"I locked myself in a room, then a knock saved me".

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There are some days that start off like every other day, but somehow leave a lasting impact on your life. That’s what happened to me not too long ago. A normal day, no signs or warnings, but by evening, I was ready to throw in the towel.

Nothing major happened on the outside. If someone looked at me that day, they would’ve seen someone just going about their business. But inside, I was tired. Not sleepy tired, I mean mentally and emotionally drained. It felt like I was carrying a weight no one could see, and no matter how hard I tried, it just wouldn’t lift.

Earlier that day, I had received news that something I’d been working hard for didn’t pull through. I won’t go into too much detail, but I had invested time, energy, and a lot of hope into it. I had prayed and planned, thinking it was finally my time. But just like that, it slipped away. Rejected.

I came back home and just stayed in my room. No lights, no music, no phone, just silence. I stared at the ceiling wondering if any of this was worth it. Why keep trying? Why keep pushing when it always feels like the world is one step ahead and I’m just dragging behind?

It wasn’t even about that one thing. It was the buildup of many small failures, little disappointments, and quiet struggles that I never really talked about. And in that moment, everything just felt heavy. I didn’t cry. I just laid there feeling numb.

Then something unexpected happened. My little cousin, who was around for the weekend, came knocking. She knocked gently and said, “Are you okay? You didn’t come out to eat. I miss seeing your face.”

It sounds simple, but that sentence pulled me back from a very dark place. She had no idea what I was going through. She didn’t know how close I was to giving up. But her voice reminded me that I’m still seen. That even in my quiet moments, someone notices when I go missing.

That was the turning point. I got up. Not because I was suddenly fine, but because I realized something important: sometimes, showing up is enough. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to be strong all the time. Just showing up, even when it’s hard, is already a form of strength.

Since that day, anytime I feel overwhelmed, I think of that knock on the door. That tiny voice that unknowingly saved me from giving in. And I remind myself that I matter, even if it’s just to one person. That’s enough.

Everyone goes through silent battles. Some we talk about, others we keep to ourselves. But in the end, what matters is that we keep going. It’s okay to pause, to rest, to cry. But don’t let those moments define your entire story.

If you’re reading this and you’ve ever felt like giving up, I hope this reminds you that you’re not alone. You’re stronger than you think. And someone out there, maybe even someone you don’t expect, is encouraged by your life, just by you being here.

So yeah, that was the day I almost gave up. But I didn’t. And I’m glad I didn’t.

Made in canva pro by me.