Broken Yet Blooming: Celebrating 4 Years On Hive.

Four years ago, I joined Hive with the help of my amazing brother @vickoly & @monica-ene. Even though I didn't really understand what it was all about back then, I was just curious. I only knew it to be a place/space where people all over the world share their stories, ideas, experiences, and all. What I didn't know was that it would later become a place that will help shape and rebuild me.

Back then when I just joined, I was battling with a serious ailment (Hirschsprung disease), it was one I went through for years, a condition that made me undergo several surgeries, endless tests, X-rays, various injections and drugs. It was as if I and pain were paired together, hand in hand and I had gotten used to it. It reached an extent where it was all about my health, I lost touch with people, I had to drop out of school, and that was how I began distancing myself from people. I was already on here then too, but then, I stopped writing and posting too.

I wasn't just sick physically, it has had it's till on my mental health as well, I was lost emotionally. That feeling of seeing your family all confused, running helter skelter, borrowing, spending just because of you wasn't an easy one to bear, I was just a burden. There are time that I cry and almost felt like just going to rest in the great beyond, as I felt my existence was causing too much pain not just for me, but even to family.

And for almost two years (if not more than), I disappeared from hive. I stopped writing, I didn't post anything. Maybe because I never believed I could return to who I once was. My body was healing, but my heart wasn't. But we all know how life does its thing, it can come giving you a second chance, and that it did for me.

When I began to get better and can do certain things, I was told I couldn't go back to continuing with my handwork (tiling), it was one I loved so much, having to create various designs to beautiful homes, offices, walls, floors and all. So, I decided to go back to school. It wasn't easy, but I had to encourage myself, sickness has done enough already, it has taken enough time, it's time to take charge of my life too, I can't allow it take my future. I fought my way through school, it wasn't easy, but today, I'm proud I made that decision, and I can boldly say it today that I'm a graduate. I find people saying it's not an achievement, but to me, it is. I knew the inconvenience I had to go through to get achieve it. Coupled with the fact that I didn't make it known in school that I was going through any health challenge.

So, after I graduated sometimes last year, I left home and went to stay with @vickoly. He saw my weakness, and saw my spark too, he noticed how much I still love to write. He saw the various things I do post on my WhatsApp status and he encouraged me to come back to hive. It wasn't a long speech, but it was enough to reignite in me that spark. Then, Inleo often runs monthly writing prompts, and that was what I focused on.

So, October last year, I returned fully. And guess what, hive embraced me as if I never left in the first place. I began to write, stories, experiences, and a whole lot of things. Beyond readers and all, I found friends on here. He introduced me to the Neoxian City discord family too, and I can say they are the best. They welcomed me with open arms, and I can say they've been one of the biggest reasons I wouldn't stop/quit. They remind me of the fact that I'm still seen, and that I belong. They encourage, love and make you feel alive.

Hive has really helped me much more then I can say, it has helped me financially as well. Through the rewards I earn, I have been able to do a lot of things for myself without bothering anyone. Though those things (phone, PB, apartment.....to mention but a few)may look small to some, but for me, it's big, it's victory, it's proof that consistency and faith can rebuild what sickness and pain tried to destroy.

When I go through some people's blogs here, I'd wish I hadn't left then, I would have grown a lot now, but then, I am happy I returned when I did, I'm happy I didn't lose interest nor give up.

It might look somehow, but if you've walked in my shoes... through surgeries, self doubt, and all and you remain standing, you will know it's everything. Hive has become much more than just a platform to me, it's a community/family that has kept me going. Each and every post, upvote, comment and friends I get is an encouragement to keep going that I'm seen.

So, as I mark my 4th year on hive, I'm grateful first to @vickoly who believed in me, I'm grateful to @hive for such an amazing space to find myself again and a big thanks to everyone who's been a part of my journey. Just so you know, I'm still growing, learning, healing and open to correction.

And to all who might have been thinking things over and feel like giving up, please don't, you will definitely tell your story some day too. Keep on holding on, keep on believing, whatever the situation may be like. You will be victorious, it's just a phase and it will pass. Here I'm, a living proof that even broken things can shine and standout.

All pictures are mine, 1st is a screenshot of my comment section here, while 3rd, 5th and 6th image are screenshots of my WhatsApp status.