Akinyi

BY THE GRACE

[Wanjiku @Wanjikugrace_]

Loving people. I get anxious and controlling when I care about someone because part of me thinks if I just manage everything perfectly they won’t leave.

[Flo @apiyoflo]

The fear of loss. I have a toddler and some nights I stay up just watching them sleep because the thought of anything happening to them makes me feel physically sick.

[Amek🇰🇪 @raphaelamek]

The ambition piece. I’ve been so locked in on a goal that I forgot to ask myself if I still actually want it, or if I’m just used to chasing it.

[Amondi @Amondi_y]

All three, but work is winning. I don’t even like my job that much anymore, I’m just scared of what happens if I stop performing at this level.

[Yuri💫♡ @yuri_xys]

Ambitions without sacrifice. I turned down a trip with my siblings last month because of a deadline. They went without me and I still feel weird about it.

[Phenny Atieno @PhennyAtieno_]

The ambition one. I want kids and a calmer life, but my career is finally taking off and I’m scared if I step back even a little I’ll lose the momentum I fought for.

[Pauline Anyango @paulineanyango_]

Fear of loss. My best friend moved across the country and I didn’t realize how much I was bracing for the friendship to fade until it actually started to.

[Gilian @GilianAdhiambo]

Ambition. I have a clear goal but the path to it keeps asking me to miss birthdays, dinners, and basically any normal human moment.😭

[Harriet @Harrietouma21]

Ambitions. Every time I try to slow down I feel like I’m falling behind everyone else who’s still grinding.

[Bella @Bellaahiambo]

The ambition one. I’ve been so focused on building something that I keep postponing the actual life I said I was building it for.

[Fiona @Fiona_awuor]

Work. I’m in a field where the culture is “if you’re not working, someone else is getting ahead of you.” It’s exhausting trying to not buy into that.

[Sweeny @sweenyachieng]

Loving without fear. My mom got sick last year and even though she’s okay now, I still panic if she doesn’t answer the phone by the second ring.

[Beatrice @Beatriceadhi]

Fear of loss. I pull away from people when I care about them too much. It’s a messed up protection strategy and I hate that I still do it.

[Wahu @Ngigiwah]

All three, honestly. But the fear of loss is the loudest right now. My partner travels a lot for work and the days before they leave I get weirdly distant without meaning to.

[June @Juneotieno_]

Loving people without the fear. Lost my dad two years ago and now every time someone I care about is quiet for a few hours my brain immediately goes somewhere dark.

[Auma @Aumachloe4]

The work one. I tell myself I’ll stop at 6 and then it’s 11pm and I’m still answering Slack because I’m scared the whole thing will fall apart if I don’t.

[Awuor @Awuorsara100]

Ambitions. I want a different life so badly that I’ve started feeling guilty for taking a full weekend off. Like rest is somehow betraying future me.

[Sco @stickerscola]

Work. I’m freelance and “just one more project” has become my entire personality. I don’t even know what I do for fun anymore.

[Akinyi @Akinyi_fai]

Work has completely eaten me. I had a breakdown in the car last week because I realized I hadn’t had a conversation that wasn’t about work in almost two weeks.

[Nora @nora_mindnotes]

Which of these feels the hardest to hold onto right now?

[Nora @nora_mindnotes]

Which of these feels the hardest to hold onto right now?