Northern Nigerian Culture: Why I Started This Blog

Northern Nigeria: A Blog.

It took me a minute since my last post to pick up my laptop to write anything down, I feel it is too early to start having writer’s block, or maybe it’s the imposter syndrome creeping in. Either way, I knew I must leave this trance, return to my groove, and continue this task because it is essential. Also, it is a crucial conversation that needs to be had.

Hi guys! Welcome back to my blog. My name is Nuwaira, and I blog about social anxiety, mental wellness, and mental health. If you are new here, check out my introductory posts about social anxiety.

Today I want to talk about the ‘why’ of this blog. Why mental health? And most importantly, why specifically social anxiety?

It is no news that mental health disorders have become a menace worldwide. Around 13% of the global population is affected by mental health disorders, with approximately 971 million people, with anxiety and anxiety-related disorders being the most common.

In recent times, conversations around mental health and mental health disorders have been sparking across the world. Awareness is being created, so people are becoming more conscious and aware of their mental space and wellness, which is very important. However, the intensity and frequency of these conversations are yet to be adequate for our global population, especially in this corner of the world where I am typing this from.

One has to admit that Northern Nigeria is far left behind in many aspects of human advancement, but in particular, conversations around mental health are almost a myth. Keeping in mind the few people and organizations who have been raising these conversations, it remains a fact that we are still yet to scratch the surface.

This blog is for every young person who feels alone or feels like the world is shrinking and closing in on them, for every young person finding it difficult to navigate their emotions and feel like something is wrong with them, for every misfit, for the socially awkward, for those seeking self-awareness and self-confidence, and most importantly for the young Northern girl navigating life in a society that every system and the societal norm is rigged against her.

It is important to note and confront how deeply our cultural norms impact our mental structure and our lives as a whole, and it goes a long way to deciding how our lives eventually unfold and how we live.

While Northern Nigeria mothers and possess some of the most beautiful cultural practices, there exist some of the most harmful and primitive cultural norms that have long become a dead weight that needs shedding.

From child marriages to forceful arranged marriages, female genital mutilation, defending and upholding harmful patriarchal norms that condones violence and absolves perpetrators, and so much more, which we will delve deeper into in subsequent blog posts.

On this blog, I will also share my personal experiences and story time, how I handle situations and how I heal from them. So come along with me on this unprecedented journey as we unravel our deepest, most authentic selves while navigating life as misfits.

As always, this is a timely reminder that you are not alone! Feel free to reach out and seek professional help.

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. I hope it was informative, insightful, and most importantly, useful to you. Mental health is an important topic that affects us all, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts with you.

If you have any thoughts or comments, I encourage you to leave them in the comment box below. Your feedback is essential to me and helps me create content that is tailored to your needs.

If you found this post helpful, please subscribe to my newsletter for more resources and updates on mental health. You can also reach out to me via email if you have any questions or just want to chat. Remember, taking care of your mental health is important, and you are not alone.

Bye!