What I’d Tell Someone Younger Than Me

Daily writing prompt

What’s the best advice you’d give to someone younger than you?

View all responses

Learn how to say no. It will save you from a lot of things in the future. Never become a people pleaser, people will still be themselves and move on with their lives regardless of your sacrifices.

Put yourself first. It’s okay to be “selfish” sometimes, as long as you’re not hurting anyone. Prioritizing your peace, your growth, and your boundaries will take you far in life.

Also, understand this early: when people show you who they are the first time, believe them. Don’t ignore red flags hoping things will change with time.

Don’t wait until things become unbearable before you leave. Learn to read the room, trust your instincts, and walk away when something is no longer working for you.

Protect your energy. Protect your time. Protect your peace.

What’s a Song That Always Puts You in a Good Mood?

This is actually a hard question for me because there are a few songs that do this… but one song came to mind immediately.

“Bad Boys” – Flo Rida & Alexandra Burke

Every time I hear that song, I can’t help but smile. It just has that fun, energetic vibe that hits right away. It’s one of those tracks that brings back good energy no matter where you are or what you’re doing.

It’s not even something I overthink, it just works. The beat, the vibe, everything about it just puts me in a better mood instantly.

That said, I do have a few other songs that do the same thing for me. Different moods, different moments… but still that same feeling of happiness when they come on.

Music really has a way of doing that, lifting your mood without even trying.

Daily writing prompt

What’s a song that always puts you in a good mood?

View all responses

The First Books I Ever Finished and Still Remember

There’s something special about the first books you read as a child. Even when the details fade with time, the feelings they left behind often stay with you for years.

When I think about the first books I ever finished, two titles come to mind: The Delinquent by Mohammed Sule, published by the famous Pacesetters Publisher, and another book called The Gypsy, although I can no longer remember the author’s name.

I was around nine years old when I read them.

The Delinquent is the one I remember more clearly. Written by Nigerian author Mohammed Sule, it tells the story of a young man whose rebellious nature leads him down a difficult path. As a child, I may not have fully understood all the themes, but the story left an impression on me. It was one of those books that made me realize that actions have consequences and that the choices we make can shape our future.

The second book, The Gypsy, is much hazier in my memory. I honestly cannot recall much of the plot anymore. What has survived the passage of time is simply the title itself. Somehow, it stayed with me all these years, even as most of the story disappeared from memory.

What Makes You Question Reality?

I read someone’s post recently about how they began to question reality when close friends, people who once felt like their whole world slowly became strangers. That idea stayed with me.

For me, I started questioning reality when I began losing people I love.

When parents and loved ones are gone, it introduces a final kind of truth: you won’t see them again. It’s not just absence, it’s permanence. And somehow, that permanence makes everything feel sharper, more fragile.

It also starts to sink in when you watch people grow old in front of you. You realize you’re growing older too. Time isn’t something happening around you; it’s happening to you.

And then the questions begin to quietly show up.

Is this all there is?

One day, we will all be gone. And after that, generations will come who may never even know we existed. Our names, our stories, our everyday moments slowly fading from memory until they become nothing more than traces, if anything at all.

That is reality.

And maybe that’s what makes it so strange… and so hard to fully accept.

When do you feel most productive?

I tend to be most productive in the early hours of the morning, especially when I’m alone and the environment is quiet.

Silence helps me focus better and get my tasks done efficiently. On the other hand, loud noise or a distracting environment makes me uncomfortable and significantly reduces my productivity.

For me, a calm and quiet setting isn’t just preferable, it’s essential for doing my best work.

🖤

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

You think 10 years is far away, but you blink and it’s here. Let’s keep it short and simple…

In 10 years, I hope to have achieved stability and be traveling the world, seeing all the places I’ve always dreamed of. I want to have built something for myself that no longer depends on survival, something sustainable and fulfilling.

Most importantly, I want to look back and see growth, resilience, and consistency. I want to know that all the sacrifices, late nights, and efforts were not wasted, but instead shaped the life I always dreamed of.

What Truly Makes a Person Unique?

Daily writing prompt

Which aspects do you think makes a person unique?

View all responses

For the longest time, I thought what made someone special was their appearance. I was drawn to people who looked great, who had that instant “wow” factor. But over the years, I’ve learned that looks can only take you so far.

I’ve met handsome people whose character hurt others, they seemed impressive at first, but their actions revealed a completely different story. That’s when it hit me: true uniqueness isn’t about your physique; it’s about who you are inside. Your character, your kindness, and how you treat people that’s what leaves a lasting impression.

Beauty fades, but character endures. And that’s the kind of uniqueness that really matters.

…but I still fall for looks.

With all my love

duchessng 🖤

Learning to Say “No” Without Guilt

Daily writing prompt

How often do you say “no” to things that would interfere with your goals?

View all responses

I’ve always found it hard to say no to people. Whether it’s a friend asking for a soft loan, a colleague requesting a favor, or someone needing help, I often say yes even when it goes beyond my budget or capacity.

The truth is, this has caused me to suffer more times than I can count.

But I’m learning.

I’m learning that saying no doesn’t make me unkind, it makes me responsible. I’ve started setting boundaries, and when it’s difficult to say it verbally, I communicate it clearly through text or email. It’s not always easy, but I remind myself that protecting my peace and stability comes first.

I still struggle with the guilt sometimes, but I’m growing into someone who understands that “no” is also a complete sentence and a necessary one.

What Do You Wish You Could Do More Every Day?

I wish I could live more.

And when I say “live more,” I don’t mean doing something extraordinary every single day. I mean something much simpler, yet somehow much harder; being fully present in the moment.

I wish I could wake up and just be without the constant weight of tomorrow pressing on my mind. Without overthinking every decision or wondering if I’m making a mistake. Without that quiet anxiety about the future, money, or retirement lingering in the background.

Living more, to me, means allowing myself to feel happiness without questioning it. It means laughing without guilt, resting without pressure, and enjoying moments without calculating what comes next.

Sometimes, it feels like we’re always preparing for life instead of actually living it. We plan, we worry, we analyze and in the process, we miss the very moments we’re working so hard to secure.

I don’t want to just get through the days. I want to experience them.

To notice the little things.
To breathe deeply.
To let go, even if just for a while. I wish I could live more, freely, fully, and without fear.

With all my love

duchessng🖤

What Is the Last Thing I Learned?

This is a long read… Hope you have the patience.

Learning never truly stops. When someone asks, “What is the last thing you learned?” I can honestly say that I am still learning every day. Recently, I started a course on customer engagement, conflict management, and de-escalation, and it has already had a profound impact on how I approach my work and interactions. While I can’t call it the last thing I learned, it is one of the most significant lessons in my professional journey so far.

The course has taught me that customer engagement is more than just responding to questions or resolving complaints. It is about creating meaningful connections, understanding concerns, and ensuring that every customer feels valued. I am learning how to cultivate a mindset that places the customer at the heart of every interaction. The old adage that “the customer is always right” takes on a new meaning here. It isn’t about whether they are correct in every detail, but about recognizing that customers are the foundation of every successful business. Without them, there is no business, and acknowledging that truth changes how I approach every conversation.

Difficult situations with customers are inevitable. Frustration, confusion, and even anger can arise for a variety of reasons, and handling these situations professionally is a skill I am slowly mastering. I am learning to understand the reasons behind customer frustration, respond with empathy, and choose my words carefully. Knowing when to use “I” or “we” in a conversation, recognizing when a customer is becoming upset, and taking steps to prevent escalation are all part of the learning process. Every challenging interaction is an opportunity to grow, and I am discovering the importance of staying calm and focused no matter the situation.

Another lesson I am internalizing is that it is okay not to have all the answers immediately. When I encounter a question I don’t know the answer to, the best approach is honesty, coupled with a commitment to find the correct information and follow up promptly. This builds trust, credibility, and transparency with the customer, and it reinforces the importance of being solution-oriented rather than defensive.

Ultimately, this course has reminded me that customer service excellence is a journey, not a destination. Learning these skills is ongoing, and it will continue to shape how I engage with customers. So when asked what the last thing I learned was, my answer is simple: I am still learning. The journey continues, and I am excited to see how each lesson will help me provide better experiences and build stronger relationships.

With all my love,

duchessng.