently, the calls have stopped coming.
And that silence is loud.
The issue is not because I don’t know my work because I'm not the only artisan in this kind of situation. I have built my skills over time, gained experience, and delivered quality service to those who trusted and believe in me. But the reality is, people themselves are also struggling. Many households are also cutting down on expenses, postponing repairs, or trying to fix things themselves just to save money. So, services like mine are no longer a priority for many.
This situation has put me in a very tight corner.
There are days when I wake up with hope, expecting my phone to ring… but it doesn’t. Hours pass, and nothing happens. As the day goes by, that hope slowly turns into worry and headache for me. Because my responsibilities are still there irrespective, I need to put on the table for my family, bills need to be paid, and life does not pause or slow down just because work is not coming in.
What makes it even more harder is knowing that saving money right now feels almost impossible or it's even impossible. Because how do you save when you are struggling to even meet basic needs? The same money that should be used to plan for a better future is now being used just to survive day by day.
It’s really frustrating and draining.
And sometimes, it feels like I'm stuck in a place I didn’t choose.
I’ve even thought about the idea of minimum wage, but that really feels far from my reality. At least salary earners have something predictable, even if it’s not enough. But for artisans like me, income is unpredictable. Some weeks can be good, others completely dry. And right now, it feels like a bear mat that is lasting too long.
Yet, despite all these challenges, I know I cannot give up when due to responsibilities on my shoulder.
This situation I found myself has pushed me to reflect deeply and I have started to ask myself some serious questions: How can I make myself more visible? How can I attract more clients? Are there new skills I can add to increase my opportunities?
Maybe it’s time to promote my work more, both offline and online. Maybe it’s time to connect with more people, learn new techniques, or even explore related services that can bring in income. Because waiting alone is no longer enough right now.
I have also realized that resilience is not just about enduring hardship but it is about finding means to adapt, even when things seem impossible.
Yes, things are really tough right now. Yes, the struggle is real. But I still believe there is a way forward.
So where do I go from here?
I go forward with determination and with the willingness to learn, relearn, to adjust, and to keep pushing.
I go forward because my family depends on me to survive, and giving up is not even an option.
And maybe, just maybe, this difficult moment is going to shape me into someone stronger, wiser, and more prepared for the opportunities that will come again.
Until then, I will keep going… one day at a time.
Thanks for stopping by on my blog and have a wonderful day