If belief were a feeling, I’d have abandoned it halfway through my last Monday morning Zoom call. One bad mood, one bad email, or one too many traffic lights on red? Belief would be gone like leftover jollof rice in a house full of cousins.
But real belief isn’t something you stumble into when you’re feeling inspired. It’s not that magical thing that shows up when your playlist hits the right note and the sun is shining just right through the window.
Belief is a decision. A daily one.
And most times? You choose it when you least feel like it.
Let Me Be Honest.
I’ve believed in myself when I was broke. I’ve believed in my dreams when they looked like a joke. I’ve believed in better days when the current one was a dumpster fire.
Not because I’m some overly optimistic unicorn but because I’ve learned that if I only moved when I felt good, I’d still be stuck on Level 1 of life’s game. Belief is what gets you to Level 2. And 3. And beyond.
Here’s How I Frame It:
- Belief is choosing to try again after failure.
- Belief is sending the proposal, even though the last one was ignored.
- Belief is waking up and deciding, “Let me give this one more go.”
Because let’s be real life isn’t always motivating. Some days are just… meh. And on those days, you have to make a decision, not ride a feeling.
So What Helps Me Believe?
- Reminding myself of the bigger picture. My ‘why’ can’t be based on the weather or my bank balance.
- Looking back at the receipts. Times I’ve survived before. Won before. Grew stronger before.
- Speaking it out loud. I’m not afraid to say, “I believe better is ahead.” Even when I whisper it through tears.
Because belief is the engine that pulls vision into reality. Without it? You’re just dreaming. With it? You’re building.
So no matter how you feel today, make the decision to believe again. Not because it’s easy. But because your future self is counting on you.