If Worry Paid, We’d All Be Landlords in Banana Island

Dear Lagosians,

Let’s talk about worry, that uninvited guest that shows up at 2 a.m. when NEPA has taken light, your data has finished, your landlord’s “hello, good morning” sounds suspicious, and your alert from the bank is not money but “maintenance fee.”

Worry has become our unofficial roommate in Lagos. It doesn’t pay rent, it eats our peace of mind, and still expects us to host it like VIP.

Worry is a thief.
Not the pickpocket at Oshodi kind, but worse. Worry robs you silently of your joy, your sleep, your creativity, your present moments. It’s like scrolling endlessly through Twitter threads about things that may never happen, while your jollof rice is burning in the kitchen of today.

You’re worried about the economy, but haven’t eaten since morning. Worried about your boss, but your deliverables are fine. Worried about if they like you back, but they’re still liking your story every night.

We carry bags of “what if?” everywhere we go, like we’re dragging designer anxiety up and down Third Mainland Bridge.

Here’s the truth: Worry doesn’t solve problems. It multiplies them.
Your mind starts with “What if I don’t get the job?”
And ends up in “Maybe I’ll end up selling boiled egg in traffic.”
From no job to traffic eggpreneur. That escalated fast, didn’t it?

So how do we stop worrying?
Here’s the Lagos-approved, common-sense survival kit:

1. Catch the thought: When worry starts, don’t invite it in. Question it. Ask: Is this true? Or am I just tired and overthinking?
2. Do what you can, leave the rest: If you’ve done your part, rest. The rest belongs to God, grace, not your strength.
3. Limit comparison Social media is filtered reality. I go lie for you? That influencer saying “soft life” might be living on borrowed data, don’t be pressured.
4. Laugh often: Worry hates laughter. Watch that skit. Call that friend. Even a bad joke will do; Why did the Danfo driver apply for a tech job? Because he already knows how to code-switch.
5. Breathe. And be present: That amala you’re eating deserves full attention. Worry can wait.

Dear Lagosians, you cannot worry and win.
You’re already surviving insecurity, office wahala, bus fare and food stuff inflation, ASUU strike memories, you deserve medals, not migraines.

So this weekend, challenge yourself: Catch one worry, drag it to court in your mind, and sentence it to 10 years imprisonment. No pardon!

After all, as Mama Nkechi said at the buka the other day:
“If worry dey solve problem, my neighbor for don build estate for Banana Island.”

Take it easy. Live. Laugh. Let go.
Your peace is too precious to be held hostage by imagination.

With love,
A fellow survivor of Third Mainland Traffic & Thoughts

#DearLagosians
#WorryNot
#SurvivingLagosWithLaughter