NIGERIA: To the Me I Once Knew

In a letter to her younger self, Bolutife shares how she chose small acts of courage to reclaim her power. 

You’ll realize, one day, that the scars you see around you—physical and emotional—are not signs of weakness but of survival.

Dear Younger Me,

I see you sitting quietly in the corner, pretending not to notice what’s happening around you. The arguments behind closed doors, the whispers about bruises hidden beneath makeup, the silent tears that no one acknowledges. You tell yourself it’s none of your business, that this is just how the world works. But deep down, you know better.

Though I’ve written a letter to you before, with the way things are, I feel the need to share these words with you again. Some messages bear repeating, and this one is too important to let fade.

Let me tell you something that I wish someone had told you back then: It's okay to be angry. Angry that people are suffering in silence. Angry that no one seems to care. Angry that you feel too small, too powerless to do anything about it.

The truth is, YOU ARE NOT POWERLESS.

One day, you’ll look back and realize that all those moments of doubt, fear, and frustration were preparing you for something bigger. You’ll find your voice, and when you do, it will be louder and stronger than you ever imagined. You’ll use it to speak out against the things that once made you feel helpless.

You’ll learn that activism isn’t just grand speeches or protests in the streets—though those things matter, too. Activism is in the little things: asking a friend if they’re okay, teaching someone to value themselves, refusing to laugh at a joke that belittles someone else. Activism is choosing courage over comfort, even when it’s hard.

Of course, there will be moments when you doubt yourself, moments when the world feels too heavy, and the fight feels endless. But you’ll also witness the beauty in the strength of your character—women rising up, communities standing together, stories of survival that will move you to tears and action.

You might not be able to change everything, and that’s okay. Changing one person’s story, even if it’s just your own, is enough to start a ripple.

So, my dear, speak up, even when your voice shakes. Offer kindness, even when it feels like the world is full of hate. Fight, not just for others, but for yourself—for the life you deserve and the world you want to see.

You’ll realize, one day, that the scars you see around you—physical and emotional—are not signs of weakness but of survival. And you’ll understand that survival is the first step to victory.

The world needs you. The world needs all of us. And even though it feels impossible sometimes, I promise you this: The light you carry inside you is stronger than any shadow.

With all the love and strength I can muster,

Your Older Self

STORY AWARDS

This story was published as part of World Pulse's Story Awards program. We believe every woman has a story to share, and that the world will be a better place when women are heard.