Traffic & Triggers

The first time I ever got stuck in Lagos traffic, I felt uneasy. It was like my body wasn’t built for this. Then came the trickles of sweat, the slow suffocation of being sandwiched between two strangers, and the frustration of realising that moving an inch might take 30 minutes to 1 hour. That was the day I officially became a window-seat advocate 😭

If you’ve lived in Lagos, you know traffic isn’t just about cars. It’s about control (or the lack of it). You can’t move, you can’t rush, you can’t even escape (Well, except if you choose to trek). You’re just there, trapped and trying not to lose your mind. 

Funny enough, that’s exactly how our emotions work sometimes.
We get stuck, mentally. Overwhelmed by thoughts, packed tight with worries, and sweating under the weight of everything we can’t control. And when something small happens, a comment, a delay, a reminder and boom, we react! Because inside, we’ve been stuck in emotional traffic for a while.

Emotional triggers are like Lagos drivers; they show up uninvited and test your patience. But here’s the truth: traffic doesn’t mean failure, and being triggered doesn’t mean you’re broken. It just means your emotions need space to move again.

In traffic, rushing doesn’t help. You honk all you want, but you’re still not moving. Same with your mind, the more you fight your emotions, the more stuck you feel.

Pull Over. When you feel triggered, don’t force yourself to “stay strong.” Pause. Breathe. Let the wave pass.

Check Your Route. Ask yourself what’s really behind the reaction. Sometimes anger is sadness wearing a hard face.

Finally, enjoy the Ride! Play some music, watch those reels you've been procrastinating, study, whatever good thing will make you feel at ease.  Recenter! 

- Nene From MANI