The Courage to Pause: Rethinking the Gap Year

I remember one time in my university days when I was so frustrated and mentally down. This was a period when I had a lot to do, as I was the class representative, had upcoming tests, and my project was still incomplete. I had a lot going, yeah? At that time, taking a gap year might seem like taking a risk that I might regret, but I did because I wanted to make sure my mental health wasn't at stake. Now let's talk about the main topic, because what I wrote about is just an illustration to prepare your mind for what you are about to read.

---

---

Now, hear me out. What if the smartest thing you could do right now… is nothing? For people who always want things done immediately, this might seem as crazy, especially for people who are extremely proactive.

In a world obsessed with momentum, racing from one academic milestone to the next, or jumping straight from one job to another, the idea of taking a break can feel counterintuitive; it might make a person feel like they are not making any progress or even dangerous. We’re taught to keep moving, to stay productive, and to avoid “wasting time.” In my country, as a young guy, taking a gap break might seem like you have given up in the eyes of people, even when you are trying to rearrange and make a new plan. So when someone says they’re taking a gap year, reactions can range from admiration to judgment.

But one question we fail to ask ourselves is that "Is a gap year really a pause on progress? Or could it be the very thing that fuels it?"

A gap year has the potential to offer growth that structured paths often miss. Yet, there's a fine line between purposeful rest and passive delay, so if one is not careful, instead of a purposeful rest, they might be wasting time. So, is taking a gap year a sign of courage and self-awareness—or just an elegant excuse for procrastination?

The truth is that, after an achievement if one has the urge to push further and they have the strength and mental power to push forward, then they can especially if they see a good opportunity in front of them, trust me thats not the time to take a break but if one is feeling exhusated after an achievement, then there is nothing bad in taking a break.

---

---

After I graduated from school, I saw most of my friends rushing to register for their NYSC program. A lot of people even talk down on me, asking me, "What are you waiting for? You don't know you are getting old."

I didn't allow these words to move me because I know where I am going and the path that has brought me to the place I was standing at that moment. It wasn't an easy path, and it was time to take a break and reorganize myself.

Most of them ended up in the place they didn't want, but there I was watching and doing a lot of research, planning, and after many months had passed. I was where I wanted to be, and there were a lot of benefits. I even got to have a Nigerian Educational Minister as a mentor, who I still speak with today.

So, if you're at a crossroads, feeling pressured to move just because everyone else is, pause and ask yourself: Am I moving because it’s right for me or just because it’s expected? Taking a gap year isn’t about giving up or falling behind. It’s about stepping back to move forward with clarity, purpose, and strength. The world may not always understand your decision, but it’s not the world that will live with the consequences, you will. Sometimes, the boldest move isn’t to keep running; it’s to stop, breathe, and choose your next step with intention.

---

---

Thanks for reading. My name is Fashtioluwa

Posted Using INLEO